now in
his neighborhood, and then suddenly standing still, and with a
furtively watchful look, she said,--

"You will shortly see Fraeulein Sonnenkamp again."

"I?"

"Yes. You journey with us, do you not?"

"No one has so informed me."

Bella smiled.

"But surely you will be glad to see Fraeulein Sonnenkamp again?"

"I did not know that it was she when I met her."

Bella smiled again, and said,--

"I have seen enough of the world to have no prejudice. The daughter of
the house and my brother Otto--Ah, you know well enough what I wish to
say."

"No, gracious lady, you give me credit for too much wisdom."

"It should offend me if you are reserved towards me, and are on such
intimate terms with the outside acquaintances of the family. The
Major's housekeeper boasts of your being her favorite, and yet do you
know nothing of the private betrothal?"

"Not until this moment. I offer my congratulations, and I am proud,
gracious lady, that you initiate me with such confidingness into your
family affairs."

"Do you know," cried Bella quickly, "do you know that I promise myself
a great deal of pleasure from you?"

"From me? What can I do?"

"That is not my meaning, to speak in direct terms. I have thought a
great deal about you. You are of an impulsive disposition, but you are
still an enigma to me, and I hope that I also am to you."

"I had not allowed myself, indeed--"

"I allow you to allow yourself. Then, Herr Captain, or Herr Doctor, or
Herr Dournay, but, at any rate, Herr Neighbor, we will make a contract.
I shall try to resolve for myself the contradictions and oddities of
your nature, and make such investigations as I am able to; on the other
hand, I allow you to do the same with me. Do you not find this
attractive?"

"Attractive and dangerous."

Bella straightened herself up, and Eric continued:--

"Dangerous for me, for you know what friend Hamlet says, that if our
deserts are known, 'who can escape a whipping?'"

"I am glad that you are not polite, but neither should you be
diffident."

"I mean, that it might be dangerous for me, not for you."

"I am too proud to sell, or to throw away politeness, as the Austrian
proverb says."

"I am glad that you are too proud for it too."

"And now tell me in what way you saw Manna, and how she appeared to
you."

Eric narrated the casual meeting, and how he had first learned her name
through the daughter of the Justice.

"Ah, indeed, indeed, Lin