th what
chief-butler Ganymede served his apprenticeship? Fine natures have all
in themselves, and do not require instruction. We are only cripples
with all our learning; we are tyrannized over by the four Faculties,
but life is no four-sided figure."

This, then, is our friend Knopf; and he was called "our friend Knopf"
in the best families of the land.

Knopf had just left off playing the flute, and was now sitting with his
writing-tablets upon his knee, looking sometimes, round upon the
landscape, sometimes writing rapidly a few words; then he would put his
pencil in his mouth, and seemed ruminating for some new turn of
expression. One could see the road for a great distance, leading from
the village, by the villa, to the neighboring hamlet. Now Knopf saw a
man on horseback coming towards him. He transformed speedily his flute
into a walking-stick again, concealed his tablets, and then hastened
across the vineyard down to the highway.

"Yes, he who sits a horse so well, he is just the right teacher for
him," said Knopf. He took off his hat; while still at a distance, the
rider nodded to him.

CHAPTER VIII.

A WALK IN THE OPEN AIR.

The rider approached, and was soon by the side of Knopf, who, unable to
utter a word, looked in surprise at the noble figure. Eric said,
however,--

"Have I the honor of seeing my colleague, Herr Knopf?"

"Yes, I am he."

Eric swung himself quickly from the saddle, and held out his hand.

"I thank you," he said; and at every word which he spoke, at every tone
of his voice, Knopf's face brightened; more and more knots and seams
showed themselves all over it, as Eric continued,--

"It was my intention to visit you very soon; but I did not want to do
so, until I had made my own independent observations on all sides."

"Very right," answered Knopf, "every judgment received from others is a
prejudice." With constantly increasing admiration, Knopf looked at
Eric, saying,--and the words sounded like a confession of love,--

"I am glad that you are really a handsome man. Ah, you may smile and
shake your head, but that counts a great deal in this family, and
especially with Roland. The Spartans had the wise law,--horrible
indeed, but embodying a deep principle--that no deformed child should
be allowed to live. All men ought properly to be handsome."

Eric placed his hand on Knopf's shoulder, unable to answer a word;
admir