e master of the living soul
of thy pupil, in which, with all thy heedful precaution, rude,
uncontrolled elements are at work. What then?

There is no security given for the whole future, and in the meantime,
what concerns us is to fulfil quietly and faithfully the duty of the
day.

CHAPTER XI.

THE FRUIT IS SET ON THE GRAPE-VINE.

There is stillness in the vineyards on the mountain-side, and no
persons are among the green rows, for the vines, which until now were
allowed free growth, have been tied up so that the blossoms may not
flutter about. The hidden blossom makes no show, but a sweet fragrance,
just faintly perceptible, is diffused through the air. Now, the vine
needs the quiet sunshine by day, and the warm breeze by night; the
bloom must be set as fruit, but the flavour, the aroma, and the
strength are not brought out until the autumn. After the fruit has
become set, storm and tempest may come; the fruit is vigorous, and sure
of attaining its future noble destiny.

Roland and Eric went hand in hand over the country, with no definite
object in view; the town was quiet, and the scattered country-houses
were deserted.

Bella, Clodwig, and Pranken had set out on a journey to Gastein, the
Major to Teplitz, the Justice with his wife and daughter to Kissingen.
Only the doctor remained at his post, and he is now alone, for his wife
has gone to visit her daughter and grandchildren. Eric had determined
at the very first, before he knew of the journey to the Baths and of
being alone, to decline every distraction and every connection with a
wide circle of acquaintance, wishing to devote himself exclusively and
entirely, with all his energies, to Roland. And so they were now
inseparably together, from early in the morning until bedtime.

He only who lives with nature, day in and day out knows all the changes
of light, so various and fleeting, and only he who lives exclusively
with one person knows thoroughly the sudden upspringings of thought,
when all is illuminated and stands out in prominent relief. Eric was
well aware that Roland frequently dwelt upon the pleasures and
dissipations of a life at the Baths, and that the youth had often to
force himself to a uniform round of duty, struggling and inwardly
protesting to some extent against it; but Eric looked upon it as the
prancing of an untamed horse, who resists bit and bridle, but soon is
proud of his trappin