ever have fancied spending there a day of his life, or a bright
evening.

Sonnenkamp's letter made a wholly different impression; he authorized,
Eric, in case he thought it worth while, to take the journey to
Biarritz with Roland.

"My father will like it, too, that you have received so much honor; the
nun, indeed, who accompanied Manna, said that he would not take it
well, that you had made yourself so notorious."

Eric looked disturbed. The feeling of servitude and dependence came
over him. He had pledged his whole personal being to Sonnenkamp's
service, and in all his actions he must first ask himself the question,
how they may perhaps be taken by his master.

The whole day was now strewed over with ashes, and in place of the
lofty feelings that had animated him, he now experienced a degree of
depression of spirit.

CHAPTER XIV.

ONE'S FELLOW-MAN.

Again the days flowed quietly on in work and recreation. One day Claus
came and asked Roland to keep his promise of showing him the whole
villa from top to bottom.

"Why do you want to see it?" asked Eric.

"I should like for once to see all the things which rich people have,
to know what they do with all their money."

A knavish glance shot from the huntsman's eye, as he spoke. Eric gave
the requested permission; he would have preferred to send a servant,
but he went himself with the man, of whom he felt a sort of dread, not
liking to leave him alone with Roland. He could scarcely give a reason
for his uneasiness, except that the manner in which the huntsman dwelt
upon the rich and poor might confuse Roland's mind.

They went through all the stories of the house, and Claus, who hardly
dared to put his foot down, kept saying,--

"Yes, yes, all this can be had for money! what can't be got for money?"

In the great music-hall, he stood on the platform, and called to Eric
and Roland:

"Herr Captain, may I ask a question?"

"If I can answer it, why shouldn't you?"

"Tell me fairly and honestly, what would you do, if you--you are a
liberal-minded man and a friend of humanity--what would you do, if you
were the owner of this house and so many millions?"

The huntsman's loud voice resounded through, the great hall with a
discordant echo, which seemed as if it would never cease.

"What would you do?" he repeated. "Do you know no answer?"

"It is not necessary for me to give you one."

"All r