, directly, and then came a confused jumble of Benjamin
Franklin, of Crassus, of Hiawatha, of the observations of storms by the
telegraphist, and of Bancroft's History of the United States.

Pranken nodded; he asked if Roland wrote often to Manna, and Roland
said yes.

Pranken now told him that he had trained a snow-white Hungarian horse
for Manna, and added:--

"You can tell her so. When you write, or not, as you please."

He knew, of course, that Roland was sure not to forget any information
which he was allowed to impart, especially if it was about a snow-white
horse with red trappings. Pranken promised that Roland should himself
ride the animal some day.

"Has it a name?" asked Roland.

Pranken smiled; he perceived that his communication had interested
Roland extremely, and he answered,--

"Yes, its name is Armida."

Just then Roland was called in, as he was needed for the sketch. When
the outline was completed, the drawing was laid aside for awhile.

In a half-confidential, half-commanding tone, Pranken asked Eric to go
out with him alone, and in a friendly, even unusually friendly manner,
he entered into a discourse upon Roland's education. And now, for the
first time, Eric heard Pranken speak seriously of his strict religious
convictions.

He was amazed. Was this all put on, in order to win more securely the
rich heiress educated in the Convent?

But it certainly was not necessary for Pranken, when no one could see
and remark upon it, in travelling, and at the Baths, to unite himself
so closely with ecclesiastics. Was it not rather probable that a
conversion had really taken place in this worldly man, and that upon
just such a nature the stability and unchangeableness of the Church
would take the surest hold?

"I consider it my duty, and you will give me the credit of considering
it a duty," said Pranken suddenly, laying his hand on his heart, "to
give you some confidential information."

"If I can do anything, I shall feel myself honored by your confidence;
but if I can be of no use, I would rather avoid an unnecessary share in
a secret."

Pranken was astonished at this reluctance, and was inclined to be
displeased, but he restrained himself, and continued, in a higher
tone:--

"You know that Herr Sonnenkamp--"

"Excuse me for interrupting you. Does Herr Sonnenkamp know that you are
making this confidential communication to me?"

"Good Heavens!" Pranken broke out,--"but no, I am wrong, I r