give Roland a
friendly glance when he entered, and then quietly keep on with
his work. The master praised him very highly to Roland, who, being
desirous of doing something for him, presented him with his handsome
pocket-knife. It contained many instruments within it, and much
delighted the poor mute.

Roland told Eric what he had seen, and what thoughts had come into his
mind. He had noticed that the workmen had their food brought them, from
a great distance, by old women and little children, and asked whether
no better arrangement could be made for them.

Eric looked at the boy with unsympathizing eyes as he spoke. How he
would once have rejoiced in this proof of his pupil's interest in the
welfare of his fellow-men; but now he seemed wholly absorbed in other
matters.

A beautifully engraved card brought to Wolfsgarten a piece of news
that proved a fertile subject of conversation,--the betrothal of the
Wine-count's daughter with the son of the Court-marshal. It seemed an
extraordinary step on the part of the young man, who was suffering with
a mortal disease, but still more extraordinary that the lady, a fresh
young girl, overflowing with life and health, should have made up her
mind to such a union. Lina, who was well versed in the private history
of every one in the neighborhood, accounted for it by saying that the
Wine-count's daughter had always expressed a great desire to be a
widowed baroness. There was a deep undertone of meaning, a something
not wholly expressed, in Bella's way of speaking of this connection,
particularly when addressing Eric, which seemed to take for granted
that he would understand what she half concealed.

The newspaper brought another piece of intelligence, the return of the
Prince's brother from America, where he had been a careful observer;
and his bringing with him for the Prince a freed slave, in the person
of a handsome African.

While they were still discussing the impression which a sight of the
American Republic must make on a German prince, Roland came in from the
forest, exclaiming,--"I have him! I have him!"

He was holding the parrot by his claws.

"There you are again, my freed slave!" cried Bella, as the bird tore
himself from Roland's grasp, and, perching upon his mistress's
shoulder, began a violent scolding at Eric.

Clodwig did not allow himself to be easily interrupted in a discussion
he had once entered upon, and proceeded to state the results of his
observat