BOOK VII.-CHAPTER I. THE MOTHER IS HERE. "My mother is here!" A dewy atmosphere of inexhaustible freshness encompassed Eric; he heard the voice of a child awakening from a dream, and yet it was he himself who had spoken. He closed his eyes, and went back in thought to the days of childhood; all that had since excited and oppressed his spirit was torn into fragments, and had sunk out of sight. 66 My mother is here!" This was now a call of duty. Eric stood by Roland's bedside; it was never necessary for him to speak in order to waken him, for as soon as he looked directly upon him, Roland waked up. Now he opened his eyes, and his first words were: "Thy mother is here!" Eric heard these same words, now spoken by another, which he had heard in his own dreamy reverie, and, placing his hand upon the brow of the youth, he regarded him with a mingled feeling of joy and sorrow. Why has this poor rich boy not the blessedness of a mother's love? The new day received its consecration, for Eric and Roland began it by going to give a greeting to the mother. As they were walking along the river, Roland shouted across it : be earned, be struggled for through obsta cles; a mother's love alone one has always, unsought and undeserved." Now Bella came again into his mind. Eric hoped to have annihilated everything in himself that was false to human nature and to purity, and summoning up a greater strength than ever, a strength obtained by hard wrestling, he devoted himself to the work of instruction, and succeeded in projecting himself and the youth into the life of another, so that they forgot everything immediately around them. At noon, the realization of the mother's presence came to them as a fresh gift. They were in the garden together; Frau Ceres was not visible, and she begged, through Fräulein Perini, to be excused. Sonnenkamp smiled, for he knew that it had never occurred to Frau Ceres to send an excuse, and that Fräulein Perini had done it of her own accord; and it was well for her to do so, he thought, for the refractory disposition of his wife led her to turn away from the guests intruding upon her privacy, and her strong point was in declining; she allowed nothing to approach her. Fräulein Perini manifestly took very great pains to render herself as agreeable as possible to the Professor's widow, and was grateful as a child when she was shown how to execute a new piece of handiwork. The Cabinetsräthin served as a very ex fessorin, giving to her the position of honor which she might perhaps have attained as a right, but which was now conceded to her by sovereign grace; for the Cabinetsräthin repeatedly said, that the Professorin had been the first lady at the court in her day, and that even now, if the court circle wanted to specify any exalted excellence, they pointed to her. She found herself, at first, put under some degree of constraint by being placed upon such an elevated pinnacle, but she was grateful to the illustrious lady for her evident endeavor to convert her condition of dependence and poverty into one which was regarded with respectful homage. "Father Rhine! Eric's mother is here!" Eric smiled; the youth's face was all a-cellent means of bringing them together. glow. There was something exceedingly captivatThey went to the mother as to a temple, ing in the way in which she so very modestand they came away from her as from a tem-ly placed herself as the inferior of the Prople, for this gentle, peaceful spirit conveyed a benediction in every word, in every movement of the hand, in every glance of the eye; and she it was who appealed to the sanctity of established rule, and the persistent continuance in duty, for she said to them that she should regard it as the most perfect proof of love and loyal attachment, if they would go on with their work to-day just as they did yesterday; in every situation in life, whether in tribulation or in gladness, the appointed duty must be performed. They were again seated at their work, and they read together, to-day, the return of Ulysses to Ithaca. Eric was somewhat absent, for everything took the hue of the feeling that he was with his mother; he overcame this, he would be wholly engaged in what was before him, but he caught himself unexpectedly drawn away in this direction as he looked at Roland. "Ah! why can you not have the same feeling? The best refreshment and blessing for a human being is the mother's love. Every other love must be sued for, be obtained by conquest, Fräulein Perini herself was subdued by this character so calmly dignified, this countenance so placid and open, so beaming with youthful brightness, so benignantly radiant that nothing unworthy or impure could approach; and in this countenance the heart manifested itself, always young, full of the inspiration that had been awakened by the ideal life of her husband, and that was now called forth by the presence of her son. While they were together at noon, a letter came from Bella. She sent a welcome to the Professor's widow, and appointed the next day for a visit. She said the simplest things with such | fairy-tale, that she would be able to enter charming grace, that they appeared to be of into the court-circle, and it seemed to her great importance, and with such freshness, as if she were to be introduced into some that it seemed as if this were the first time heavenly sphere, where everything was rethey had ever been known. splendent and glorious, a perpetual round of godlike existence. Such was the idea Frau Ceres had entertained of court-life. She was aware now that this was an exaggerated notion, but, wherever she went, she Frau Dournay wished to send back an heard of this good fortune, and saw that answer by the messenger, but he had been every one was striving towards the courtimmediately sent off, no one knew why. circle, and she was angry with her husband, It was Sonnenkamp who had given the or- that his promises made so often and so long der, and when she despatched her letter ago had never been fulfilled. They came through a messenger attached to the house, to Europe; they had retired into seclusion, it strayed first into Sonnenkamp's cabinet, where people said everything was so beauwho understood how to open it very dex- tiful, but whence she was continually exterously, and who read with great satisfac-pecting to be summoned to Court. tion the reply which was no less decided Why is there so long delay? Why are than it was delicate in expression. Sonnen- people so distant? Even Bella, the only kamp smiled as he read where the lady laid one who exhibited any friendliness, treated stress upon the fact that she was the guest her like a parrot, like some strange bird of the family, received as such in the kindest whose bright plumage she was amused with, manner, and begged that the promised visit but with whom she had nothing more to do might be made to them, and to herself as their than from time to time to give it a lump of sugar, and address to it some casual, pretty word. Even the recollection of her having surpassed all others in splendor at the fête of Herr von Endlich was only half satisfactory to Frau Ceres. visitor. Sonnenkamp smiled again and again, for he confidently expected that the Professor's widow would compel the whole neighborhood to accept himself, finally, as a member, in full standing, of their social body. CHAPTER II. THE IGNORANT IS READY TO BE TAUGHT. SONNENKAMP went from his cabinet to the room of Frau Ceres; she sent word to him in the ante-chamber by a maid, that she desired to see no one. Paying no attention to the message, he went in and found her lying on the sofa, with the curtains drawn, so that in the large room there was a dusky twilight. Frau Ceres looked at him with her large dark eyes, but spoke not a word, only extending to him her delicate, small hand with long finger-nails. He kissed the hand, and then seated himself by the side of his wife. There was silence for some time, and then he began to explain to her that a nearer approach was to be made to the accomplishment of his plan through the guest now in the house, for this lady's hand would open the folding-doors of the apartments of the princely palace. At the mention of the palace, Frau Ceres raised herself a little; her restless look showed how she was stirred by hope; for, beyond the sea, and in all his devious wanderings, Sonnenkamp had always held before his wife this idea, like some bright one In the midst of all her apparent listlessness and want of interest in external things, she was continually harping upon thought, and this thought had been instilled into her by Sonnenkamp; but it had become stronger than he desired, taking exclusive possession of her being. He understood how to represent in a very plausible way, that the Professorin to whom the Cabinetsräthin herself looked up, because she had been the favorite and most influential lady of the Court, even the friend and confidante of the Princess-dowager that this lady would give to the whole family a new splendor, and surely be the means of their attaining the desired end. Sonnenkamp succeeded in impressing her so deeply with his sagacity, that Frau Čeres at last yielded, saying, "You are, in fact, very wise. I will speak to the tutor's mother." He now proceeded to give some instructions, how she should bear herself towards her, but, like a spoiled child, -even almost like an irrational animal, Frau Ceres shrieked out, clapped her hands, stamped her feet, crying, "I won't have any instructions! not a word more! Bring the lady to me!" Sonnenkamp went to the Widow, deeply moved and troubled; he wanted to give to her some directions in regard to her inter view with his wife, but was afraid of every | plication of soft cushions in which she hint, and only said, always lay muffled, as if she were buried. She held the Mother's hand fast, and sobbed without cessation. 66 My dear little wife has been a little spoiled, and is very nervous." Eric's mother visited Frau Ceres, and found her lying quietly upon the sofa; she had sense enough to know that the less demonstrative one is, the more effect does one produce upon others. When the visitor on entering made a very graceful courtesy, Frau Ceres suddenly forgot everything, and before a word could be said, she cried, "You must teach me that! I would like to courtesy in that way. Is not that the way they do at Court?" The visitor knew not what to reply. Is this something worse than a nervous person, -is she insane? She retained self-command enough, however, to say: "I can very well conceive that our forms must be rather strange to you, in your free Republic; I think that it is better at the first interview to shake hands." She extended her hand, which Frau Ceres took, and rose as if forgetting herself. "You are ill, I will not disturb you any longer," said the Professor's widow. Frau Ceres considered it would be better to pass for a sick person, and said, Ah, yes! I am always ill. beseech you, remain." 66 # The Mother now extolled their happiness in having each of them such a son, speaking less of Eric than of Roland; and as she went on to relate how in the twilight he had appeared like the transfigured form of her own dead child, Frau Ceres turned towards her and kissed her hand. She proceeded quietly to speak of herself as a person of many peculiarities, which rendered it no easy thing for any one to live with her; she had been in the habit of being too much alone, and she feared that she was not young enough and had not animal spirits sufficient to be the companion of a lady who had every claim to the brilliancy and joy of a stirring life. Frau Ceres requested her to draw back the curtains a little, and as she saw her more plainly she smiled; but immediately her countenance, with the fine, half-opened mouth, assumed again the listless look which was its habitual expression; she took the fan and fanned herself. You cannot think At last she said, "Ah yes, to learn! how stupid I am, and yet I would so like But I to be clever, and I would have learned so many things, but he never wanted me to, and has not let me learn anything, and always said: 'You are fairest and dearest to me just as you are.' Yes, it may be to him, but not to myself. If Madame Perini were not so kind, I don't know indeed what I should do. Do you play whist? Do you love nature? I am very simple, am I not?" And when the Mother now addressed her, the sound of her voice, its tones of deep feeling, made such an impression upon her excitable nature, that she closed her eyes, and when she opened them, great tear-drops stood upon her long lashes. The Mother expressed her regret that she had made her shed tears, but Frau Ceres shook her head violently. "No, no, I thank you. I have not been able to weep for yearsthese tears have lain here-here." She struck her bosom with violence. "I thank you." 66 The Mother wanted now to withdraw, but Frau Ceres rose up quickly, went up to her as she stood there struck with astonishment, and shrinking as if from a crazy person, fell on her knees before her, and kissed her hand, crying,— 66 Protect me! Be a mother to me; I have never called any one mother; I have never known a mother." to hear or to see required the greater exer- | she felt there was a basis of sincerity, inastion; but she found the latter the greater much as no one, unless he were utterly bore, for while one was reading one must abandoned, could have come within the hold the book and hold one's self in a par- sphere of her husband's voice and eye, ticular position, and therefore she always without receiving therefrom a good influence let Fräulein Perini read aloud to her; this for life. had the advantage that one could go to sleep whenever there was the inclination. This was the case now. Whilst the Mother was speaking, Frau Ceres suddenly let go her hand, and it was soon evident that the reclining one had fallen asleep; Frau Dournay sat there in that chamber furnished splendidly and richly as if it were an apartment in some fairy tale. She held her breath, and did not know what course to take. What is the meaning of all this? Here are riddles in plenty. She did not dare to change her position, for she was afraid of waking the sleeper. The latter turned now and said, "Ah, go now, go now, -I will come down soon myself." She left the room. Sonnenkamp was waiting for her outside. How did she seem?" he asked anxiously. 66 Very gentle and quiet," replied the Mother. But I have one request. I hope to cure the excitability or lassitude of your wife, but I beg you never to ask me what we have said to each other. If I am to gain her entire confidence, I must be able to say to her in good faith, that what she tells me is told to me alone; and that what she imparts to me will never pass my lips. Are you willing to promise that we ladies shall do as we like together?" 66 Yes," answered Sonnenkamp. It seemed hard for him to consent, but he felt that he must. CHAPTER III. A NEIGHBOR SECURED. PRANKEN came the next day, and when he met the widow of the Professor, summoned to his aid his most polished manner; she gave him to understand at once, that she regarded him as a son of the house. She did this with so much delicacy and such a charming tact, that Pranken was extremely delighted. When she thanked him for having been the means of obtaining such a position for Eric, he declined receiving any thanks for what he had done, as it was only a trifling amount toward the payment of his debt to the late Professor, to whom he owed all the culture he possessed. He said this with a tone that entirely won the Widow's heart; she could make allowance for the exaggeration of politeness, but Pranken spoke of his brother-in-law and his sister, and how much Eric was liked and loved at Wolfsgarten; and he conveyed in a happy turn, how much he expected the lady's presence would effect in composing and calming the recently excited and disturbed state of his sister. He hinted at this very guardedly, representing only how difficult a task it is to live with an elderly man, even a very noble one, and how in some unexpected way the apparent harmony might be disturbed. She understood more than Pranken imagined, and she was very glad to find the young man disposed, in the retirement of country life, to a deeper consideration of the influence of one human being upon another. Pranken could not refrain from disclosing something of his religious transformation, but he did it as an act of special confidence. There was suddenly presented to him the vision of this lady near Manna, who would lay open to her her whole soul, and would be assured that he acknowledged his inward change to the whole world; and it just occurred to him now, that the Superior had spoken in high praise of this lady in Manna's presence. A smile came upon his lips, for he thought how excellent a use could be made of her in diverting Manna from her childish intention of taking the veil, although it was in every way to be deplored that this lady was not a member of the same church. He then invited the Professor's widow, by Sonnenkamp's request, to drive with them to the country-house which the Cabinetsräthin he corrected himself immediately and said the Cabinetsrath-thought of purchasing; she would certainly do her part towards securing such an agreeable neighbor for Herr Sonnenkamp. Her objection, that she was hardly yet settled, was flatteringly set aside. The carriage drove up. The Cabinetsräthin and Sonnenkamp entered, and the mother must drive with them to the villa now for sale. They were in extreme good humor on the way, but involuntarily there came over Eric's mother the thought that she was mixed up in some sort of intrigue, and that her simplicity was made use of for some interested purpose. What it was, she was wholly ignorant. She felt serious anxiety, and this positively in |