hus speaking
out his whole heart on every occasion, instead of adopting the light
conversational tone of society. He thought he knew what the young noble
meant by his compliment. A beautiful way of speaking, indeed! A new
dish, a new sauce, new music, charming capriccios! None but a fool
would expose the treasures of his heart to them.

Eric was struck with the expression of Bella's face; it was set and
hard. What have I done, she thought, that he should read me such a
lesson about no one claiming exemption from the rule of morality? She
was thoroughly angry, and with difficulty forced a smile to her face.
She soon controlled herself, however, and managed to make the two young
men enter upon a little passage of arms before her.

The Prince had the advantage of Eric in a knowledge of current events,
and in practical experience of the world. Eric readily granted the
victory to be on his opponent's side in many instances.

As they were walking in the garden, the Prince leaning familiarly on
Eric's arm, he asked if Eric was acquainted with Herr Weidmann, to whom
Clodwig intended to send him.

Eric replied that he had only seen him once or twice, but that he was
universally esteemed.

"If you should happen to have any friend like yourself," said the
Prince, pressing Eric's arm as he spoke, "if you should know any one
whom you could recommend to be my guide and instructor, I could make
provision for him for life, or--excuse the question--would you yourself
perhaps--?"

Eric declined the honor, but promised to bear the subject of an
instructor in mind.

Bella joined them, and Eric walked by the side of the other two, his
mind agitated by a variety of emotions. He had pondered so carefully on
the best way of drawing himself and Bella back from that dangerous
boundary line of friendship, and here his pains had been thrown away,
for another already occupied his place. His vanity was secretly wounded
that this man of the world, with his prettily-dressed nothings, should
at once have become a greater favorite than he with his tiresome
solidities and all his historical luggage. At heart he was indignant at
Bella's familiarity with the Russian, and a strange confusion of
feeling arose within him. Should he be glad to think this woman nothing
but a coquette, trifling now with one man and now with another? or did,
Bella thus act only to make less marked her intimacy with himself,
which she desired not to display before others?