y rejoice with another; slander is a peculiar symptom of
blood-thirstiness. Throughout all nature, the female is the crudest."

Eric sat still and heard all this talked at him. When they arrived at
the place where the Doctor was to get out, the good man puffed out
another long breath, and said, his face glowing with his earnestness,--

"Now I, feel better. I have been choking with this for a long while.
Thank you for having listened so patiently. Young friend," he
continued, laying his hand kindly on Eric's shoulder, "I am angry with
the poets, who, from fear of giving offence to women, have dressed up
this clever show-woman. If I have said too much of Frau Bella, as is
possible, I yet pray you to keep in mind the truths I have told of her,
which I have not exaggerated, and which I am ready any moment to
maintain."

Eric took his horse by the bridle, but did not mount; he travelled on,
lost in thought. That he should have heard such things against Bella,
and should have so poorly defended her, pained him. With a look almost
of devotion he gazed upward to the cloudless heaven above him; he would
keep himself free from the guilt of palliating his own faults. His
heart turned to Roland, and something within him said, I hope from this
time to be worthy to educate a human being; for never again shall any
criminal trifling with thoughts and feelings have place in me. I was
vain; I was pleased at appearing brilliant, at being praised by a
handsome woman, at feeling the light touch of her warm glove upon my
hand. No such man should dare to say, I will in all purity educate a
human being. I hope now I am a man who can.

With a feeling of inward happiness he pursued his way and reached the
villa.

A telegram was awaiting him, saying that the family would spend the
night in the capital.

Eric was alone.

CHAPTER VI.

A RECEIPT FOR THE FIRST INSTALMENT OF SALARY.

Frau Ceres expressed herself in the morning strongly disinclined to
return to the villa. The fete on Rudolph's hill still floated before
her fancy, and she wanted to have another just like it to-day. She
urged the Cabinetsraethin at least to go back with her to the villa and
make her a visit. The invitation was declined, but a visit promised at
an early date.

Frau Ceres was so much out of spirits, that to cheer her up Sonnenkamp
made Pranken sit in the carriage with her, while he drove with Roland.
When he w