th the joy of
mental growth. My father hoped that success would be granted me where
he had failed; he made me heir of those ideas which he could neither
establish as scientific truth, nor impart from his professor's chair,
if there ever were a happy home, made holy by lofty aspiration, it was
my parents' house. There my younger brother died, now very nearly a
year ago; my father, who already was sorely sick at heart, with all his
stoic fortitude could not bear this blow. It is two months since he
also died. I kept down the anguish of my bereavement, finished my
studies, and received my doctor's degree a few days ago. My mother and
I formed various plans, but have not yet decided upon any. I made this
excursion to the Rhine in compliance with my mother's advice, for I
have been working very hard; on my return we meant to come to some
decision. I met your brother-in-law, and I feel it my duty not to turn
away from the opening which has offered. I am ready to enter into
private service, knowing what I undertake, and believing that I am
thoroughly equipped for it. There was a time when I thought I could
find satisfaction only in working for some great public interest; now I
should be content to educate a single human being, still more to
co-operate in training to a fitness for his great duties one, who, by
his future lordship over vast possessions, represents in himself
manifold human interests.

"I have come to the end of my story. I do not wish that any one should
think better of me than I deserve, but I also wish to pass for what I
believe I am. I am neither modest nor conceited; I may be in dangerous
ignorance, for I do not in the least know how I am regarded by others;
I have shown only what I find in myself by honest self-examination. I
mean to be a teacher. He who would live in the spirit, and has not the
artist's creative power, must be a teacher; for the teacher is, so to
speak, the artisan of the higher being, and, like every artisan, is so
much the better workman, or teacher, the more of the artist spirit he
has and uses. A thought is the best gift which man can bestow upon man,
and what I give my pupil is no longer my own. But pardon me for having
fallen into this vein of preaching. I have shown you my whole life, as
well as I can; where I have left any gaps, pray question me."

"Nothing further is needed," said Clodwig, rising, and quietly laying
aside the sofa-blanket. "Only one question. Have you never had t