ely upon that. She knew every thing--every single thing. It's
incomprehensible how she picked it all up. She knew that Count Clodwig
had sent you an invitation. But we know a stratagem or two; we've been
beforehand with him. 'He whom fortune favors leads home the bride,' as
the saying is."

Music was heard in the distance, and the Major informed them that it
was a part of the wedding celebration at Herr von Endlich's.

"O mother, if I am ever again desponding and low-spirited, I will call
to mind this hour, and be again happy!" The mother could not speak; her
heart was too full.

There was a very friendly welcome at the villa. The Cabinetsraethin
embraced and kissed the Professorin; Frau Ceres sent an excuse for not
appearing. Sonnenkamp came after nightfall.

The moon shone brightly when Eric and Roland escorted the mother and
the aunt to the vine-embowered dwelling. And as she stood here upon the
balcony, Eric's mother took his hand again, quietly, and said,--

"If thy father could see thee, he would rejoice in thee; thou hast
still thy pure and good glance; yes, all is well, thou hast the old
pure glance."

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.

"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:--

"Father Rhine! Eric's mother is here!"

Eric smiled; the youth's face w