world is purified, the soul pervaded by
the deep feeling of unalloyed blessedness, which is nothing but
breathing, living, loving.

Encompassed by such an atmosphere, Eric stood at the window and looked
out over the river to the mountains beyond, the castles, the towns, the
villages, on the banks and on the heights. Everywhere thou art at home,
thou art living in a beautiful world. He went at once into the open
air, and strode on not as if he were walking, but as if borne onward by
some ineffable power. Drops of rain from the last night's storm hung
upon the tender green of the foliage, on the grass and flowers; no
breeze stirred the air, and frequent rain-drops, like a sudden shower,
pattered down from the overhanging branches. A ray of sunlight now
gleams upon every leaf and twig, and awakens an inexpressible movement;
the blackbird sings in the copse, and with his clear, shrill tone is
heard far above all the intermingling, chorus of melodies.

Eric stood motionless near a covered pavilion on the very ridge of the
mountain, and gazed long at a kite hovering with outspread wings over
the summit, and then letting itself down into the wood on the other
side of the river. What made him think at that moment of Herr
Sonnenkamp? Was it envy and dread of the little bird, whom evil tongues
called a bird of prey; and has he not the right to live according to
his might?

Eric's thoughts were wafted toward the boy, longing to mingle in his
dreams, and whisper to him, I am coming to thee. He endeavored for a
long time to get sight of the glass dome, but it was nowhere visible.
He went away from the river to an elevated plain, from which there was
again a view of valleys, heights, and mountains.

He stood in the midst of an extensive field, and for the first time saw
a vineyard which was just being planted. The laborers held implements,
like augurs, in their hands, and making with them holes in the loose
earth, they set out the young shoots in rows.

He saluted the laborers, and they answered him cheerfully, feeling from
the sound of his voice that he greeted every stranger as a brother. He
inquired how long it would be before the first vintage, and when an old
man answered clearly all his questions, he felt a new refreshment.

This conversation brought him back from his state of excitement, back
from his wandering into the infinite, again to the earth. He went away
expressing his thanks, and realising that he must bring thi