seen through.

Engaged thus in friendly intercourse, the two women got to know each
other. Frau Dournay, with her naturally ladylike and easy bearing,
imparted a great deal, without seeming to do so; Fraeulein Milch, with
her acquired culture, which did not sit gracefully upon her, in every
communication of deep thought showed plainly the difficult steps by
which she had made it her own. When the Professorin spoke with such
ease and fluency, Fraeulein Milch nodded, saying to herself; "Yes,
forsooth! this lady has sat down at the table all spread, and been
served by others, with all the means of culture, while I have had to
cook my own food and to set my own table."

The Major saw from a distance the two women take each other by the
hand, and he spoke to Laadi fondling words that he would like to have
spoken to Fraeulein Milch.

"You are a pretty creature, smarter than all the world put
together--clear as the day--quiet and steady--not you, Laadi,--what are
you looking at me so for?"

He returned to the garden, Roland and Eric following immediately.

As the Major was escorting the Professorin a part of the way home, she
said:--

"I believe that I am acquainted now not only with the two best, but
also the two happiest people in this region."

The Major remained some time standing in the same place, and looking
after the departing guests; then turning his eyes upward, he said:--

"Thanks to thee, thou Builder of all the worlds! Thou knowest what I
would say, without my speaking,--oh dear!"

BOOK VIII.

CHAPTER I.

ON GOETHE'S BIRTH-DAY.

The swiftly-flowing Rhine between its bends seems transformed into a
lake, until, curving around the jutting mountain, it continues its
course.

This is very much the case with the story we are narrating.

The Mother wanted to go straightforward to the goal she had in view,
but many obstacles interposed. First came a very pressing invitation
from Clodwig, for the Mother and the whole of Sonnenkamp's family to
celebrate Goethe's birth-day at Wolfsgarten.

The invitation was accepted; but Frau Ceres and Fraeulein Perini
remained at home.

They drove to Wolfsgarten. Eric did not say it in so many words, but
his eyes expressed how much he felt protected and supported by the
Mother's presence, in entering the house of his friend; she seemed a
living testimony that he cross