ords, he was now allowed comfortably to display his manifold
experiences, around all of which a softening halo was cast by the
genuine sentiment that served as their setting, the sentiment of
fatherly affection. His manner, also, of confessing that he had not
always thought as favorably as he should of human nature, but had been
taught by the Dournays to honor true nobility of mind, won for him the
reluctant interest of all. He laughed to himself, as he went down the
steps, at the thought of persons saying, as he knew they would, "We
really never knew the man before; he has a vast deal of character and
great sensibility."

He treated with especial consideration the members of the committee
upon orders, knowing himself, and having had particularly enjoined upon
him by Pranken, the importance of gaining them over to his plan.

Thus had Roland's illness given a fresh impulse to the nobility
project; and the Professorin had, against her will, co-operated to the
same end.

Sonnenkamp could not do enough to testify his respect for the lady who,
after all, had gained him his greatest triumph. In spite of her refusal
to come to his fete, and help in furthering his plan, she had now
become his tool. He never grew tired of rejoicing in the conviction
that all mankind could be used like puppets; some were to be bought by
the ringing of gold, and some by the ringing of their own praises.

CHAPTER X.

DECORATION WITH THREE EXCLAMATION MARKS.

An audience had been requested of the Princess, that the Sonnenkamp
family might present their thanks. The answer returned was that the
Frau Professorin would be welcome, thus refusing to admit Sonnenkamp.

He next desired that Roland should write a letter of thanks to the
Princess for the Professorin to hand to her, but several rough drafts,
which his son wrote out, he so roughly discarded, that the poor boy was
thrown into a state of feverish excitement which threatened to bring on
a relapse. He was quieted by the interposition of the Professorin, who
promised to deliver by word of mouth all that he had to say; but this
scene put a violent end to the childlike affectionateness which had
sprung up in him since his illness.

While the Professorin was at the palace, Sonnenkamp promenaded the
palace garden, where he could keep in sight the carriage and servants,
determined to hear at once what should be said of him there. This was
th