member that my employment tends to
make me interest myself even in the thoughts of those with whom I have
no concern."

His tone was subdued. Manna was at a loss what to reply. Both were
silent, and there was nothing heard but the singing of the birds. At
last Manna said:--

"Tell me about Roland. What is his character?"

"My father used to say, dear Fraeulein, that no one could describe to
another the characteristics of his fellow; that each one sees the
traits in an entirely different light."

"You are evading my question."

"No. I wanted to say to you that I do not consider it feasible to
characterize any person justly. If I praise Roland, it seems to me as
if I were praising a portion of myself; and if I point out his
deficiencies, then perhaps I am too severe, because I feel as if they
were my own. One thing, however, a human being may be allowed to say in
his own commendation; and so I may be allowed to say of Roland, that he
has industry, perseverance, and truthfulness; this is the solid rock on
which the moral superstructure can be erected."

Manna involuntarily held up her prayer-book with both hands, as if it
were a shield.

Eric, thinking he understood the meaning of this motion, said:--

"It has been, and is, a leading object with me, that Roland should gain
an eye of his own, and trust to his own eye."

"An eye of his own?" Manna asked in wonderment.

"Yes, you will readily perceive what I mean by that. And now I have one
favor to ask for myself."

"For yourself?"

"Yes Simply believe that I hold in high respect your ideal of life,
because I regard it as sincere in you; and the favor I have to ask is,
that you will do the same with me."

"I was not aware--" Manna answered, blushing deeply.

A sort of pain darted through her soul; on her face there was an
expression of perplexity and conflict, for she was haunted by what
Pranken had said. Is this demand of Eric's what Pranken had called
setting up as a pattern of honesty, and did Eric, who might know of
that view, exhort her to judge impartially, whilst he laid a special
emphasis on having an eye of one's own? She could not complete her
sentence, for Roland came up, saying,--

"Indeed! Have you found each other out so soon?"

Manna rose hastily, and went to the villa, holding Roland by the hand.

Pranken came out with Sonnenkamp to meet them, and immediately said
that he had been to church too; but he considered it a duty not to
distra