and Eric rejoiced at this awakened zeal of
the youth, and when he took leave, the Mother shed tears as she kissed
him.

"What was the matter with your mother, that she was so sad all the
evening?" said Roland, as they were returning home.

"She has lost the key-note of joy," replied Eric.

That very night he wrote a spirited account of the benevolent
Institution, and the cheerful festivities, and sent it to Professor
Crutius at the capital. The next day but one, the journal came to the
villa. Sonnenkamp thanked Eric for his well-written communication, and
Roland begged,--

"Give me the paper; I will keep it for a perpetual remembrance. I am so
glad that I am going to be a soldier. If I win battles, it will be
published in the papers, and the scholars will be obliged to hear of my
name, and of my deeds, just like those of Miltiades, and Washington,
and Napoleon."

There was another communication published in the official gazette, and
Pranken did not deny that he was the author of it. What Eric had
written was every way fine, but this communication came to the eyes of
the Prince, and so was of far greater importance, and soon showed its
results.

CHAPTER X.

THE VICTORIA REGIA IN BLOOM.

The Cabinetsraethin proved herself to be grateful and well informed; she
showed to Sonnenkamp a letter from her husband, in which he stated that
the Prince had read with great satisfaction the account of the
Institution and the popular celebration. But a much more important
point was, that the Prince expressed the intention of paying a visit in
person to the famous green-houses and fruit-plantations of Sonnenkamp.
This must be kept a profound secret, but it was very proper that
Sonnenkamp should be informed of it. He sent back the request that the
visit of the Prince should be announced by a telegram.

He seemed to himself now a prisoner in his own domains. He had had no
idea of leaving the villa until it was time for him to set out for the
Baths, but now it seemed to him that he might be called suddenly away,
and the Prince would be sure to come during his absence.

He gave precise orders, and promised a special remuneration for the
speediest forwarding of any telegram from the capital; but day after
day passed, and none came. Everything had resumed its quiet routine,
but Sonnenkamp was constantly in a state of feverish excitement.
Pranken wanted to go away, but r