emained at Sonnenkamp's request, who
imparted to him, in the strictest confidence, what distinguished
visitors he was expecting.

Pranken endured very patiently Manna's aversion to any decided advances
towards intimacy; he was glad to perceive that she treated Eric with
special coolness, for after those days of harmless and merry enjoyment,
she had withdrawn into her life of strict penitential seclusion; and if
she chanced to meet Eric, her countenance at once became darkened.

Sonnenkamp went through the park, the orchard and the green-houses, and
would have been glad to beseech all the plants to be in a beautiful
and a fresh condition when their Highnesses arrived; and his old
predilection for grubbing in the earth with his sack-like garment was
indulged with great circumspection.

He was sitting in the hot-house, and saying to himself how very quiet
he would be, if the Prince, as was scarcely to be doubted, should bring
into the house his diploma of nobility. And as he thus sat meditating
with himself, there was a strange rustling in the air; a gentle,
scarcely perceptible crackling was noticed, and Sonnenkamp cried out,--

"It has burst open!"

The Victoria Regia had bloomed. He saw the flower, he took delight in
it, and yet he shook his head in vexation. Why couldst thou not wait,
and open at the very instant when the Prince was standing here? One
ought to be able to compel nature! That would be the thing!

He sent a carriage immediately for the Cabinetsraethin, and she came.
She found the whole family, Frau Ceres included, in amazement at the
sight of the wonderful flower; and she too was enraptured.

Sonnenkamp explained to her that the Victoria Regia was white when it
first bloomed, and closed its flower at night; that during the second
night it opened again, and was then of a rose-color. For four days a
new flower appeared each day, and the former flower sank down under
water.

He took the Cabinetsraethin aside; she must immediately inform the Court
of the event. Now there was a special inducement for the Prince to
come.

At evening, the tidings were sent that the Prince and the Princess were
coming the next day; but they would take it very ill, if any one should
give it to be understood that this was anything more than a mere casual
visit.

Sonnenkamp heaved a deep sigh; if all was to appear accidental, then
the Prince would not bring with him the patent of a nobility, for that
required previous p