g had been tending towards this one aim. And after all,
might it not be an advantage for Roland to enter the ranks of the
nobility? Might not this be the only means of establishing a home for
him in Germany?

The interview lasted till far into the night, Sonnenkamp constantly
endeavoring to prove the necessity of making Roland a noble, and Eric
at last, almost from sheer weariness, promised to use his influence
with Clodwig. He got no rest as he lay in bed; he seemed to himself a
traitor, but the voice of the tempter said:--

"After all, it is not you who can bring it about, nor he, but the
Prince. Whether you lend your aid or not, the thing is sure to be done.
Why should you be disobliging and ungrateful?"

CHAPTER XIV.

THE TEACHER'S TEACHER.

"Ball"--"American"--"Betrothed"--was heard the next morning at the
spring in all the different languages, for, inconsistent as it may
seem, winter gayeties are brought into a place frequented only by
invalids.

Frau Ceres' carriage did not appear at the spring; she had a tumbler of
mineral water brought to her room.

Before the altar in the village church lay Manna, long after the mass
was over, studying her own heart. She cried out for help, for support
against the world; she remembered the advice of the Priest to make free
confession, wherever she might be, to a brother or a father, and she
longed to confess here; but she did not, for there was one thing she
could not tell. For the first time, she left the church with a burden
on her heart.

Eric was fighting his fight with himself out upon the hills. Sonnenkamp
had spoken with great openness to him, but one thing he had not said,
that Pranken was waiting till Manna was titled before announcing the
betrothal. He was angry with himself for having allowed the idea to
take possession of him, and perhaps increase, though unconsciously, his
repugnance to the commission laid upon him.

The sudden calling of his name terrified him, though it was pronounced
by a gentle voice. Looking up he perceived Professor Einsiedel coming
towards him: What better man could he have to clear up his doubts and
restore his peace of mind? For one moment, he entertained the thought
of laying all his questions before the pure and childlike, yet clear
and brave spirit, of his old friend; but neither could he confess,
neither could he tell all, and so he too shut his secret in his ow