everything already, wished to come to an explanation with him.

He had desired to compose himself here as in a sort of ante-room, and
to think matters over, and now he went away as if frightened. He saw
the handsome villa glistening in the bright sunshine, the blazing panes
of the glass house and cupola; he saw the park, he saw the green
cottage in which his mother lived--and all this was built and planted
from the profits of traffic in human beings.

Does Pranken know it? He must know it, and then it remains to be seen
whether he will extend his hand to the daughter of this house. Hatred
and bitterness that Manna should belong to this house penetrated his
whole being, made his hair stand on end, and clenched his fists; he
would dash the whole lying structure to pieces. But Manna--how would
she take it? He stood still, upbraiding himself that he had ever
thought himself capable of cherishing one noble thought within his
soul. He stood still and stared at the rocks as if he would have dashed
them down into the valley, crushing everything beneath. A physical
pain, a pang through his heart, almost took away his breath. Beaming
out from the surrounding darkness it stood before him--he loved Manna;
and without being aware of it, he laughed aloud.

"The daughter of this man thy wife, the mother of thy children? The
world is a masquerade."

The words of Fraeulein Milch came back to him, and he added to them,--

"And I am not called to tear off the mask from the faces of the
maskers?"

Inwardly composed he went to the villa.

CHAPTER VII.

A MILLION OF POUNDS IN HAND, AND A UNIFORM TO BACK IT.

When Roland came to the Villa, he was at once summoned to his father;
and as he approached him, Sonnenkamp exclaimed:--

"My son! my son! it is thou indeed! everything for thee; thou art
forever secure, and elevated forever. My beloved son! Everything for
thee!"

The strong man now raised up the youth like a child, and
exclaimed:--"Roland, it is accomplished; forget not this moment, the
crowning moment of my whole life, crowded as it has been with dangers
and wanderings. My son, from this day forth, you are to be called
Roland von Lichtenburg."

Roland stood once more on the floor, and trembled as he cast an
involuntary glance into the large mirror.

"Yes," laughed the father, "look at yourself; so does the young baron
appear. Ah! my child, you will know after a while what