ssion had been an unfavorable one. "I beg you
indeed to excuse me," he stammered out; "the Count von Wolfsgarten,
whose guest I have been, and from whom I bring to you a letter of
recommendation, has--"

"A letter from Count Wolfsgarten? Very welcome. I am very glad to see
you," replied Sonnenkamp, taking the letter.

"We have met very unexpectedly--there was no reason for
suspecting--prejudice as men--I mean--constraint--"

Sonnenkamp's tone had wholly changed; it had become gentle, kind,
almost tenderly beseeching.

He hastily ran his eye over the lines written by Clodwig, and then said
in a low tone,--

"I am very glad,--very welcome."

Looking, up from the letter, he made a sort of bow to Eric, and, as if
sure of acquiescence, remarked, "a nobleman--just what a nobleman ought
to be--is the Count Wolfsgarten. Do you stand as high in favor with the
Countess Bella?"

There was a touch of sarcasm in the tone of this last question.

Eric answered with an unmoved tone and look, "I am happy to enjoy
equally the favor of husband and wife."

"Fine, very fine," Sonnenkamp resumed. "But let us go out into the open
air. Are you a botanist too?"

Eric regretted that he had always neglected to extend his knowledge in
this direction.

Out in the open air, Sonnenkamp again surveyed the new-comer from head
to foot. Eric now for the first time noticed, that wholly forgetting
his military attire, he had taken off his cap. And when he perceived
the look with which he was surveyed, he realised what was the meaning
of private service, to give up one's self with his whole personal being
to the dominion of an individual.

In Sonnenkamp's survey there was something which made Eric feel as if
he were in a slave-market; and when Sonnenkamp stretched out his hand
with a peculiar gesture, it seemed as if he were about to take hold of
his chin, open his lips, and examine whether his teeth were all sound.

Eric shook his head at this strange fancy, and proudly stood erect,
feeling, that he must maintain his own ground steadily in the presence
of this man.

Sonnenkamp immediately gave orders to a servant near by to get
breakfast ready at the fountain.

"Did you come on horseback?" he asked.

"Count Wolfsgarten was kind enough to furnish me with a horse."

"You have already spoken with my son?"

"Yes."

"I am glad that you came in uniform," Sonnenkamp said, making no
further inquiries of Eric what he thought of the boy.