ssed, with a
coronet on her head, thick rows of pearls on her bare neck, heavy
bracelets on her arms, and a girdle of glittering emeralds around her
waist. She looked at Sonnenkamp with a strange smile, and then said,--

"You have given me rich and beautiful ornaments."

She seemed to grow taller: she threw back her black hair.

"Look, here is the dagger! I wanted to kill myself with it; but I hurl
it away from me."

The hilt of precious stones and pearls sparkled through the air,
plunged into the water, and sank.

"What are you doing? What does this mean?"

"Come back with me!" she cried, "or, look, I will throw myself into the
river, and take with me these ornaments, the half of your riches."

"You are a deluded child," said Sonnenkamp contemptuously. "You think,
do you, that these are genuine stones? I have never given into your
keeping, you simple child, any but imitation jewels: the genuine ones,
in a like setting and case, I have fast enough in my own possession, in
the burglar-proof safe."

"So! You are shrewd," replied Frau Ceres.

"And you, my wild child, you are not crazy."

"No, I am not, if I'm not made so. I shall remain with you, and never
leave you for a single instant. Oh! I know you--Oh! I know you, you
will forsake me."

Sonnenkamp shuddered.

What does this mean? How does it come to pass that this simple-minded
creature has called out his slumbering thoughts, and brought them up
from the depths of his soul? He addressed the kindest words to Frau
Ceres, and, bringing her back to the house, kissed her. She became
quieter; but the determination was fixed in him to become free. There
was only one thing to be won, and then away into the wide, wide world!
But first of all, he must go to the capital, and shoot down Professor
Crutius. He struggled and wrestled with the thought, and at last he was
obliged to give it up. But the other thing must be. In confirmation of
this hidden impression of his soul, there came a messenger from Eric,
with the tidings that he could not leave Wolfsgarten, for Count Clodwig
was at the point of death.

CHAPTER XII.

A TRYING INTERVIEW.

Eric rode to Wolfsgarten. He met on the way the Major and Fraeulein
Milch, who were walking close together under one large umbrella.

Eric told them that Clodwig was dangerously sick, and the Major said,--

"Don't let him have any other nurse. Fraeulein Milch wil