ipation of the slaves and of the serfs, and what is bringing
them about? Humanity alone in its freedom of action. You see, this
Herr Sonnenkamp lived in quite another world than mine, and yet my
life,--Ah, wait a minute, wait, I cannot say more now."

After a while, Clodwig began again,--

"This Sonnenkamp is another proof to me, our civilization has the same
defects as religion; it also gives no definite moral laws; it is not a
complete, not the true civilization."

He sat up in bed, saying,--

"Come, I want to say my last word to you. Two things I see looming up
in the future; the one is imperialism, which is trying to establish
itself in America; and the other, yet more terrible, is called a war
for religion. One party gathers around Rome; the other, around no man,
no idea, but around freedom. Two great standards are raised, and around
these standards gather two armies. Invisibly on the one banner is
inscribed, 'We cannot!' on the other, 'We will!'

"Hear yet more. A new faith, a new knowledge is to come, which will
re-create the world. We wander continually in a grave-yard, our life is
dead. Only a renewal through a great idea, through a new religion.
Ah"--

He broke off abruptly as Bella entered the room.

She expressed her satisfaction at Clodwig's animation, and Clodwig
still preserved a courtly politeness towards his wife. She wanted to
hand him some medicine, and he said,--

"Oh, yes! give it to me, but do not say any thing against Doctor
Richard; please do not."

Bella sat quietly by the bed for a while; then Clodwig begged her
to go to rest, and she complied. When he was again alone with Eric, he
said,--

"In many painless hours by day and night, I have fancied to myself how
the human race of to-day will gather in countless hosts, and press,
shoulder to shoulder, up some lofty height, to plant the banner under
which they assemble. What watch-word can they inscribe upon it which
shall unite them one and all? Then I saw you; you were carrying the
banner, and on it was your motto, your words which you have spoken, the
only motto, Free labor! That is it. Happy are you that you have said
it, and I that I have heard and seen."

A glorious light rested on Clodwig's countenance, and beamed from his
eyes, as he gazed into the empty air; then he laid back his head, and
closed his eyes, but he felt for Eric's hand, and clasped it tight.
After a while he raised himself again, saying,--

"Go into the room