yet, not I, but the Spirit
through the breath of my mouth. Come, leave all that holds ye back, all
on which ye lean--come to me, ye children of sorrow; to me, ye children
of misery, of pain, of riches, and of helpless poverty!"

There was a pause in which no one stirred, and the Priest resumed,--

"I have spoken, I have warned, I have called as I was forced to, and
because I was forced. I appeal to thee whose mortal frame we are here
consigning to the earth, speak to thy children, 'Children, the three
handfuls of earth which you were to throw upon my grave, ye shall throw
them when this hand resigns what is called the riches of this world,
but which is nothing but the ransom of a lost soul.' If ye do it not,
we shall still pray for ye who are dead in the living body, as we do
for thee whose dead body we are sinking into the grave, but whose soul
is risen into eternity. Grant that thy, children may receive eternal
life, only the life eternal!"--

The Priest's whole body trembled, and Roland trembled as he stood by
Eric. Weidmann approached the boy on the other side, and, laying his
hand on his shoulder, said in a low voice, "Be calm."

The grave was filled up with earth; the Priest hurried from the
church-yard and Pranken with him: the mourners took their way back to
the Villa.

"Who would have believed that the Priest would dare to speak so at the
grave? But it is well. What more can come? Is not all accomplished now?
It is best that she should have died when she did. The poor rich
children!"

"What will the children do now?" Such were the words that might have
been heard on all sides, as the people dispersed after the burial of
Frau Ceres.

The children returned from their mother's grave to the Villa.

Roland was the first to recover his self-command.

"I will not let myself be broken down," he cried. "The black horror
shall not frighten me. Give me something to do, Eric. Herr Weidmann,
now for the first time, I am yours: I will work, and not let myself
give way."

Manna, too, began to be herself again.

Their mother's death, and the painful scene at her grave, had given
added firmness to the character of both.

The day after the funeral, Roland was first applied to upon a question
of money: Fraeulein Perini asked for her discharge. With the approval of
Eric and Weidmann, she was abundantly provided for, besides receiving
Frau Ceres' entire wardrobe. She packed the clothes in great trunks,
and had them