stood, whilst he; Sonnenkamp, could proudly
call his all that was around him, and could obtain possession, if he
wished, of all that was within reach of his sight, and, as the keeper
said, buy up the whole of the Rhinegau.

"Continue," he said, putting a fresh cigar in his mouth.

"It may seem laughable," resumed Eric, "but it is certainly significant
that a prince receives, in his very cradle, a military rank. When
reason awakens in him, he sees his father always under the ordinance of
duty. I do not at all deny that this duty often sits very lightly upon
him, if it is not wholly neglected, but a certain appearance of duty
must always be preserved. The son of a rich man, on the other hand,
does not see the duty which wealth imposes placed so peremptorily
before his eyes; he sees beneficence, utility, the fostering Of art,
hospitality, but all this not as duty, but as free personal
inclination."

"You come round again to the obligation imposed by social civilization.
I pray you, however,--you have a decided talent for instruction, I see
that plainly; and I am at any rate thankful to Count Clodwig and to
you."

"A point for comparison occurs to me," Eric began anew.

"Go on," Sonnenkamp said, encouragingly.

"It was a custom, in the good old time, for German princes to learn
some trade. Irrespective of all else, they learned how to understand
and to esteem labor. The rich youth ought to have something like this,
without its being suffered to degenerate into a mere hollow
ceremonial."

"Very suggestive," Sonnenkamp asserted. He had proposed to himself only
to make inquiries of Eric, only to procure a new species of enjoyment
by allowing a learned idealist to open his whole budget; he had taken
especial satisfaction in the thought that Eric would do this for his
enjoyment, and would reap no advantage from it himself; he also
experienced a certain delight in being able for once to journey into
the region of the ideal--it seemed a very pretty thing--but only for
one hour, for one half-day; and now he was unexpectedly awakened to a
lively interest. He placed his hand upon Eric's arm, and said,--

"You are really a good teacher."

Eric continued, without remarking upon the compliment,--

"I set a very high value upon sovereignty; it is a great influence, and
confers independence and self-possession."

"Yes, that is true. But do you know what is the most desirable thing,
which money cannot buy?"

Eric shook his