Banker had undertaken the expenses of one of the
three--that he should engage no one else, as the negroes themselves
must fight for their liberty.

He went back to Villa Eden, accompanied by Claus. There lived the
Major.

He also made a wedding-tour, with the Frau Majorin. They stopped awhile
in that part of the garden called Nice.

They went through the park and ascended the hill, where there
was a view down the Rhine. The Major said in a tone of supreme
satisfaction:--

"Now, Frau Majorin, here we are, on the highest mountain in
Switzerland."

And at the lake he said:--

"Frau Majorin, will you have the goodness to admire the Lago Maggiore?"

They went through the conservatories, and the Major declared that the
world had collected here its most beautiful show of flowers, in order
to spare them the great annoyance of travelling. He besought his wife
to excuse him if he did not show her the devotion of a newly married
husband during the following days. So much had yet to be provided
before the departure of the new knights of the Brotherhood.

There were, indeed, so many things to be settled, that Eric was at last
obliged to entrust much that was essential to Weidmann and the Justice.
Before he could start, he must obtain his discharge, as he was in the
reserve corps. The reply to his application was, that the Prince
desired a personal interview. He was obliged to go to the city, and was
not a little surprised by the gracious and complimentary expressions of
the Prince. He said that he was not willing to give such a man his
discharge, but he would grant him leave of absence for an indefinite
time.

Eric's pride, however, was very soon humbled, for the Prince hinted
that Eric, now made the possessor of so much wealth, had better remain
in the country.

During his stay in the city, officers also came to Eric, offering
either to accompany or to follow him to America.

Eric positively declined all such offers.

Joseph the valet came with his betrothed. Means had been given him to
set up an inn of his own in the capital, but he conducted himself like
a servant of the house.

Fassbender's son, who had been working in the Banker's office, was
going to the New World, wishing to engage in the occupation of his
brother, who was an influential building-contractor. In compliance with
the urgent request of Claus, he took with him a great quantity of
birds, by which means he was to establish a regular bird-trade wit