s voice," he said. "It was a hard stroke
to me when I heard of his death, for I had thought of writing to him
for several years, but delayed until it was too late."

When Eric was introduced now by Clodwig to the rest of the gentlemen,
it seemed as if this man invested him with his own dignity. "Here I
make you acquainted with a good comrade," said Clodwig, with a
significant smile, whilst he introduced him to an old gentleman, having
a broad red face, and snow-white hair trimmed very close. "This is our
major--Major Grassler."

The major nodded pleasantly, extending to Eric a hand to which the
forefinger was wanting; but the old man could still press strongly the
stranger's hand. He nodded again, but said nothing.

The other gentlemen were also introduced by the count; one of these, a
handsome young man, with a dark-brown face and fine beard and
moustache, the architect Erhardt, took his leave directly, as he had an
appointment at the limestone quarry. The school-director informed Eric
that he had been also a pupil of Professor Einsiedel.

The major was called out of the men's circle by the ladies; they took
him to task, the wife of the Justice leading off, for having left them
and gone off with the gentlemen, while always before he had been very
attentive to the ladies, and their faithful knight. Now he was to make
amends.

The major had just seated himself when the girls placed upon his white
head the crown intended for Eric. He nodded merrily, and desired that a
mirror should be brought, to see how he looked. He pointed the
forefinger of his left hand to Lina, and asked her if that was one of
the things she learned at the convent.

It soon became evident that the major was the target for shafts of wit,
a position which some one in every society voluntarily must assume or
submit to perforce. The major conferred upon his acquaintance more
pleasure than he was aware of, for every one smiled in a friendly way
when he was thought of or spoken about.

A gust of wind came down over the plain; the flag upon the mansion was
lowered; the upholstered chairs were speedily put under the covering of
the piazza; and all had a feeling of comfort, as they sat sociably
together in the well-lighted drawing-room, while the storm raged
outside.

For some time no other subject could be talked about than the storm.
The major told of a slight skirmish in which he had been engaged in the
midst of the most fearful thunder and light