eir ordinary pursuits in
the midst of nature's disturbances? In our modern age an unalterable
system of movements is seen to be continually operating upon our earth.
May it not be said that all our doing is but a preparation of the way,
a making straight the path, so that the eternal forces of nature may
move in freedom? The man of this new age has the railroad to serve
him."

Clodwig grasped Eric's hand. Bright flashes of lightning illumined the
beaming face of the young man and the serene countenance of the old
count. Clodwig pressed warmly Eric's hand, as if he would say, "Welcome
again! now art thou truly mine." Love, suddenly taking possession of
two hearts, is said to make them one; and is it not also true of
friendship?

It was so here. The two confronted each other, not with any foreboding,
or excitement of feeling, but with a clear and firm recognition that
each had found his own choicest possession; they felt that they
belonged to each other, and it was entirely forgotten that they had
looked into each other's eyes for the first time only a few moments
before. They had become united in the pure thought of the Eternal that
has no measure of time; they may have stood there speechless for a long
time after unclasping their hands; they were united, and they were one
without the need of word, without external sign.

In a voice full of emotion, as if he had a secret to reveal, which he
could hardly open his lips to utter, and yet which he must not
withhold, Clodwig said,--"In such storms I have often thought of that
former period when the whole land from here to the Odenwald was a great
lake, out of which the mountain peaks towered as islands, until the
water forced for itself a channel through the wall of rock. And have
you, my young friend, ever entertained the thought that chaos may come
again?"

"Yes, indeed; but we cannot transport ourselves into the pre-human or
post-human period. We can only fill out, according to our strength, our
allotted time of three score years and ten." The major now came and
invited them to go into the inner saloon, where the company had
assembled. Clodwig again stroked softly Eric's hand, saying, "Will you
come?" Like two lovers who have just given a secret kiss and an
embrace, they rejoined the company. No one suspected why their
countenances were so radiant.

CHAPTER VII.

AN ILLUMINATING FLASH.

After the cris