too strict in receiving foreign intruders.

In a somewhat forced humor, Bella joked about the long nails of Frau
Ceres; but her lips trembled when Clodwig said very sharply, "Among the
Indians long nails take the place of family descent, and the one
perhaps is as good as the other."

All were amazed when Clodwig spoke so disparagingly of the nobility. He
seemed displeased at the detracting remarks upon the Sonnenkamp family;
he was above all meanness, and everything small and invidious was
as offensive to him as a disagreeable odor. Turning to Eric, he
said,--"Herr Sonnenkamp, the present subject of the conversation, is
the owner of many millions. To acquire such immense wealth is an
evidence of strength; or, I should rather say, to acquire great wealth
shows great vigor; to keep it requires great wisdom; and to use it well
is a virtue and an art."

He paused, and as no one spoke, he continued,--"Riches have a certain
title to respect; riches, especially one's own acquisition, are an
evidence of activity and service. Far easier does it appear to me to be
a prince, than to be a man of such excessive wealth. Such an
accumulation of power is apt to make men arbitrary; a very wealthy man
lives in an atmosphere saturated, as it were, with the consciousness of
supreme power, and ceases to be an individual personality, and the
whole world assumes to him the aspect of a price-current list. Have you
ever met such a man?"

Before Eric could reply, Pranken roughly broke in, "Captain Dournay
wishes to become the tutor of the young Sonnenkamp." All eyes were
directed towards Eric; he was regarded as if he had been suddenly
transformed, and clad in a beggar's garment. The men nodded to each
other and shrugged their shoulders; a man engaging in a private
employment, and such an employment too, had lost all title to
consideration. The ladies looked at him compassionately. Eric saw
nothing of all this. He did not know what Pranken meant by this
surprising revelation; he felt that he must make some reply, but knew
not what to say.

A painful pause followed Pranken's communication. Clodwig had placed
his hands upon his lips, that had become very pale. At last he said,
"Such an appointment will contribute to your honor, and to the honor
and good fortune of Herr Sonnenkamp."

Eric felt a broad hand laid upon his shoulder, and on looking round he
gazed into the smiling countenance of the major, who, pointing several
times with his le