rents. Still she was not at all
melancholy, but cheerful and interested in every subject, taking part
in every discussion.

Then Bella described the lovely valley, and their visit to the renowned
mountain-chapel; and Eric could almost hear his mother's voice, and see
her gentle face, as she sat by the beautiful lady, listening to
Clodwig, and nodding assent and pleasure. It was for Eric an hour of
deep and quiet happiness, laden with the memories of his home.

And not less beaming were Roland's eyes, as he asked:--

"And didn't she speak of me?"

"Almost more than of her own son," Bella answered. And then she turned
again to Eric, and could not say enough of the impression which had
been made upon her by the sight of a woman like his mother, who, living
in another world, yet retained such an interest in this; who, having
given up so much, yet possessed everything in herself.

Clodwig smiled, for Bella was repeating the very words he had used; but
she continued,--"I think I never understood you, Captain, until I had
the happiness of meeting your noble mother. We agreed to write to each
other, from time to time, although she absolved me on the spot from any
feeling of obligation to do so."

More and more happy, and at home, did Eric feel with Clodwig and Bella,
and it seemed as though the spirit of his mother was lingering near
them with a benediction.

"But we must not forget your aunt!" Clodwig exclaimed, and then went on
to say that he had renewed an old acquaintance with her; he remembered
well the dazzling beauty of Fraeulein Dournay, and what an excitement
was produced when she, a citizen's daughter, was presented at court,
and invited everywhere. The story went that she and Prince Hermann, who
died in his youth, had loved each other with the purest love, and, for
his sake, she had refused all offers of marriage; but of this Clodwig
did not speak.

As they were walking in the garden after dinner, Bella said to
Eric:--"You have had a very beautiful, happy youth; but one thing was
wanting."

"What is that?"

"A sister."

"I would be glad to think that she had come to me," Eric replied, in a
low voice.

Bella looked down, for a minute, and then called Roland to her. They
went on to the castle, and Clodwig begged the Architect, for the sake
of his young friend, Roland, to be very careful whenever traces of
further remains were discovered.

The company sat down on a projection of the castle-wall, where