uld aim at.

Bella rejected this plan; she took pleasure in inciting her brother to
gain the victory over such an opponent; that would inspire him with
fresh animation. Moreover, that it might be well to offset the Lady
Perini, whose ecclesiastical tendencies no one had thoroughly fathomed,
by a man who was a representative of the world, and under obligations
of gratitude to them. And further it was not to be doubted that a
perpetual, secret war would exist between Donna Perini and this
over-confident Dournay, so that, whatever might happen, they would have
the regulation and disposal of matters in their own hands.

Bella forgot all her vexation, for a whole web of intrigue unfolded
itself clearly to her sight, agreeable in the prosecution, and tending
to one result. She was the confidante of Fraeulein Perini, but she
herself did not wholly trust her, and Otto must remain intimate with
Eric; and in this way, they would hold the Sonnenkamp family in their
hands, for Eric would undoubtedly acquire great influence.

Otto strenuously resisted the carrying out of the part assigned to him,
but he was not let off. A cat sitting quiet and breathless before a
mouse-hole will not be enticed away, for she knows that the mouse will
come out; it is nibbling already; and then there is a successful
spring. Bella had one means of inducing her brother to do as she
wished; she need only repeat to him how irresistible he was, and how
necessary it was for him to gain that self-confidence which had
hitherto stood him in such good part. Otto was not fully convinced, but
he was persuaded that he soon would be. And, moreover, this Dournay was
a poor man whom one must help; he had taken today the sudden revelation
of his position in life with a good grace, and behaved very well.

Whilst brother and sister promenaded in the garden, Eric sat in the
study of Count Clodwig, that was lighted by a branching lamp. They sat
opposite, in arm-chairs, at the long writing-table. "I regret," Clodwig
began, "that the physician came so late; he has a rough rind, but a
sound heart. I think that you and he will be good friends."

Eric said nothing, and Clodwig continued: "I cannot understand why my
brother-in-law, in his peculiar manner, informed the company so
suddenly of your intention. Now it is a common topic of conversation,
and your excellent project loses its first naive charm."

Eric replied with great decision, that we must allow the deed resolved