CHAPTER XVI.
CHANGES WROUGHT IN MANY MINDS.
Sonnenkamp felt himself set aside by the Court, or rather completelyoverlooked; but he could not demean himself by allowing any feeling ofwounded pride to appear, therefore he omitted none of the customarysalutations of respect, even when the Sovereign looked ungraciously athim. That was the regular court service, to which he was determined toaccustom himself.
The day was fixed for the departure of the Prince and his retinue.Sonnenkamp stood among the other distinguished visitors, making thelast salutations beside the royal coach, and received his share of theSovereign's gracious, parting glance. The Cabinetsraethin said to him,as he was about to take his place in the second carriage,--
"Your cause stands well, in spite of the very learned and honorableCourt Wolfsgarten."
The departure of the court was, to a large circle of the visitors, likethe withdrawal of the bride from the marriage dance; the dancing goeson, there is an exaggerated assumption of gaiety, but the main point ofinterest is wanting.
Crowds of people came and went; the lively circle, of which Bellaformed the centre, lost every day one or another of its members;Sonnenkamp was often obliged, against his will, to grace a departurewith his offering of flowers. Bella, and Clodwig too, now prepared todepart. Eric had the satisfaction of seeing that a close attachment hadbeen formed between Clodwig and his friend and teacher, ProfessorEinsiedel.
The last few days were a pleasant relief to Eric and Roland, after thelife of excitement that had gone before. They took even the loss ofClodwig and Bella lightly, for they still had Professor Einsiedel.Sonnenkamp and Frau Ceres, on the contrary, were sorely out of spirits;they felt like persons who have outlived their day.
Sonnenkamp compared himself to a bouquet that has not found apurchaser. What is it at evening? It is put in water through the night;the withered flowers are pulled off the next morning, and it is againexposed for sale. Will the success be any better this time? It must betried.
The men and women, who, as long as Bella was present had been theirconstant associates, now saluted them formally, and joined themselvesto new comers. They often met Professor Crutius in company with anumber of Americans who were at the Baths, and who almost always lookedcuriously at Sonnenkamp. Crutius himself hardly acknowledged hisfriendly greetings.
The morning fixed for departure came at last; Sonnenkamp and hisretinue set off in three carriages. There were fewer friends to bidthem good-bye than they had expected, yet still the carriages wereadorned with flowers; there was a wreath upon the roof of Sonnenkamp'scoach, and even the spokes of the wheels were twined with garlands; thepostilion also wore a wreath. All had the appearance of being done byfriends, but was in reality the work of Lootz.
The party breakfasted in the open air, and entered the carriagesquietly from the street, without returning to the house.
Professor Einsiedel was among those who came to take leave, and,drawing Manna a little apart, he said to her in a low voice,--
"I told you in my last lecture--I beg your pardon, my dear child; Iforgot I was speaking only to you. I have already told you of my desireto enter a convent, but a free convent, now that I have grown weary oflife in the world, am solitary, and am inclined to finish in retirementwhatever I may still be able to accomplish. But whether you, my dearchild, before you have done with life, should withdraw yourself fromit, is a question you ought very seriously to consider; there can be nomore terrible fate than to feel your soul filled with all manner ofunrest when you have taken the vow to consecrate yourself to thenoblest thoughts. Consider it seriously, dear child; I speak only frommy interest in your welfare, my heartfelt interest," said the littleman, in a voice, broken with emotion.
"I know it, and I believe you," answered Manna. The tears stood in hereyes, and two big drops fell upon the flowers she held in her hand.
Roland came up to them and took off his hat to the Professor, who,laying his hand on the boy's head, said,--
"Keep on well, and remember that you too have a friend in me."
Roland was too much moved to speak; he could only kiss the old man'sdelicate childlike hand. The people at a distance looked on inamazement. The postilion blew his horn till he started the echoes inmountain and valley. With no decisive point gained, they left the placewhere they had experienced so much that was painful and pleasant.
The carriage rolled on for a long time without a word being spoken; atlast Roland said softly to Eric:--
"Now I have a grandfather too."
Eric remained silent. Roland's attention was attracted by the flowersthat strewed the road; not only withered flowers, but fresh bunchesalso that had been thrown after the departing guests, and now lay inthe street to be crushed under the carriage wheels. He was reminded ofManna's complaint at the waste of flowers here, and thought how just itwas.
Manna sat buried in thought. She had come to the Baths only for thesake of being with her family, yet in no one of the party had such avital change been effected. But she did not own it yet even to herself.She silently folded her hands and prayed.
They reached the station.
"Hear the whistle of the engine!" said Roland. "I feel that we arealready at home, now I hear that whistle, don't you? We seem to havebeen in a different world where that sound never reaches. I hope weshall find all right at home."
Eric rejoiced in Roland's animation, and told him they must keep upgood courage if they did find some things changed. They would not letanything spoil the pleasure of their getting home again.