CHAPTER VIII.
CONFESSION OF TWO KINDS.
Otto von Pranken walked with his sister Bella up and down the garden.Otto informed her that he had recommended Eric to Herr Sonnenkamp, butthat he was already very sorry for it.
Bella, who was always out of humor after she had made herself a victimto the collation, turned now her ill humor against her brother, who hadintroduced to her as a fitting guest one who was, or wished to be, amenial, and above all, a menial of that Herr Sonnenkamp. Withmischievous satisfaction she added thereto, that Otto must take delightin boldly leaping over difficulties, since he had recommended into thefamily such an attractive person as this doctor--she made use of thattitle as being inferior to that of captain. The natural consequencewould be that the daughter of the house would fall in love with herbrother's tutor.
"This Herr Dournay," she ended by saying, "is a very attractive person,not merely because he is extraordinarily handsome, but yet more becausehe possesses a romantic open-heartedness and honesty. Whether it isgenuine or assumed, at any rate, it tells, and particularly with a girlof seventeen just out of a convent."
Otto answered good naturedly, that he had given his sister credit for aless commonplace imagination; moreover, that Eric was an acknowledgedwoman-hater, who would never love a real woman of flesh and blood. YetPranken declared his intention of calling the next morning at thevilla, and telling Herr Sonnenkamp in confidence how very reluctant hewas to give the recommendation; that he should beseech him to dismissthe applicant politely, for he might with propriety and justice saythat Eric would inoculate the boy with radical ideas; yes, that itmight further be said to Herr Sonnenkamp, that to receive Eric would bedispleasing at court. This last reason, he thought, would carry allbefore it. Pranken had worked himself into the belief that to have asecure position in the court-circle was the highest that HerrSonnenkamp could aim at.
Bella rejected this plan; she took pleasure in inciting her brother togain the victory over such an opponent; that would inspire him withfresh animation. Moreover, that it might be well to offset the LadyPerini, whose ecclesiastical tendencies no one had thoroughly fathomed,by a man who was a representative of the world, and under obligationsof gratitude to them. And further it was not to be doubted that aperpetual, secret war would exist between Donna Perini and thisover-confident Dournay, so that, whatever might happen, they would havethe regulation and disposal of matters in their own hands.
Bella forgot all her vexation, for a whole web of intrigue unfoldeditself clearly to her sight, agreeable in the prosecution, and tendingto one result. She was the confidante of Fraeulein Perini, but sheherself did not wholly trust her, and Otto must remain intimate withEric; and in this way, they would hold the Sonnenkamp family in theirhands, 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 amouse-hole will not be enticed away, for she knows that the mouse willcome out; it is nibbling already; and then there is a successfulspring. Bella had one means of inducing her brother to do as shewished; she need only repeat to him how irresistible he was, and hownecessary it was for him to gain that self-confidence which hadhitherto stood him in such good part. Otto was not fully convinced, buthe was persuaded that he soon would be. And, moreover, this Dournay wasa poor man whom one must help; he had taken today the sudden revelationof his position in life with a good grace, and behaved very well.
Whilst brother and sister promenaded in the garden, Eric sat in thestudy of Count Clodwig, that was lighted by a branching lamp. They satopposite, in arm-chairs, at the long writing-table. "I regret," Clodwigbegan, "that the physician came so late; he has a rough rind, but asound heart. I think that you and he will be good friends."
Eric said nothing, and Clodwig continued: "I cannot understand why mybrother-in-law, in his peculiar manner, informed the company sosuddenly 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 resolvedupon in meditation to come into the cold sharp air of the criticalunderstanding.
Clodwig again gazed at him fixedly, apparently surprised that this manshould be so well armed at all points; and placing his small hand upona portfolio before him as if he were writing down something new, heresumed:--
"I have, to-day, been confirmed anew in an old opinion. Peoplegenerally regard private employment as a degradation, regardless of theconsideration that the important thing is, in what spirit one serves,and not whom he serves. 'I serve,' is the motto of my maternalancestors."
The old man paused, and Eric did not know whether he was going on, orwaited for a reply; but Clodwig continued: "It is regarded as highlyhonorable when a general officer, or a state official undertakes theeducation of a prince; but is it any the less honorable to engage inthe work of educating thirty peasant lads, or to devote one's self, asyou do, to the bringing up of this wealthy youth? And now I have onerequest to make of you."
"My only desire is to grant it."
"Will you tell me as exactly as possible how, you have so--I mean, howyou have become what you are?"
"Most willingly; and I will deserve the honor of being allowed to speakso unreservedly, by not being too modest. I will speak to you as tomyself."
Clodwig rang a bell that stood upon the table, and a servant entered."Robert, what room is assigned to the doctor?" "The brown one directlyover the count's chamber." "Let the captain have the balcony chamber.""If the count will pardon me, the luggage of Leonhard, Prince ofSaxony, is still in that room." "No matter; and, one thing more, Idesire not to be interrupted until I ring."
The servant departed, and Clodwig settled himself in the arm-chair,drawing a plush sofa-blanket over his knees; then he said, "If I shutmy eyes, do not think that I am asleep."
In the manner with which Clodwig now bade Eric speak out frankly, therewas a trustful kindness, very far removed from all patronizingcondescension; it expressed, rather, an intimate sympathy and a mosthearty confidence. Eric began.