CHAPTER IV.
THE PLACE IS TAKEN.
While the Sonnenkamp family was at the capital, Eric rode toWolfsgarten. He had fought down every traitorous, unholy thought withinhim, or rather had prevented such from rising, and thought only of theobligation that rested on him to show his appreciation of the noblefriendship which Bella had certainly manifested towards him, byspeaking to her of the excellence and truly admirable elevation of herhusband's character. That was his sole purpose, and with a clear andhappy spirit he rode on his way.
He found Clodwig alone, Bella having driven out to make a visit.Clodwig was glad to have Eric for once all to himself; in former visitshe had too often had to amuse himself with the boy, while Eric walkedwith Bella. Clodwig told of the son of a friend of his, the RussianAmbassador at Naples, who had come to pursue under his guidance thestudy of husbandry in Germany. The fact of the abolition of serfdom bythe Emperor of Russia was producing a great moral and economic effect.The landowners would have to increase their own resources, as well asthose of the soil; from mere landowners they must become husbandmen.The young Prince, like most other princes, had been a little wild inParis, but there were the germs of good in him, and a power of willwhich encouraged the most favorable hopes. A sort of sacred zeal forself-sacrifice and devotion to the lower classes was not uncommon amongthe Russians, and often took such strong possession of the gay anddissipated as to recall the conversion of those saints we are told of,who, from the wildest debauchees, have suddenly been made conscious oftheir moral responsibilities.
"But be on your guard," he said, as if instructing Eric. "Noaristocracy in the world is so eager for knowledge as that of Russia;but unhappily their zeal and aspirations run themselves out in a yearor two, and they easily fall back into lazy indifference. They have agreat talent for imitation, but how persevering it will be, or whetherthey can produce anything new, remains to be proved. Perhaps thisfreeing of the serfs is a great moral turning-point."
Eric thought it a glorious proof of the free spirit of the age, thatthis enfranchisement was the work not of the clergy, whose office itmight seem peculiarly to be, but of pure and simple humanity, having noecclesiastical stamp.
"That idea had not occurred to me," answered Clodwig, expressing hisgratitude in word and tone.
The two men were still engaged in far-reaching discussions concerningthe power of the spirit, and Clodwig was just expressing his pain atthe power which brute force exercises over the spirit, so much greaterthan man is willing to acknowledge to himself, when Bella entered. Herface glowed as she greeted Eric; and her companion, an elegant butrather blase-looking young man, gave him a gracious salutation. He wasglad, he said, that Eric spoke French so fluently, for his own Germanwas very clumsy; and he added that Eric's French descent was apparentin his accent, which was such as only a French tongue was capable of.
After separating for a short time, the party reassembled for a secondbreakfast in the room opening on the garden.
Clodwig must have strongly impressed upon the Russian the advantages hewould derive from intercourse with Eric, for the young man addressedhim at once by saying, "I should be very glad if you would let me learnsomething from you."
He said it so confidingly, and with so much of a child's submission,that Eric gave him his hand, saying,--
"I am sure I shall be able to learn something from you too."
"Except whist, which every one says I play exceedingly well, I amafraid there is nothing to be learned from me," laughed the Russian.
Then, as a man who at once looks to the producers for a knowledge ofthe products of a country, he said,--
"I hear that philosophy has gone out of fashion in Germany; can youtell me any reason for the fact?"
Clodwig nodded; the topic was well chosen, and the question modestlyput.
Eric suggested as his opinion, without having any definite informationto give on the subject, that perhaps philosophy was regarded less as aseparate science, and had become the groundwork of all the sciences.
"Are you of opinion," asked the Prince, "that the categoricalimperative of Kant, and the French Revolution, have tended to the sameresults?"
Bella laid back her head, and looked up into the blue sky. The men wereentering upon themes which, in deference to her, ought to be postponedto another time, but she would be patient and listen.
Eric explained that the principle of Kant, "So act that you can wishthe rule of your actions to be the rule of all human actions,"established the same ideal as the French Revolution, with its equalitybefore the law; there are to be no more privileged classes.
"But does not this equality destroy all greatness, all genius?" askedthe Russian.
Bella thought this a good opportunity for breaking her silence, andquickly choosing her side, she added:--.
"I would go further, and ask if richly endowed natures do not make newlaws in the intellectual and political world, as well as the aesthetic."
Clodwig smiled to hear his wife thus trotting out her hobby-horse, butEric answered, smilingly,--"That is the miserable mistake for whichJesuitism in the Church, and frivolity in the world, are equallyanswerable. Peculiar natures have been granted by the world, and havecome to claim for themselves, certain exceptional privileges andimmunities, which, if generally allowed, would be subversive of humansociety. What are called superior natures have greater responsibilitiesthan others, but no exceptional rights. Before God and the moral senseof humanity, we are all equal, as Christianity exhaustively expressesin the words, 'we are all children of God.' Children are equal beforetheir father. But the Church grants indulgences; the State, rights ofprimogeniture; sophistry, moral exemptions. No single man of iron willcome to establish the new kingdom of equality; the kingdom is at hand;its road is the iron rail, its horse is the steam."
"You speak well; it is a great pleasure to me to have made youracquaintance," said the Prince to Eric. "I pray you to come often tosee me; or will you let me come to you?"
Eric, who, in his excitement, had said more than he intended, expressedhis thanks, saying at the same time that he must consecrate his timeand strength to his pupil. He was angry with himself at thus speakingout his whole heart on every occasion, instead of adopting the lightconversational tone of society. He thought he knew what the young noblemeant by his compliment. A beautiful way of speaking, indeed! A newdish, a new sauce, new music, charming capriccios! None but a foolwould expose the treasures of his heart to them.
Eric was struck with the expression of Bella's face; it was set andhard. What have I done, she thought, that he should read me such alesson about no one claiming exemption from the rule of morality? Shewas thoroughly angry, and with difficulty forced a smile to her face.She soon controlled herself, however, and managed to make the two youngmen enter upon a little passage of arms before her.
The Prince had the advantage of Eric in a knowledge of current events,and in practical experience of the world. Eric readily granted thevictory to be on his opponent's side in many instances.
As they were walking in the garden, the Prince leaning familiarly onEric's arm, he asked if Eric was acquainted with Herr Weidmann, to whomClodwig intended to send him.
Eric replied that he had only seen him once or twice, but that he wasuniversally esteemed.
"If you should happen to have any friend like yourself," said thePrince, pressing Eric's arm as he spoke, "if you should know any onewhom you could recommend to be my guide and instructor, I could makeprovision for him for life, or--excuse the question--would you yourselfperhaps--?"
Eric declined the honor, but promised to bear the subject of aninstructor in mind.
Bella joined them, and Eric walked by the side of the other two, hismind agitated by a variety of emotions. He had pondered so carefully onthe best way of drawing himself and Bella back from that dangerousboundary line of friendship, and here his pains had been thrown away,for another already occupied his place. His vanity was secr
etly woundedthat this man of the world, with his prettily-dressed nothings, shouldat once have become a greater favorite than he with his tiresomesolidities and all his historical luggage. At heart he was indignant atBella's familiarity with the Russian, and a strange confusion offeeling arose within him. Should he be glad to think this woman nothingbut a coquette, trifling now with one man and now with another? or did,Bella thus act only to make less marked her intimacy with himself,which she desired not to display before others?
His mind was harassed by opposite emotions; one moment he was glad ofthe lesson he had received, for now he could go back to his work withan unburdened mind; the next he was again angry with himself for hisignorance of the ways of polite society.
The Doctor's arrival changed as usual the current of the conversation.One sharp glance embraced Bella, Eric, and the Russian, and seemed toreveal to him their respective positions. Bella and the Doctor alwayshad a little private warfare going on between them.