"Will you permit Herr Dournay to accompany us?" asked Clodwig.
Sonnenkamp started as he answered quickly,—
"I have no permission to give the captain, but if you are determined to go, I would ask him as a favor to accompany you, with a promise of returning to us."
"You will go with us also?" begged Bella of the physician, who assented.
So the four drove off through the mild spring night; little was said, though once Clodwig seized Eric's hand, with the words, "You are very strong."
Eric and the doctor spent the night at Wolfsgarten. In the early morning, the physician prepared for departure while Eric was still sleeping soundly; he woke him and said,—
"Doctor, remain here to-day, but no longer."
Eric stared at him.
"Did you understand me?"
"Yes."