"I will never again imitate Candidate Knopf, that I vow from this day forth."
The boy, who was excited by wine and by talking, became suddenly quiet, and disappeared, so that the servants had to be sent in search of him. He was found on the forward deck with his dog, great tears in his eyes; he allowed himself to be led back to his friends without opposition, but he continued silent.
The steamboat glided on and on; the vineyards glowed in the midday sunshine, and soon it was said,—
"Only two more stops, then comes the convent."
Roland went back to his dog, and said,—
"Griffin, now we are going to Manna; aren't you glad?" It was still high noon when they landed by the weeping-willows on the shore, and entered the refreshing shade of the park which surrounded the convent. The servants were left in a large inn on the other bank of the river.
No one was on the shore awaiting the travellers, although their coming had been announced beforehand.
"Manna not here?" asked Sonnenkamp as he sprang ashore, and the fierce look, which he generally knew how to conceal, came into his face.
Frau Ceres only turned her head towards him, and he became gentle and mild.
"I only hope the good child is not sick," he added, in a tone which would have suited a hermit doing penance.