CHAPTER VIII.
A WALK IN THE OPEN AIR.
The rider approached, and was soon by the side of Knopf, who, unable to utter a word, looked in surprise at the noble figure. Eric said, however,—
"Have I the honor of seeing my colleague, Herr Knopf?"
"Yes, I am he."
Eric swung himself quickly from the saddle, and held out his hand.
"I thank you," he said; and at every word which he spoke, at every tone of his voice, Knopf's face brightened; more and more knots and seams showed themselves all over it, as Eric continued,—
"It was my intention to visit you very soon; but I did not want to do so, until I had made my own independent observations on all sides."
"Very right," answered Knopf, "every judgment received from others is a prejudice." With constantly increasing admiration, Knopf looked at Eric, saying,—and the words sounded like a confession of love,—
"I am glad that you are really a handsome man. Ah, you may smile and shake your head, but that counts a great deal in this family, and especially with Roland. The Spartans had the wise law,—horrible indeed, but embodying a deep principle—that no deformed child should be allowed to live. All men ought properly to be handsome."