"Where is Eric?" asked Roland.
"In the green cottage with his mother. It was considerate on the part of a stranger to retire to his own relations at such a time, and leave the family alone."
Roland was struck by the words. Were Eric and his family strangers?
On arriving at the villa, Fräulein Perini also withdrew hastily, and went to the Priest's house, whence a messenger was soon despatched to the telegraph station.
The parents were alone with their children, but there seemed a chill in the room which banished all feeling of quiet and comfort.
Sonnenkamp and Roland took Manna to her room, where she was pleased to find everything in its old place, and, at sight of the open fire-place filled with beautiful growing plants, turned to her father and thanked him, offering him her hand for the first time, and kissing his; but she could not repress a shudder at touching the ring on his thumb.
When Roland was left alone with his sister, he urged her to visit his grandmother and aunt that very day; but Manna reproved him for giving such names to persons not really related to him.
"Ah, but you must love them too," said Roland.
"Must? One can love nobody upon compulsion. Let me tell you, Roland— but no; there is no need."
She yielded at last to his persuasions, and went with him through the new gateway in the garden wall, along the meadows by the shore.