"Yes, you shall know all,—ah, what is all? You have heard of the fate of Captain Brown at Harper's Ferry?"
"Certainly. Was Herr Sonnenkamp there too?"
"He was a ringleader."
Eric related how Roland at one time in his fever dreams shouted, "John Brown is hanging on the gallows!"
The more he spoke of Roland, the more feelingly his voice trembled, and at last hot tears burst from his eyes. He apologized for this weakness before Weidmann, who said:—
"Your tears consecrate you in my eyes forever; you shall find in me a friend whom you may call upon at any time and in any situation of life. Whatever is in my power is yours, your deeds shall be mine. You are not weak, you are strong, you must be; and it is a noble vocation for you to be placed as you are at the side of such a youth, with such a fatal inheritance."
Eric Stood up and drew a long deep breath; the two men held fast each other's hands, and laying his left on his heart, Eric said:—
"I hope that I shall show myself worthy of your appeal."
"I knew this, and it is better, as I said, that you have learned the thing from me. There's no doubt about the matter, depend upon it."
For a long while not a word was spoken. Eric had called out Manna's name with Roland's and his mother's. Now, for the first time, in the deepest sorrow, it broke upon him fully, that he loved Manna; and with a sense of satisfaction the thought shot through his soul that he had not yet spoken to her a word of love.