"Stop!" screamed out the Ensign, for Roland had fallen senseless from his chair.
He was carried out of the room, and restored to consciousness. Fortunately, a carriage now drove up, from which Pranken got out. Roland was lifted into it, and they drove to the hotel.
Shaking with a fever fit, and wrapped up in a soldier's cloak, Roland sat in one corner of the carriage. He would occasionally open his eyes, and then close them again.
Pranken told him that he ought to despise the world, but Roland was silent; once only he heaved a deep sigh and exclaimed,—
"O Eric!" They reached the hotel. Joseph was waiting before the door. The first word that Roland spoke was a request to be left alone. He went up the steps with Joseph.
"You are to go to your father," said Joseph.
Roland nodded, but when he had gone up-stairs he hastened to his room and locked the door.
Joseph went to Sonnenkamp and told him that Roland had returned.
"He is to come to me," he said.
"He has locked himself in."