They had to wait some time before Sonnenkamp came, and Manna did not appear until some time afterwards.
Her cheeks were glowing.
They sat there at table so near together, and so far—far apart were they from each other. Eric and Manna looked at each other only once; there was in their glance an expression full of intelligence. Roland said softly to Eric,—
"When the huntsman came home from court there were potatoes on his table."
Eric laid his hand consolingly on his shoulder; he knew everything that was going on in the soul of the youth from this reminiscence. The huntsman was innocent, and here?
Pranken displayed all his tact in managing to bring forward every safe subject of conversation; the building of the castle furnished him abundant material.
They rose from the table, and all separated as before. Roland requested Eric to allow him to remain alone by himself for that day.
CHAPTER XI.
THE BOND OF HONOR.
It was evening. Roland was going through the village. In the streets floated an odor of the May wine; everybody was merry and bustling; the wine-presses were creaking and dripping in the streets, men were moving along slowly with full heavy tubs on their backs.