"Indeed! Of the children? Well, I thank you. Pleasant dreams."
Eric went to his chamber. He stood long at the window, gazing out upon the landscape.
The reign of Nature continues through all human revolutions; and happy is he, who, in contemplation of this, can forget himself.
It was a dark night. A black, wide-spreading cloud hung over the mountains. Then a bright streak of light appeared on the edge of the ridge, and stood between the mountains and the cloud, which grew lighter. The moon rose, the black cloud ingulfed it, and now the light shone out on both sides, above and below; but the dark mass was darker than before, while detached masses of a leaden color floated on the right and left.
Eric closed his eyes, and lost himself in thought. When he looked up again, the moon was standing above the dark cloud, and the landscape was bathed in its light, which quivered on the stream. And again, after a time, the moon was hidden by another cloud. Eric looked out long and fixedly, till the cloud had vanished. The whole sky was as clear and bright as steel undimmed by a breath; and peacefully shone the mild sphere of light, high in heaven.
Nature, fixed on firm foundations, works on according to eternal laws. Must it not be so too with human life?
Eric thought of Manna, and with the thought a soft light was spread over every thing, like the radiance now diffused from on high.
CHAPTER VI.
THE BROKEN-OFF TWIG.
While Sonnenkamp was carrying on the arrangements for the trial by jury, Pranken returned looking ill; and, on Sonnenkamp's urging him to tell him what was the matter, he drew forth the letters from his pocket.