The Priest entered, and Sonnenkamp addressed him thus:—
"Sir priest, I announce to you, before these witnesses, my resolution to give my Villa for the foundation of a convent, provided my daughter Manna, here, takes the veil, as she has always wished to do."
Manna could not comprehend this. She could not suspect the cruel game which her father was playing with her, with Pranken, with Eric, with the Villa, with every thing. She knew not how to help herself, when, just as the Priest, turning toward her, offered his hand, Eric entered. He saw at once what had happened.
"Do you know who I am?" were the words with which Sonnenkamp turned upon him.
Eric bowed.
"And do you know who this man here is, and this girl? And when you look into that mirror, do you know whose image you see?"
Then, pointing to the wall where the hunting-whip hung, he cried,—
"And do you know what that is yonder? The back of many a slave"—He broke off suddenly:
Eric looked proudly around him, then said in a calm voice,—
"To be whipped by men of a certain sort is no dishonor."