"If you decline, then no one knows any thing about it, except Herr Dournay and myself."
"Have I said that I was going to decline? You will yet receive one proof how much confidence I place in you: I have made you one of my executors."
"I am much older than you." Sonnenkamp made no reply to this remark, and Weidmann continued,—
"What conclusion have you come to about my request concerning your son?"
"If he will go with you, he has my consent. Allow me one question. Is this the expiation you would exact of me, or a part of it?"
Weidmann said it was not.
The carriage in which the Professorin, Roland, and Manna returned, now entered the court-yard. Weidmann welcomed the Professorin very cordially, having known her a long time ago. He saw now for the first time, as a matron, the once blooming beauty. The three brought from Mattenheim a fresh strength for all that lay before them.
As they were sitting together in the green cottage, a messenger on horseback came from Clodwig to summon Eric to his side.
Weidmann now renewed the proposal for Roland to go with him to Mattenheim. Roland was advised by them all to go. Declaring that he needed no inducement, he readily assented, and drove away with Weidmann, Prince Valerian, and Knopf. He was protected and sheltered by such a number of good men.
Mattenheim was situated on the other bank of the Rhine; and, while the carriage was being ferried across, Roland stood at the stern of the boat, and gazed in silence for a long time at the parental home. Tears came into his eyes; but he restrained them.