"All praise that he receives, honours and gratifies me, because I am his son!"
"His son!" said the Regierungsrath, with a friendly chuckle; "then you probably manage that extensive property."
"Certainly, and entirely upon my own account; because my poor, good-hearted father now contents himself with a very small portion of it."
"Then he has resigned most of the estates to you?" said the Regierungsräthin, who looked upon the promising heir with especial good will.
"All, all, gnädige Frau! He only claims one very small place--the place in the Blandens' family vault--he died half a year ago!"
"Oh, how sad!" said the gnädige Frau, with a sigh, while, speedily consoled, she added--
"Then in you we recognise the heir and owner of these beautiful possessions."
"Alas! I cannot alter it, little talent as I have hitherto displayed in exercising my rights of ownership in a becomingly solemn manner."
The result of this examination was a brilliant one. Rath and Räthin were seized with internal disquiet as to how they could best ensure themselves this gratifying acquaintance for some time. They looked at one another with questioning and answering glances.
Eva was too happy; she did not know why. She concerned herself but little about the master and owner of the property; but the friendly footing between her parents and Blanden made her very happy.