life, how could I then doubt the authenticity of the intelligence given me by honest Erich? I have bemoaned thy untimely fate, what more could I have done?"
Hellfried was satisfied with what his friend said in his defence, and found now an additional reason of being pleased with his having seen him once more.
"Brother!" exclaimed he, "let us forget our age and let us live together, as long as I can remain with thee, as if the thirty years since we have seen each other never had existed, and be as merry as we have been in our youthful days."
Herrman's cheek glowed with pleasure, he squeezed his Hellfried's hand, and both of them were as happy as it is possible to be in this vain world.
Six days were now passed in mutual joy: Herrman resided at a country seat, situated onthe
