he loved life and had fled to South America where, in spite of
humiliations, he had finally triumphed.

Wealth effaces the spots of the past even more rapidly than Time. The
news of his fortune on the other side of the ocean made his family give
him a warm reception on his first voyage home; introducing him again
into their world. Nobody could remember shameful stories about a few
hundred marks concerning a man who was talking about his father-in-law's
lands, more extensive than many German principalities. Now, upon
installing himself definitely in his country, all was forgotten. But,
oh, the contributions levied upon his vanity . . . Desnoyers shrewdly
guessed at the thousands of marks poured with both hands into the
charitable works of the Empress, into the imperialistic propagandas,
into the societies of veterans, into the clubs of aggression and
expansion organized by German ambition.

The frugal Frenchman, thrifty in his expenditures and free from social
ambitions, smiled at the grandeurs of his brother-in-law. He considered
Karl an excellent companion although of a childish pride. He recalled
with satisfaction the years that they had passed together in the
country. He could not forget the German who was always hovering around
him, affectionate and submissive as a younger brother. When his family
commented with a somewhat envious vivacity upon the glories of their
Berlin relatives, Desnoyers would say smilingly, "Leave them in peace;
they are paying very dear for their whistle."

But the enthusiasm which the letters from Germany breathed finally
created an atmosphere of disquietude and rebellion. Chichi led the
attack. Why were they not going to Europe like other folks? all their
friends had been there. Even the Italian and Spanish shopkeepers were