The ever-fluctuating vicissitudes of human life had once more scattered our little group of friends asunder Sylvester had gone back to his country home Ottmar had travelled away on business and so had Cyprian Vincent was still in the town but after his accustomed fashion he had disappeared in the turmoil and was nowhere to be seen Lothair was nursing Theodore who had been laid on a bed of sickness by a malady long struggled against which was dest...