"We must not trust too much to the knowledge of the present day," said the Professor; "but if it were so," he continued, his eyes flashing, "if the imperial history of the first century, as written by Tacitus, were restored by a propitious fate, it would be a gift so great that the thought of the possibility of it might well, like Roman wine, intoxicate an honest man." "Invaluable," assented the Doctor, "for our knowledge of the language, and for a hundred particulars of Roman history." "And for the early history of Germany!" exclaimed the Professor. Both traversed the room with rapid steps, shook hands, and looked at each other joyfully. "And if a fortunate accident should put us on the track of this manuscript," began Fritz, "if through you it should be restored to the light of day, you, my friend, you are best fitted to edit it. The thought that you would experience such a pleasure, and that a work of such renown would fall to your lot, makes me happier than I can say." "If we can find the manuscript," answered the Professor, "we must edit it together." "Together?" exclaimed Fritz, with surprise. "Yes, together," said the Professor, with decision; "it would make your ability widely known." Fritz drew back. "How can you think that I would be so presumptuous?" "Do not contradict me," exclaimed the Professor, "you are perfectly qualified for it." "That I am not," answered Fritz, firmly; "and I am too proud to undertake anything for which I should have to thank your kindness more than my own powers." "That is undue modesty," again exclaimed the Professor. "I shall never do it," answered Fritz. "I could not for one moment think of adorning myself before the public with borrowed plumage." "I know better than you," said the Professor, indignantly, "what you are able to do, and what is to your advantage." "At all events, I would never agree that you should have the lion's share of the labor and secretly be deprived of the reward. Not my modesty, but my self-respect forbids this. And this feeling you ought to respect," concluded Fritz, with great energy. "Now," returned the Professor, restraining his excited feelings, "we are behaving like the man who bought a house and field with the money procured by the sale of a calf which was not yet born. Be calm, Fritz; neither I nor you shall edit the manuscript." "And we shall never know how the Roman Emperor treated the ill fated Thusnelda and Thumelicus!" said Fritz, sympathizingly to his friend.