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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/16422-8.txt b/16422-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..62ba1ac --- /dev/null +++ b/16422-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5579 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Home in the Valley, by Emilie F. Carlén + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Home in the Valley + +Author: Emilie F. Carlén + +Translator: Elbert Perce + +Release Date: August 3, 2005 [EBook #16422] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HOME IN THE VALLEY *** + + + + +Produced by Bill Tozier, Barbara Tozier, Sigal Alon and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + +[Transcriber's Note: Some words which appear to be typos or misspelled +are printed thus in the original book.] + + + + +THE +HOME IN THE VALLEY. + +By +EMILIE F. CARLÉN, + +Author of "One Year Of Wedlock," "The Whimsical Woman," +"Gustavus Lindorm," etc. etc. + +From the original Swedish by +ELBERT PERCE. + + +New York +Charles Scribner, 145 Nassau-street. + +1854. + + + Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1854, by + CHARLES SCRIBNER, + in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States + for the Southern District of New York. + + + +Tobitt's Combination-Type, +181 William St. + + + + + +TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE + + +A few years ago, Mrs. Carlén was comparatively unknown to readers in +this country; but the marked success which followed the publication of +"One Year of Wedlock" encouraged the translator in the endeavor to +present that lady's works to the American public. + +In her writings Mrs. Carlén exhibits a versatility which may be +considered remarkable. While in one book she revels in descriptions of +home-scenes and characters, in another she presents her readers with +events and incidents that bear a strong resemblance to the startling +and melo-dramatic productions of many of the modern romance writers of +France. + +This peculiarity, however, may be accounted for by the fact that she +writes--as she herself confesses--entirely from impulse. + +When her mind is clouded by sorrow--and she has been oppressed with many +bitter griefs--she seeks to remove the cause of her despondency by +creating a hero or heroine, afflicted like herself, and following this +individual through a train of circumstances which, she imagines, would +naturally occur during a life of continued gloom and sorrow. + +On the other hand, when life appears bright and beautiful to her, then +she tells a tale of joy; a story of domestic life, for where does pure +happiness exist except at the fireside at home? + +It must have been during one of these bright intervals of her life that +Mrs. Carlén wrote "The Home in the Valley," for the work is a continued +description of the delights of home, which, although occasionally +obscured by grief, and in some instances, by folly, are rendered still +more precious by their brief absence. + +_New York_, August 15th, 1854. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE VALLEY. + + +In one of father La Fontaine's books, may be found a description of a +lovely valley, the residence of a beautiful and modest maiden, and of +the heroine of this Arcadia he writes: + +"There stands our heroine, as lovely as the valley, her home, and as +virtuous and good as her mother, who has devoted a lifetime to the +education of her daughter." + +But with the history of this maiden he weaves the workings of an evil +genius, which in the end is triumphant; for even the pure are +contaminated after they arrive at that period when they consider that +vice has its virtues. + +Our story is located near the beautiful Lake Wenner, in a valley which +much resembles that described by La Fontaine. As we enter this valley, +the first object that meets our view is a small red-colored cottage. A +vine twines itself gracefully over one of the windows, the glass panes +of which glisten through the green leaves, which slightly parted, +disclose the sober visage of an ancient black cat, that is demurely +looking forth upon the door yard. She has chosen a sunny spot on the +window sill, for the cheering beams of the sun are as grateful to a cat, +as is the genial warmth of the stove to an old man, when winter has +resumed his sway upon earth. If we should enter the cottage, we would in +all probability find the proprietor of the little estate seated in his +old arm-chair, while his daughter-in-law--but more of this anon. + +From the cottage the ground descended in a slight slope, which +terminated in a white sandy beach at the margin of the lake. Near the +beach were fastened the small skiffs, which swayed to and fro amongst +the rushes, where the children delighted to sail their miniature ships. +From the rear of the house the little valley extended itself in +undulating fields and meadows, interspersed with barren hillocks and +thrifty potato patches. In the fields could be heard the tinkling of the +cow-bells, the bleating of lambs, and the barking of a dog as he +gathered together his little flock. Carlo was a fortunate dog, for the +farm was so small that he could keep his entire charge within sight at +all times. + +Near the centre of the valley stood a large tree, the widely spread +branches of which shaded a spring, which gushed forth from beneath a +huge moss-covered stone. This was the favorite place of resort of a +beautiful maiden, who might be seen almost every summer evening +reclining upon the moss that bordered the verge of the spring. + +"There stands our heroine, as lovely as the valley, her home, and as +virtuous and good as her mother, who has devoted a lifetime to the +education of her daughter." + +But many years before the date of our story, Nanna had lost the +protection of her beloved mother; yet the loss had been partially +supplied by her sister-in-law, who occupied the places of a kind mother, +a gentle sister, and a faithful friend. + +Nanna was now in her sixteenth year; but to all appearances she was much +younger. Unlike others of her years, her cheeks did not display the +bloom of maidenhood, and her countenance lacked the vivacity natural to +her age. Her features wore an expression of melancholy, which was +perfectly in keeping with the pallor of her cheeks, the pearly whiteness +of which vied in brilliancy with the hue of a lily. + +Nanna was the child of poverty, and belonged to that class of beings, +who, situated between riches and nobility on the one hand, and poverty +on the other, are considered as upstarts by the wealthy as well as the +poor. + +Nanna's father, when young, was placed in an entirely different position +of life than that in which we now find him. An illegitimate son, he +entered the world with a borrowed title, but with fair prospects for the +future; for his father, a man of consequence and wealth, intended to +marry his mother, and thus the son would bear no longer the stigma of +his father's crime. But death, who in this case had been forgotten, +suddenly cut the thread of his father's life, and the mother and son +were driven forth from the house of their protector, deprived of honor, +wealth, and station. + +This is an old, very old and thread-bare story, and not more novel is +that which generally follows. First comes melancholy, then great +exertions on the part of the injured party; next dashed hope, and +finally gloomy resignation. + +The mother died, the son lived to pass through the life we have above +described, but which was ended, however, by matrimony. He married after +he had passed his fortieth year. + +Before his marriage, Carl Lonner passed through the various gradations +in society, from the nobleman to the simple gentleman. He supported +himself by revenues he derived from a small business, and by drawing up +legal papers for the surrounding peasantry and fishermen. For a wife he +had chosen the daughter of a half pay sergeant, and in this case his +fortunate star was in the ascendant, for she not only brought him a +loving heart, but also the little farm on which he resided at the date +of our story. + +We will now, however, turn our attentions to Nanna, who is sitting +beneath the tree near the spring, in which she has been bathing her +feet. + + * * * * * + +As Nanna glanced into the clear water of the spring, she shuddered +convulsively, although the air was warm, for it was a June evening, but +it was a shudder from within that shook her slight form. Nanna had +lately perceived that her dear sister-in-law, Magde, when she thought +herself unseen, had shed tears, and the poor girl's heart beat with a +sensation of undefined fear, for when Magde weeps, thought she, there +must have been a great cause. + +"Why is the world so formed as it is? Some flowers are so modest and +little that they would be trodden under foot unless great care is taken, +while others elevate their great and gaudy heads above the grass. The +latter are the rich, while the little down-trodden blossoms are the +poor. And so it is with even the birds! one is greater than the other, +and mankind is not behind them. We belong to the poor; there," she +continued, turning her deep eyes towards a distant point in the horizon, +on the other side of the lake, "there lives the rich; they take no +notice of us. Even the poor fishermen and peasants say, 'Our children +cannot be the play-fellows of Mademoiselle Nanna.' Mademoiselle, +Mademoiselle," she repeated slowly, "it is shameful to call me so! and +how much better it would be to call Magde good mother, than to give her +the title of My Lady! To be poor is not so bad, but to be friendless is +bitter indeed." + +As she thus sat, with her eyes fixed mournfully upon the distant object +which was the roof of an elegant house, which was barely visible over +the brow of a hill, she was startled by the noise of approaching +footsteps. She had scarcely cast her mantle over her white shoulders, +which she had uncovered during her ablutions, when, to her great +astonishment, she discovered a stranger rapidly approaching towards her. +He was clothed in a light frock coat; a knapsack was fastened upon his +shoulders, and in his hand he swung a knotted stick. Nanna had never +before beheld a personage who resembled the stranger. His face, browned +in the sun, until it resembled that of a gipsy, wore an honest and frank +expression, and his dark curling hair, which fell in thick clusters from +his black felt hat, added to the pleasing aspect of his countenance. + +Nanna, who at her first glance at the youth, had thought him a gipsy, +which wild tribe she greatly feared, was reassured by a second look. + +The stranger, on his side, appeared greatly astonished at the sudden +appearance of the beautiful water nymph, for such a goddess Nanna much +resembled, as she stood, with her garments flowing gracefully around her +slight figure; her tiny white feet playing with the moist grass, and her +pale and mournful face, encircled with golden locks, that fell +negligently upon her white and well rounded shoulders. + +The youth thus addressed her: + +"Pardon me, lovely naiad. It appears that I have taken the wrong path, +although I supposed that I had chosen the right direction." + +"Whither are you going?" inquired Nanna, in a voice sweet and melodious. + +"To Almvik," replied the stranger. + +"Alas!" said the maid, casting a peculiar glance at his knapsack, "I +hoped that you were not a member of the aristocracy." + +"Oh, my little sylph, for I know not what else to call you, is my face +so poor a recommendation, that I cannot be considered a man because I +carry a pack on my back?" + +"Are those of noble birth the only men?" inquired Nanna, and a gloomy +expression fell upon her lips, which a moment before had been illumined +with a sunny smile. + +"Ah," replied the youth, "the longer I gaze upon your dear face, the +more I esteem you. Far be it from me to wound your sensitive nature. If +it will comfort you, I will say that no man can long more earnestly +than I do for the time when all mankind shall be equal." + +"Do you speak from your heart?" + +"I do, earnestly; but tell me your name." + +"Nanna, Nanna of the Valley, I am called." + +"That is poetical; but have you no other name?" + +"I am sometimes called Mademoiselle Nanna; but that grieves me, for we +are poor people." + +"Ah! I thought that you were something more than a peasant girl. Pardon +me, I have spoken too familiarly. I knew not your station." + +"Familiarly!" + +"I addressed you too warmly." + +"Your words sounded well when you thus spoke." + +"Possibly; but henceforth I shall address you as Mademoiselle Nanna." + +"Shall we then see each other again?" + +"Yes, yes, quite probably--we are to be neighbors." + +"You intend, then, to reside at Almvik?" + +"Yes, for a few weeks, perhaps during the whole summer; but I pray you +come with me a few steps on my road, I need your guidance." + +Nanna sprang to her feet, and as she stood before the young man, her +eyes sparkling with unusual brilliancy, her garments falling in graceful +folds over her sylph-like limbs, he gazed at her as if enchained by her +almost superhuman beauty. To the youthful stranger's request she +answered by putting her little white feet in such active motion, that +they seemed to tread upon the air instead of the green sward. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE COTTAGE. + + +The interior of the little building to which we now turn, was thus +arranged: The ground floor was divided into a kitchen and three other +apartments, viz:--a middle sized room, by favor called the parlor, in +which was generally the dwelling place of the family, and a small +chamber on either side of the parlor. One of these was the bed-chamber +of Carl Lonner, and the other was occupied by his eldest son and his +wife. + +The upper story, that is, the attic, contained two divisions, and the +sole dominion of these airy apartments was granted to two younger +members of the family; the front room belonging to Nanna, and the other +to her brother Carl, known in the neighborhood by the nick-name of +"Wiseacre," and under certain circumstances as "Crazy Carl," although it +would have been difficult to find throughout the entire neighborhood a +personage wiser than honest Carl. + +Throughout the entire building the marks of poverty were plainly +evident; but at the same time each object presented a tidy and cleanly +appearance and although the cottage lacked many luxuries, still comfort +seemed to reign supreme. The rush covered floor; the table, polished to +brightness; and the flower vases, filled with odorous boquets of lilacs, +the neat window curtains, the handicraft of Nanna, the crimson sofa +curtain, embroidered by the thrifty Magde, all combined, proved that the +inmates of the cottage, had not only the taste, but also the inclination +to render home pleasant even under the most adverse circumstances. + + * * * * * + +At the time that Nanna had started forth as a guide to the youthful +stranger, old Mr. Lonner was seated near the side of his bed in his +private apartment. Although weighed down by age and the grief that had +oppressed his early life, he nevertheless possessed that gentleness and +sociability, which had ever been the characteristic traits of his life. +His flowing white locks fell around his countenance, from which the +traces of manly beauty had not been entirely eradicated, and as he +smoked his pipe with an air of dignified pleasure, he would occasionally +glance towards a young matron, who, seated in a large arm chair, was +reading aloud a letter to him. + +The letter bore the postmark of Goteborg, and was written by the old +man's eldest son, Ragnar Lonner, the husband of the matron. He was mate +of a trading vessel, and three months before had bidden farewell to his +wife and family. As she continued reading the letter, three children who +had been playing, commenced a little dispute about the proprietorship of +a large apple. In an opposite corner Carl had stationed himself. He was +a full grown youth with a face bearing an expression of mingled +silliness and wisdom.--As he glanced from under his long hair, first at +the bed-quilt, then at the quarrelling children, he paid close attention +to all that his sister-in-law was reading aloud. Carl was not the +simpleton people considered him, although his highest ambition appeared +to consist in erecting dirt houses and making mud-pies. + +"Magde," said the old man, casting a glance of affection upon the +vivacious Magdalena. "You had better read that letter again. Ragnar is a +son who has his heart in the right place." + +"And a husband too!" added Magde, and a flush of joyful pride overspread +her blooming cheeks. + +"Yes, and a brother also; read the letter once more, it will be none +the less pleasant to read it a third time when Nanna returns." + +Magde, who had not refolded the letter, commenced reading again, and her +voice trembled with pride and emotion as she read as follows:-- + + "Beloved Magde: + + "When you shall break the seal of this letter, I feel assured that + you will wish you possessed wings that you might be enabled to fly + to your loving husband. And as I think I see you approaching me + through the air, surrounded by our little angels,--may God protect + them,--the tears start to my eyes, tears which no man should be + ashamed to shed, and I feel an inward desire to hasten to meet you. + + "But now, dear Magde, I must control my thoughts, and so direct + them to you, that they shall prove intelligible. I arrived, on the + eighth day of this month, at Goteborg, in safety and in good + health. I hope our father is well and capable of enjoying as usual, + the balmy air and bright verdure of summer. + + "Our little cottage is a pleasant residence, in spite of all its + disadvantages, and I feel assured that both yourself and Nanna do + all that lies in your power to cheer our mutual parent, when he is + sick and dispirited. + + "One night while our vessel was lying in the canal, I was visited + by an evil dream, but dreams are empty and meaningless, and I hope + that no more of my disagreeable fancies will be realized than that + you at home, may experience a little anxiety and solicitude + concerning the welfare of the absent one. + + "The Spring of the year is always the most severe season, for + winter consumes the harvest of the preceding summer. + + "Well, we have many mouths to feed--God protect our children.--When + they are older they will work for us. It was my intention to send + you a small sum of money in this letter; but I was obliged to wait + until Jon Jonson, who is here at present with his sloop, shall + commence his homeward voyage, for I can place no dependence upon + young Rask to whom I am obliged to entrust this letter, as he might + be tempted on his way to the post office to enter a beer-house, and + there lose the money. I am forced to send Rask to the office, as I + am obliged to remain on the vessel until it is unloaded. + + "I will tell you in advance that I shall not be able to send you a + large amount of money; but instead of that, I shall forward you + when Jonson returns, a quantity of foreign goods which I have been + fortunate enough to purchase and to place on board his sloop + without paying the duty, which you know is heavy. It consists of + sugar, coffee, tobacco, cotton yarn, and a package of silks. + + "You, my dear wife, must select the best, a silk shawl which you + will find in the package. Nanna may have the next best shawl, and + you may give Carl the blue handkerchief which is at the bottom of + the parcel. I have not forgotten father. I shall send him a small + cask of liquor, and in the parcel of silks you will find a bundle + of toys for the children. + + "You cannot imagine--but still you must--how pleasant it is to + deprive oneself of luxuries that you may provide for the wants of + those whom you have left at home. + + "My ship-mates frequently say that I am severe towards them when at + sea, perhaps I am; but it grieves me when I see those noble men, so + skillful in the management of our vessel, lavish their money when + on shore in foolish pleasures. They have as great reason to be + economical as I have myself, and I cannot resist from occasionally + censuring them, and therefore I may not appear so kind to them as I + am to you when at home, or while I am writing this letter. Although + all my efforts may be fruitless, still I feel assured that there is + not one man amongst them who would not peril his existence to + rescue 'the tiger,' as they call me, from any danger. They well + know that I would not stop to think, but would spring into the + ocean at once, if it was necessary, to rescue them. + + "But, my dear Magde, a word in confidence. I am neither as wise or + as well educated as my father was in his younger days, yet I would + not wound your feelings either by word or action; but I must inform + you that a rumor has reached my ears about a certain man, whose + neck I once would have twisted willingly, because, when in church, + he looked at you oftener than he did at the minister. + + "But if, when I return, I discover that that villain from Almvik + has been poaching on my grounds, he must look to safety. In you, + Magde, I can place all confidence, and shall therefore say nothing + further. And now farewell. Remember me firstly to my father, and + then to my sister, and my children. + + "Your faithful husband, + "RAGNAR LONNER. + + "P.S. During the soft moonlight nights, when on my watch, I see + your form, dear Magde, bright and beautiful, as I look over the + wake of the vessel. And when the night is dark and cloudy, I see + you sitting by my side, the binnacle light shining upon your + pleasant face, which is illumined with smiles as I gaze upon little + Conrad, whom I imagine a fine full grown lad, climbing the shrouds + with all the eagerness of a competent sailor. But, belay, otherwise + my letter will be under sail again." + +When Magde read the portion of her husband's letter which he had +intended as confidential, her voice trembled as it did when she had +first read the letter. + +"It would have been my desire," said she, "that Ragnar had sent the +money in the letter. It has been more than three weeks, dear father, +since you have partaken of other food than fish, bread and potatoes. +Ah! I wish we had a quarter of beef!" + +"O, stop your prating, child! Fish is very good food indeed." + +"But not strengthening. How delicious it would be if we only had a +partridge, or even a rabbit. Certainly they would not cost much! But who +dare think of such luxuries? All delicacies must be sent to Almvik." + +"God grant that we may have nothing worse to expect from Almvik, than +that they should prevent us from enjoying luxuries that poor people +cannot expect to procure." + +"O, that is not my opinion. In winter-time, when Ragnar is at home, he +procures us many a savory dish with his gun." + +"Yes, but I think that if Ragnar has disturbed the hunting grounds of +Almvik, he may consider himself fortunate if the proprietor has not +poached upon his own premises in return. The affairs of Almvik are far +differently conducted than they were formerly, under the sway of the +ancient proprietor." + +During their conversation the old man and Magde had taken no notice of +Carl, who, while he listened to their words, contorted his face in such +a manner that it would have been difficult to decide whether he was +laughing or crying. He placed his hands over his face; but between his +fingers his eyes could be seen peering out with a peculiar expression at +Magde. + +"I will no longer feign ignorance of your meaning, father," replied +Magde, with a visible effort to suppress her anger. "It is true that in +words, and even in actions, he has conducted himself with more +presumption than he would have dared to assume last winter; but fear +not, I well know how to protect the honor of my name." + +"And as you thus speak you vainly endeavor to conceal your emotions," +said the old man suspiciously. + +"Do not think that he has endeavored to plant his snare for a simple +dove. When he would snatch his prize, he may learn that I possess both +beak and talons." + +"Well, my child," replied Mr. Lonner, with a laugh, "it is a fortunate +chance that you are the daughter of a father who was a man of the world; +but your birth entitled you to a higher position in life than that which +you now occupy." + +"You speak strangely, father." + +"Why, you might have married Mr. Trystedt who possessed riches and +lands, while now you live in absolute poverty." + +"Why should you think of that? Is it not better to live in poverty with +love, than to possess untold riches without love? Does the whole earth +contain a better husband than my Ragnar? Is he not a skillful sailor? I +have no doubt but that had he not been married he would long ago have +been promoted to a captaincy. He is a thousand times more of a +gentleman, at any time, than that old Trystedt, who was a torment to all +he whom he met." + +"Thank God! If you are satisfied, then all is right, and even if we are +at present in straightened circumstances all will be made right when +Jonson arrives. I hope that he will be careful of the goods entrusted to +him." + +A slight noise in an adjoining room, notified the mother that her infant +child had awakened. She instantly arose and left the apartment. Magde +was a dignified and elegant woman, although her countenance was pleasing +rather than beautiful, and as she moved towards the door the old man's +eyes followed her with a gaze of admiration and love. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +HUSBAND AND WIFE. + + +About a half a mile from the valley--the name of which we shall conceal, +as many personages who are to play a part in our little story are still +living--was situated the estate of Almvik, which the present proprietor +Fabian H----, had purchased one year before, and had immediately removed +thither with his family. + +Mr. H----, and above all his puissant wife Mistress Ulrica Eugenia, her +proper name, but which she had afterwards tortured into the more refined +patronymic, Ulrique Eugenie--were individuals who moved in the higher +classes of society, at least he who should endeavor to prove to the +contrary would find the task a thankless one. + +Mr. Fabian H----, imagined himself a second Brutus, that is to say; he +was fully convinced that the time would certainly arrive when he should +arouse himself from his present listlessness; when he should be released +from the thraldom of his wife, and awaken to renewed strength and vigor. +But it was much to be feared that poor Brutus never would realize his +bright anticipations of liberty. + +Mistress Ulrica Eugenia was characterized by a strong desire to assist +in the work of emancipating women from the tyranny of men, and that she +might forward the good work she had entirely set at naught the command +that a wife should obey her husband; she openly declared that the +ancient law which compelled the woman to subserve to the man, was but a +concoction of man himself, that the Bible itself never contained such an +absurd command, but that the translators, who she triumphantly affirmed +were men, had placed that law in the scripture, merely to suit their own +selfish ends. She also affirmed that she would stake her life upon the +issue that she would not find, even if she should search the scriptures +through, such an absurd command. And she was right. _She_ would not find +it. + +In the immediate neighborhood of Almvik, Mr. H---- was reverenced as a +wealthy nobleman, and a man of power. He wished to be considered a +hospitable man, and frequently rejoiced his neighbors with invitations +to visit his beautiful estate. To him strangers were godsends. He +entertained them to the best of his ability, invited the neighbors to +see them, and although his little soirees were very pleasant, still, as +the guests were drawn from all classes of society, many amusing scenes +were enacted, in all of which, Mistress Ulrica Eugenia performed a +prominent and independent part. + +Although Mrs. Ulrica had liberated herself from all obedience to her +legal master, and had in fact assumed the reins of government herself, +she nevertheless possessed some, if not a great deal of affection for +the rosy cheeks and sleepy eyes of her husband, and at the same time she +kept a watchful eye upon those whom she suspected of partaking with her +in this sentiment. Not only was Mrs. H---- occasionally aggravated by +the pangs of jealousy, but she was also tormented by the thought that +her husband entirely confided in her own fidelity, thus at once cutting +off the possibility of a love quarrel and a reconciliation. + +Upon the evening when we first made the personal acquaintance of the +inmates of Almvik, Mr. H---- and his wife were riding out in their gig; +for in the morning they rode in a light hunting wagon, and at noon they +used the large family coach. + +Mr. H----, immediately before starting forth on the ride had received a +severe lecture from his spouse, because he indulged in an afternoon's +nap, instead of devising means for the amusement of the family, that +is, of the worthy dame herself, and their only treasure, the little +Eugene Ulrich, and Mr. H----, we say, never felt inclined for sprightly +conversation after such a lecture. + +He well knew that he would be obliged to succumb in everything; but like +a stubborn boy, who is punished by being compelled to stand in a corner +until shame forces him to submit, Mr. H---- determined, to speak +figuratively--to stand silently in that corner the entire day rather +than to acknowledge himself conquered. + +That was, at least, one point gained, towards his emancipation. It +cannot but be supposed, however, that, if the lecture had been upon any +other subject less trivial than the mere act of sleeping, Mr. H---- +would have undoubtedly acted in an entirely different manner. At least +that is the only excuse we can find for his conduct on this occasion. + +"Well," said Mistress Ulrica, straightening herself up in her seat with +the utmost dignity, "upon my honor, Mr. H----, you are a _very_ +agreeable companion." + +"I am obliged to be careful while driving." + +"Is it necessary that you should sit there as dumb as a fence post?" + +No reply. + +"Well, I must say that your sulkiness is not to be envied. Suppose some +one should see us--I mean you--why they would readily believe that your +wife was an old woman." + +"Now, now, my dear Ulrique Eugenie, don't--" + +"Your dear Ulrique Eugenie is not yet thirty eight years old, and even +though you are two years younger, I do not think that should make any +difference." + +"On the contrary, on the contrary," grumbled her husband, chuckling +inwardly. + +"I do not know but what your words have a double meaning; but Fabian, +_we_ must not quarrel, let us become reconciled, there is my hand." + +"Your heart ever overflows with the milk of human kindness, my dear," +said he. + +"Thank you, my dear husband,--but can you imagine what I really intended +to say?" + +"Indeed I cannot." + +"I intended to say, should you ever cast your eyes upon another--" + +"God forbid!" + +"You may well say God forbid, am I not your wife, who will not allow her +rights to be trodden under foot?" + +"Am I not aware of that?" + +"Even if you are, my dear, there is no harm in my saying that if I +should discover the slightest cause which would arouse my suspicion I +would scratch out your eyes!" + +"Sweet _Ulgenie_!" + +_Ulgenie_, a word which the reader will observe, is compounded from the +words Ulrica and Eugenie, was one of those contorted terms of +endearment, which Mrs. H---- permitted her husband to use during their +moments of tenderness. Should he wish to address her in an extremely +affectionate manner, he would term her his "pet Ulte," an expression +which had also originated in the fertile mind of the loving wife! + +On this occasion the husband considered the first expression +sufficiently affectionate, and in all probability many tender +recollections were associated with those three syllables, for no sooner +had he uttered the name "Ulgenie," than she cast her eyes downward with +an unusual gentle expression, and in a changed tone of voice, she +whispered:-- + +"Never again my dearest husband shall we differ in our opinions. +Equality in marriage renders it a useful institution; but to change the +subject, it is long since you have made any hunting excursions, dear +Fabian, to-morrow you must go." + +As Mistress Ulrica was determined that her husband should become a +skillful sportsman, she gave him rest neither night nor day, unless he +devoted at least two days of the week to hunting or fishing excursions. +Not that Mr. H---- was a sportsman; but that it afforded his wife great +pleasure to inform her guests, that a certain moorcock was killed by her +dear Fabian, or that he had caught the pike which then graced their +table, for, she would add complacently, her Fabian was well aware that +she took great delight in eating the game taken by his skillful hand. + +Therefore there were no means of escape for him, he must by force become +a sportsman, for a wife who is laboring for the emancipation of +womankind, never will permit her desires to remain ungratified. During +the conversation the vehicle approached the mansion. Mr. Fabian H----, +during the entire ride, had thought upon the pipe and sofa which awaited +him upon his return, for he smoked like a Turk, and loved the ease of +oriental life. There was one pursuit, however, which afforded him still +greater pleasure, and that was to ogle other men's wives, for he was an +unfortunate son of Adam, never being able to discover beauties which his +wife might have possessed. + + * * * * * + +"Who can that be!" exclaimed Mistress Ulrica Eugenia as the gig entered +the court-yard, "who is that elegant young man descending the door +steps? is it possible that he is my nephew little Gottlieb?" + +"Yes he is, my dear Aunt Ulrica, I was little Gottlieb, but I have grown +up to be big Gottlieb," answered a cheerful voice, and the next moment +the young man whose acquaintance we have before made, embraced the lady +warmly, and then heartily shook his uncle's extended hand. Uncle Fabian +however, was not overjoyed at his wife's determination of introducing +into his house a stripling who might perhaps become a spy upon his +actions and make reports that would call forth the entire vigor of his +wife's tongue. + +After the first torrent of welcomings, questions and answers,--for Mr. +H---- did not dare do otherwise than to cordially welcome his guest--had +subsided, and the family had entered the dining room, and the hostess +had pressed the acceptance of a third cup of tea upon the young man, who +was already sufficiently heated without undergoing this ordeal; she thus +addressed him:-- + +"Now, my dear little Gottlieb, you look remarkably well, you little +rogue. Is it really true that you have made this long journey to see us +on foot?" + +"It is indeed true; this green coat is my usual costume when I do not +wear a blouse, which is my favorite garment. My better apparel is +contained within my knapsack, and thus I have given you an invoice of my +wardrobe, which you see, my dear aunt, is not very extensive." + +"But your under-clothes, my child?" + +"What, under-clothes, do you think I could give my dear uncle so much +trouble as to bring linen clothes with me?" + +"What a careless fellow you are!" + +"'You have now,' said my mother, when I took my leave, 'you have now +four rare pieces of linen, styled shirts; but when you return, you must +travel by steam, for you will undoubtedly possess twenty-four!'" + +"Ah!" replied his aunt, with a smile, "I understand you now." + +"How do you understand me?" inquired Gottlieb. + +"As belonging to that class of persons, sir, who never find themselves +at a loss," replied uncle Fabian, in a tone of voice which he intended +should be overwhelming. + +Gottlieb, however, was not inclined to be thus easily driven from the +field. "You have hit the nail upon the head," said he, with an assumed +expression of respect for the decision of his uncle, "and it is by the +means of that very trait of character which you have mentioned, that I +hope to work myself through the world, although I am only the son of a +poor secretary in a government office, who is embarrassed by debt and a +large family, thus you perceive I cannot depend solely upon the whims of +fortune." + +"What then are your prospects for the future?" inquired the lady +seriously. + +"I have but one," replied Gottlieb. + +"And what is that?" + +"My plan is very simple, I have thoroughly studied financial matters, +and in the fall intend to help my father in his office, so that he can +spare the services of his two assistants. He will then have only one +salary to pay; but I think that I can do the work of three, and as I +intend to become a model of order, capability and energy, I hope to be +able to win the favor of the head of the treasury department, so that +when my father, who at present is in a very feeble state of health, +shall be obliged to resign, I may be appointed in his stead. This is my +plan." + +"You are a shrewd young man," said Mistress Ulrica. + +"It is not necessary to be shrewd when the high road is plain before +you." + +"But at least you must possess sufficient knowledge of the world to +prevent you, in your youth, from leaving the high road, and wasting your +time in useless dreaming." + +"Of dreaming, he who has nothing but his head and hands to depend on, +must not be afraid. If one wishes to enjoy pleasant dreams, he must not +trouble his head about that which he is to eat when he awakes." + +"Good! good!" exclaimed Ulrica, "I hope that your wise plans will +succeed, and I do not doubt but what they will, they are so well laid, +and aside from that you are not striving for yourself alone, but for +your parents, to whom I am sure you will always prove a dutiful and +grateful child." + +"That is why I should become my father's successor, dear aunt. Had I not +thought of this plan, I would undoubtedly have formed some other; but +with this I am satisfied." + +"And do you intend to afford us the pleasure of your company this +summer?" inquired uncle Fabian, abruptly. + +"With your permission, dear uncle, your invitation arrived at a lucky +moment, as it came during my vacation." + +"Well, well, nephew," said Mrs. Ulrica, "we will go and prepare a +chamber for you." + +"Nephew, nephew," exclaimed Gottlieb, merrily, "why we look more like +cousins!" + +"You are a little wag!" + +"O, I must say more. My mother might have been your mother also, from +all appearances." + +"Ah, I was a mere girl when she was married. She was the eldest while I +was the youngest of the family, and the fourteen years discrepancy +between our ages accounts for the differences in our appearance." + +"And riches and fortune also," added Gottlieb; "poor mother, misfortune +has always been her lot; and although she has much trouble, she has +nevertheless an angel's forbearance." + +"Her disposition resembles mine more than her person does," said Mrs. +H----, casting a glance of tender inquiry upon her husband. + +"Yes, my dear," replied he, "your angelic disposition and patience are +well known." + +He well understood the smile with which his wife had accompanied her +words. + +"Good Fabian, you know how to appreciate your wife!" + +"Sweet Ulgenie!" + +Gottlieb glanced from his aunt to his uncle. + +"Strange people these," thought he. "I think they are playing bo-peep +with each other, or perhaps they are blinding me; well, I care not; so +long as they do not disturb me, I will not meddle with their affairs." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE ATTIC-ROOMS. + + +As we have before stated, Nanna had supreme control over one of the +attic-rooms of the cottage, and for a long time it had been a sanctuary +in which she stored her precious things. + +Old Mr. Lonner loved Nanna as the apple of his eye. She was not only the +youngest child, and consequently the favorite, but she also possessed +strong perceptive qualities, and a heart susceptible of the tenderest +emotions. She was, so to speak, a living emblem of those harmonious +dreams that her father in his youth had hoped to see realized. + +The pale and delicate countenance of Nanna, who he thought was destined +in all probability to droop and die like a water lily, which she so much +resembled, carried the old man's mind back to the time when his father +had promised to wed his mother, and he sighed as he thought how +different Nanna's station in life would have been had that promise been +fulfilled. Instead of neglect and insult, homage from all would have +been her portion. + +Yet Nanna was the pride and joy of her father's heart, for Ragnar, who +at an early age was obliged to labor for his own support, had preferred +to become a sailor, rather than to acquire a refined education, and Carl +could scarcely comprehend more than that which was necessary for the +performance of family worship. Nanna, on the contrary, would listen to +her father with the utmost pleasure and interest as he related and +explained matters and things which were entirely novel to one placed in +her position of life. + +And then, with what eagerness would Nanna read those few books with +which her father's little library was supplied! She fully comprehended +all she read, and she could not resist from becoming gently interested +in the characters described in her books. She sympathised with the +unhappy and oppressed, and although she rejoiced with those happy heroes +and heroines who had passed safely through the ordeals of their loves, +yet when she read of the fortunate conclusion of all their troubles, +she would sigh deeply. + +But after sighing for those who _had_ lived, she sighed also for the +_living_. + +She looked forward, with terror, to the day when she should lose her +father, whom she worshipped almost as a supreme being. + +Her innocent heart shrunk within her as she thought of the time when a +man,--for these thoughts had already entered her little head--should +look into her eyes in search of a wife. Who shall that man be? she +thought. Is it possible that he can be any other than a peasant or a +fisherman? Perhaps he may be even worse; a common day-laborer of the +parish. + +O, that would be impossible! + +Such a rude uncouth husband would prove her death. How could she +entertain the same thoughts, after her marriage with such a boor, as she +had before? He could never sympathise with her. No, she would be obliged +to remain unmarried for ever. Perhaps not even a laborer would wed her! +On St. John's eve, when she had ventured to attend the ball, did any +body request her to dance? No, not one, no, they only gazed at +Mademoiselle Nanna, with a stupid and imbecile stare--_she_ did not +belong to their class. + + * * * * * + +The next evening after Nanna had encountered the young stranger near the +spring, she was seated alone in her bed-chamber. During the entire day +she had endeavored to assist her sister-in law, in the various domestic +duties, with her usual activity; which however it must be confessed, was +mingled with much pensive abstraction. But after the tea service was +removed, she had retired to her chamber, that she might in solitude +commune with her own thoughts. + +The silence of her apartment was soothing to Nanna's mind. + +Besides a small sofa, which was her sleeping place, her little dominions +contained a book shelf; three or four flower vases; a bureau, and a +small work table. The two latter articles of furniture were specimens of +Carl's workmanship. + +Carl, when he _chose_ to display his ability, was a skillful carpenter, +and formerly Nanna was his special favorite. Of late, however, it could +readily be perceived that Magde possessed his affections. She, had she +so chosen, could have abused him as if he had been a dog, and like a cur +he would have crept back to kiss the hand which had maltreated him. +Magde, however, was soft-hearted, and did not abuse her power over the +singular boy; but she compelled him to labor with much more assiduity +than he had formerly. When at home, Carl generally performed the duties +of a nursery maid. The children remained with him willingly, for he +tenderly loved them; in fact every child in the neighborhood loved the +"Wiseacre," for he would play with them, and upon all occasions take +them under his special protection. When he saw his little nephews and +nieces, subjected to the discipline of their mother, he would fly into a +frenzy of passion, and then he was called, "Crazy Carl." He was an +inveterate enemy to corporeal punishment, and he could invent no better +method of explaining his doctrine, than by administering to those, who +differed with him, a practical illustration of the cruelty of personal +castigation. Therefore he would fly around among the parents and the +straggling children, preventing their punishment of his favorites by +means of his own stalwart arm, and then after the tumult had subsided he +would repent and tearfully sue for pardon. + +Crazy Carl was laughed at for his exertions in behalf of the children, +yet to spare his feelings the necessary punishment of the children was +deferred till he was out of sight. None of the neighboring peasant +women would leave their homes, to go to the market, to a wedding, or to +a funeral, without requesting Carl to remain with the children, and upon +his compliance they would go forth untroubled, for they were well aware +of the unbounded influence "Wiseacre" possessed over the young people. + +Carl's bed-room, which adjoined Nanna's apartment, contained a bedstead, +a well whittled table, and a chair mutilated in a like manner. In this +chair Carl would rock backward and forward, for hours, and with half +closed eyes would look as if by stealth, at a striped woolen waistcoat, +which was suspended against the wall, or some other little gift from +Magde. + +At the same time that Nanna was seated in her room looking towards the +large tree near the spring, Carl was rocking in his chair, gazing with +his peculiar expression at a brown earthen vase, which was standing upon +the table before him. The vase contained two freshly plucked lilacs, one +blue and the other white, which emitted a fragrant odor. After Carl had +sufficiently regarded these objects, he slowly jerked his chair towards +the table, and at each pause his mouth widened into a simple simper. At +length he arrived so near the table that by bending forward he could +have easily touched the flowers with his nostrils. To accomplish this +movement, which was his evident intention, he proceeded with as much +gravity and carefulness as he had evinced in approaching the table. He +bowed down his head inch by inch, until he could no longer withstand the +desire of his senses. With one plunge he thrust his nostrils amidst the +fresh leaves of the fragrant flowers. + +Suddenly, however, he raised his head, a thought struck his mind--his +face lengthened and his brow became cloudy. + +And yet a few moments ago he appeared supremely happy. + + * * * * * + +Nanna's pretty face was pressed against the window pane. Her little +world had never before appeared so fresh and beautiful. So great was her +abstraction that she did not hear the door open, as Carl with his +peculiar lofty strides entered the room. + +"Thank you, Nanna," said Carl. Nanna did not hear him. His voice was +lost in her recollection of the words of the strange youth, she had met +the day before. + +"Thank you, Nanna," repeated Carl. + +Nanna started. "What for?" said she. + +"Do you not know?" replied Carl, "why for the flowers!" + +"Flowers?" + +"O," said Carl smiling imbecilely and gazing vacantly around the room. + +"If you found lilacs in your room, I did not place them there," said +Nanna. + +"Ah! then perhaps little Christine sent them to me." + +"No, dear Carl," replied Nanna, "the flowers were sent by one who is +better than even myself or Christine." + +"Who can it be?" + +"Magde, of course." + +"Ah!" Carl slowly stepped towards the door. "Magde, yes, I ought to have +known that!" + +"Ask her, and then you will know certainly," said Nanna. + +"O, no, but they are beautiful flowers. I hope I will not break them, +they smell so sweetly!" + +Thus saying Carl strode across the floor to his own chamber where he +again seated himself upon his chair and resumed his former occupation; +but he did not profane them with his nostrils, for now he regarded them +in a holier light. They were Magde's gift. + +While he was thus happily engaged, a messenger arrived at the cottage to +disturb him. A peasant's wife, who wished to attend a funeral desired +his services, and the obliging Carl, although he protested that he had a +great deal to engage his attention at home, willingly promised to go to +the woman's cottage and take care of her children until her return. In +order that his arrival at the cottage might be joyfully welcomed, he +returned to his room, and commenced the manufacture of sundry whistles +and as he whittled and sung verses of his own composition--for Carl was +a poet--he occasionally cast loving glances towards the brown earthen +vase. + +But how was Nanna employed? Was she reading some of her favorite books, +an amusement to which she often devoted her leisure hours? or perhaps +she was proceeding over the path which conducted to the spring in the +meadow. Neither. She at present appeared perfectly satisfied with her +unaccustomed listlessness, from which however she was soon aroused. + +From between the trees that bordered the side of the hill, she saw a +green coat emerge, which when it reached the plain made its way towards +the little fountain beneath the tree. + +The wearer of the coat, who was the young man who had carried the +knapsack and had called Nanna his little naiad, a term which he supposed +she did not understand, cast himself upon the grass near the trunk of +the tree. Perhaps he was expecting some one. + +For a few moments Nanna stood undecidedly upon the threshold of the +door. Her inclinations drew her towards the spring; but her modesty +cautioned her to remain. + +Why had she so long postponed her usual walk on this particular +occasion? She had not expected any one. Certainly not! + +At length, however, she seized her bonnet and hastened from the room. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +THE FIRST DISAPPOINTMENT. + + +Nanna had arrived at the bottom step of the flight of stairs, when she +encountered Magde who was returning from a visit at a neighbor's house. +She had walked fast, and her face was crimson with heat and vexation. +When Magde first saw the young girl, she drew her bonnet close around +her face, intending to enter the house as quickly as Nanna wished to +depart; but when Nanna had reached the threshold she exclaimed: + +"Where are you going?" + +"To take a little walk," replied Nanna. + +"Be careful, Nanna," said Magde seriously, "you will soon be a young +woman." + +"And why should that affect you so?" replied Nanna, astonished at +Magde's caution. + +"O, only that poor women who wish to preserve their fair fame, are not +allowed to go out when they choose." + +"What did you say?" + +"I say that the sun, earth, water, trees, and flowers, are made only for +the rich, who can admire them from their fine carriages and pleasure +yachts." + +"But, dear Magde, you have always--" + +"Silence, child," interrupted Magde, "you do not know the insults to +which we females of humble birth are exposed." + +"We are not born that we should thus be insulted," said Nanna. + +"True, true; but then we should have been born as deformed and ugly as +those sins, which even our modesty will not preserve us from being +suspected of." + +"Can that be possible!" thought Nanna. Magde, who as she spoke had +passed her hand upon her forehead, now removed it, and from the +expression of her dark eyes, which beamed with her accustomed +cheerfulness, and from her proud and lofty bearing, it could be +perceived that she had regained her usual self-possession. + +"I grieve you, dear Nanna," said she in a softened tone of voice, "I do +not imagine you to be more than a dove which is still fostered within +the dovecote. But I was troubled, as I am sometimes, without really +knowing the cause." + +"Is there no cause, then?" inquired Nanna. + +"I can say that there is or is not a cause, and therefore shall remain +silent." + +"Then remain silent, dear Magde, let us speak no further on the +subject," said Nanna quickly, for she was burning with impatience to +visit the spring. + +She longed to discover by experience whether it was really so dangerous +for a woman to walk out alone. + +Until the day before, it had not been dangerous, for no one had +forbidden her the free enjoyment of God's beautiful earth, and neither +had her modesty ever been insulted. On any other occasion, Nanna would +have been influenced not only by curiosity, but by a far purer feeling, +namely, sympathy for Magde's sorrows,--for she dearly loved her +sister-in-law,--and would have asked an explanation of matters which she +at present was anxious to avoid. + +Magde was silent. + +Nanna stepped over the door sill. + +But stern fate compelled her to turn back a second time, for the moment +that Magde turned to pass into the house, old Mr. Lonner advanced to the +door. + +"Nanna my child," said he, "bring my chair out into the door-yard. The +evening air is so cool and pleasant that it will invigorate my old body; +but it would be better I think, if my rheumatism will permit it, to +take a little stroll in the fields, with the aid of my walking cane on +one side, and with you as a staff to support me on the other." + +Nanna blushed so deeply that she felt the blood burning her cheeks, as +she advanced the opinion that the exercise might prove injurious to him. + +"Poor child, you are grieved on account of your old father. I will take +your advice. Bring my arm-chair out, and we will sit here and have a +little chat together." + +Hitherto, when her father had chatted to her of all that he had seen and +experienced, Nanna had considered herself amply rewarded for her days of +labor, but on this occasion, she not only went after the chair +reluctantly, but also, when she as usual seated herself with her +knitting work on her little bench at his side she sighed deeply. Her +father did not observe her dejection, perhaps he considered it an +impossibility for his precious jewel to sigh when she was with him. + +"Well, Nanna," said he stroking his long beard which gave a venerable +appearance to his benevolent features, "are you thinking of the fine +shawl that Ragnar is to send you by his friend Jon Jonson?" + +"Not at all, dear father," replied Nanna. + +"True," continued the old man, "your disposition in that respect does +not resemble Magde's. She is pleased, as every young woman should be, +when she has an opportunity of decorating her person with elegant +clothing." + +"I think, that hereafter," said Nanna, slightly confused, "I shall also +cultivate a taste for such things; but thus far I have had but little +opportunity." + +"I hope so," replied her father, "I have frequently been much troubled +in mind, when I have observed your indifference to dress, so unnatural +to one of your age; but which is only a result of the romantic notions +that you have always indulged in." + +"But dear father, is it not wrong to strive to make ourselves beautiful +when we are only poor people?" + +"Beautiful!" exclaimed the old man, "what put that into your little +head?" + +"Magde told me that all poor women ought to be born ugly, that their +reputation might not be suspected." + +"Magde was a little out of humor, when she said that, and she who wishes +to please her husband so much, could not have really intended what she +said." + +"Yes, but when a woman is married, it alters the case entirely." + +"But why should not an unmarried girl wish herself handsome for the sake +of her father, her brother, and above all for her own sake? That is a +good wish so long as it continues innocent." + +"When then, is it not innocent?" inquired Nanna. + +"It is no longer innocent when the love of fine apparel, and the desire +to be beautiful, changes the heart, and the girl neglects her duties, +and gives her sole attention to that which should only serve as a +simple recreation; but that I am sure will never be the case with you." + +Nanna was silent. She drooped her head. "There is no danger of that," +thought she, "for who will care to witness the change?" + +"On next St. John's day," continued her father, "you must wear that +elegant silk shawl which belonged to your poor mother." + +As Nanna heard these words, a smile of peculiar meaning passed over her +lips. It was the smile of a woman who anticipates a future triumph. + +"Thank God," said the old man, turning the conversation in another +channel, "for all the blessings he has bestowed upon us. Although we may +now be in trouble, when Ragnar's packages arrive, we shall be in better +circumstances. Poverty has many blessings of which the rich man cannot +even dream. The poor man's gratitude and joy for even the slightest +piece of fortune is too great to describe. The rich man has not that +relish for the good things of life that the poor man has." + +While honest Lonner was thus losing himself in his meditations, Nanna +moved in her seat uneasily, and dropped stitch after stitch of her +knitting-work. The former topic of conversation was endurable, but +this-- + +Meanwhile, however, she did not dare to express her desire to be +liberated from her irksome position. Why was she afraid to do so? She +asked herself the question; the only reply she could make was, that +yesterday it would have been easy for her to say, "Father, I want to +take a little walk in the meadow;" but to-day, oh! that was different! + +"I see you have your bonnet on!" said her father, "were you about taking +a walk?" + +"I have not been out of the house before, to-day," replied Nanna. + +"Well, then run away, my child; take all the enjoyment you can. You have +but little here." + +Perhaps it was by expressions of this description from her father, that +mournful thoughts were engendered within the mind of the young girl, +causing her to fancy that something was wanting to complete her +happiness, and that she stood beyond the pale of those who should have +been her companions. + +It is certainly plausible to suppose that these moments which the old +man had set apart for familiar conversation with his daughter, whom he +loved above all earthly things, for she reminded him of past days, might +have proved highly detrimental to Nanna's sensitive and susceptible +mind. + +As matters now stood, it was plainly evident that, however economical, +industrious and thrifty she might be, Nanna would be compelled to be +content with her lot, should she wed an honest mechanic or a sloop +captain, which were the highest prizes which she, or any of the +neighboring maidens, might expect to win. + +Like a captive bird which, after many fruitless struggles, finally +regains its liberty, Nanna quickly made use of her restored freedom, and +hastened from the door-yard. She was fully convinced that the young man +was no longer in the meadow, and now she suddenly remembered that she +had said nothing to her father or Magde about the stranger whom she had +encountered the previous evening. How strange it was that she had +forgotten to tell them! Yes, it was the strangest thing that ever had +occurred during her whole life, and how greatly astonished they would be +when she should tell them of her little adventure! Thus thought Nanna, +as she proceeded towards the meadow. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE AGREEMENT. + + +"It was just as I thought!" exclaimed our heroine, as she looked, with +pouting lips at the reflection of her pretty figure in the clear waters +of the spring. Never before had her hair been so nicely arranged, and +her neat white apron, which she had kept concealed beneath her cloak +during her entire conversation with Magde and her father, and which she +had carefully tied about her waist as soon as she had entered the +meadows, how pretty it looked! But how was she repaid for all her +trouble? She was about disencumbering herself both of her apron and a +little scarf which she had thrown over her shoulders, when she heard a +voice that she had already learned to distinguish, calling to her in the +distance. + +With pleased astonishment she lifted her eyes, and saw an individual +whom we need scarcely inform our readers was the owner of the knapsack. +He was descending a hill, holding to his lips a blade of grass, upon +which he would occasionally blow a vigorous and ear-piercing blast. + +"Have you come at last, my naiad queen?" said the youth. "We were such +pleasant companions last evening, that I came hither in the hope of +finding you at your bath again." + +"A naiad queen might bathe her feet before you; but I--" She ceased +speaking, and a deep blush suffused her cheeks. + +"Ah! then you know something about the naiads, my child?" + +"Yes, and about the sylphs, too," replied Nanna, nodding her head, proud +at having an opportunity of displaying her knowledge before one whom, +besides her father, was the only person that she had ever cared to +interest. + +"You surprise me! What have you read?" + +"O, a little of everything. My father has a large book case, and I have +a small collection of books, myself." + +"Hm, hm," said the embryo secretary, "but enumerate to me some of the +books you have read." + +"Do you really wish to know?" + +"Yes, dear Nanna,--pardon me--Mademoiselle Nanna I should have said. +Now Mademoiselle, please be seated, the grass is quite soft. I wish to +catechise you a little." + +"But I shall not answer you, sir, if you call me Mademoiselle; it sounds +so cold and disagreeable." + +"Well, I will be careful not to do so; but let us make a commencement." + +"With my qualifications?" + +"Certainly; but why do you sit at such a distance?" + +"We are not so far from each other." + +"That proves you to be no mathematician. Now, tell me, how many yards +distance are there between us?" + +"Three, I think." + +"Poor child, you have not reached your A B C's in arithmetic; but I will +be your instructor." + +"How so?" + +"You shall soon see." He quickly unloosed his neckcloth. "This," he +continued, "is precisely one yard in length. Now, I will measure the +ground, and when I have measured three yards, then--" + +"What then?" + +"Then I will seat myself; for you have yourself chosen the distance." + +The unsuspecting Nanna had not the slightest idea of the little plot the +young man had arranged to entrap her. The poor child was unaccustomed to +mirth; for although Magde, Ragnar, and Carl, often indulged in +boisterous sports, still Nanna never could feel an inclination to +mingle with them, but had merely smiled at their ridiculous jokes. Never +had the clear ringing laugh of gleeful childhood issued over her lips; +but upon the present occasion her innocent heart entered into the spirit +of her gay companion, and when he deliberately measured three lengths of +his neckcloth from the spot where he was sitting, and then gravely +seated himself at her very side, a merry laugh broke from her lips, in +which the youth joined. + +"Well," said he, assuming a comfortable position, "I can touch you, at +least, now." + +"Yes," replied Nanna seriously, for she was musing on Magde's words of +caution, "yes, you can; but I do not wish you to." + +"You do not?" + +"I do not," replied she firmly. + +"What an obstinate little creature you are!" + +"You desired to know what I have read," said Nanna, wishing to change +the subject of conversation. + +"True, but why do you hide your little hand under your apron, I shall +not touch it without your permission?" + +Nanna smiled as she slowly withdrew her hands from their place of +concealment and folded them upon her lap. + +"Now, my child," said the young man with an assumed air of dignity, +"first of all, you may commence at the beginning." + +"When I was a little girl, my father bought for me some picture books, +which as I read, he explained to me. Next as I progressed further--" + +"Well, what happened?" + +"Next I studied the catechism, which I liked very much, then I commenced +reading the bible, a book which I love above all others, the new +testament especially. All that I do not understand my father explains to +me, and after he has finished, I go alone to my room, and as I read I +cannot refrain from weeping--But my tears are not sorrowful, I think +only of--" + +"Of what?" + +"I know not whether I should tell you that." + +"Certainly you should; am I not your friend?" + +"Well then--but do not speak about it to any one--I cannot help thinking +that if I had lived when our Saviour was upon earth, I should have been +one of the holy women." + +"Who ever heard of such ambition! Why perhaps you would like to have +been the virgin Mary, herself?" + +"Oh," exclaimed Nanna, turning her face, that she might conceal the +blush, which his words of ridicule, as she esteemed them, had called +forth. + +"But, my child," continued her companion, "we will dwell no longer upon +your holy thoughts, so different from others of your age; proceed if you +please." + +"Aside from the books I have mentioned, at my father's request, I +studied history, geography, natural philosophy, and finally ancient +mythology." + +"You surprise me! Your education has not been neglected; but you can +write, can you not?" + +"Certainly, and I have also practised drawing a little." + +"Indeed! upon my honor, Mademoiselle Nanna you frighten me!" + +"Why?" + +"Because I cannot comprehend how you can use all your knowledge in this +valley." + +"I have often thought of that," replied Nanna, sighing deeply. + +"Perhaps, it is not such a terrible matter after all," said Gottlieb, "I +must thoroughly convince myself." + +Gottlieb now commenced to examine and cross-question Nanna in the +various departments of learning that she had mentioned, and was pleased +to discover by her accurate replies that she comprehended thoroughly all +that she had studied. In fact, Nanna was quite his equal in her +knowledge of Ancient Mythology, which had always been her favorite +study. + +"But how is it possible that your father should be so well educated? +Yesterday, when we were walking together, you told me that he had +resided in this valley nearly half his lifetime, with scarcely +sufficient means to support himself and family." + +"Alas! a sorrowful story is connected with my father's younger days; +but he never speaks of it. He had high hopes, when young, and had they +been realized, he would have been a man of consequence; but the death of +his patron crushed everything." + +"I must call upon your father some pleasant evening. Do you think he +would be pleased to see me?" + +"Of course, and Magde would also." + +"Your sister-in-law? Well, well, I will soon visit them both; but listen +now--" + +"I will." + +"As the error has already been committed--" + +"What error?" + +"That you should have been taught more than you ought to know; but +still, it is now too late to repent as you have already learned a +little, and I do not think there will be any harm in teaching you more." + +"Who will teach me?" + +"I shall of course.--I have an idea." + +Nanna glanced inquiringly towards her companion. "You might be able," he +continued, "to earn a little competency for yourself; would you be +willing to become a school-teacher?" + +"O, yes, nothing could be better! Then I would not be obliged to think +of--of--" + +"Of marriage?" + +"Yes, of marriage." + +"And I am of your opinion, for to speak candidly, whom could you +marry?" + +"I do not know; there is the parish tailor, who has already spoken to +Magde about it--" + +"The parish tailor!--Aha!" + +"And Captain Larsson who owns a sloop, offered Ragnar two barrels of rye +flour if he would speak a good word to me about him." + +"Two barrels of rye flour as a bribe! And your brother's reply?" + +"O, Ragnar is not to be played with," replied Nanna; "'if you wish to +purchase my sister,' said he, 'you had better speak to her yourself, she +has not authorized me to sell her.'" + +"So you have two lovers!" + +"Yes, and the sexton, an old widower, is the third. He has considerable +wealth, and therefore applied to my father, himself." + +"Without success?" + +"Yes, father told him I was too young." + +"Do you not prefer either of your suitors?" + +"I would rather throw myself into lake Wenner, than to marry either of +them." + +"Then let us speak of the school. It will give you a little income, and +is, as far as I can see, the only method of using your accomplishments +to advantage." + +"You are right. It is my only choice." + +"I fear so too, for a lover suitable for you would not in all +probability find his way hither; but in me you have found a friend at +least." + +"Thank God, for that." + +"But it is necessary that we should make one agreement--" + +"What is it?" + +"That we shall not fall in love with each other." + +"Oh, there is no danger!" + +"Ah! who can be sure of that? You possess beauties beyond your personal +charms, Miss Nanna, that may conquer me in spite of myself." + +"You are also beautiful; but I do not believe that--that--" + +"You do not believe that you would ever fall in love with me, you were +about saying. Upon my word that is so much the better, for to speak +truly I am placed in as bad circumstances as you are yourself." + +"You are!" + +"Yes, yes, I speak the truth. My only ambition is to become an assistant +in my father's office." + +"If that is the case," said Nanna, "you must fall in love with a rich +girl only." + +"I shall be careful of my own interests I assure you," replied Gottlieb, +"but now this perplexing point is rightly settled--is it not?" + +"Yes, you are to marry a wealthy girl, and I am to keep a school, is +that the agreement?" + +"Yes, and now we must make another arrangement, which is that we must agree +to meet each other during the evening hours at this spot. I own many +books that will be useful to you, and if you can sing--" + +"I can sing a little, and the old sexton says my voice is beautiful." + +"Allow me to hear you sing." + +"To-morrow, I cannot this evening." + +"O, you should not refuse a friend in that manner. It would be quite +different if I was your lover." + +Without further words, Nanna commenced singing an old ballad, and her +sweet voice, as she trilled forth the beautiful words of her song, fell +upon the ear of her young companion like the soft music of a bird. + +"You sing excellently, Nanna, and I think your voice would be improved +if you could play upon the guitar. I have one at home, and might bring +it with me." + +"But the guitar would not benefit my future pupils." + +"It will serve for your amusement after your scholars have left you in +the afternoon. You will find such a relaxation quite necessary, and when +you play upon it, and sing one of your beautiful ballads, you will think +of your friend." + +"And drive away the tedium of the long hours.--O, sir, you are too +kind!" + +"Stop, Nanna! Call me Gottlieb, not sir. You know friends should--" + +"Thanks, Sir Gottlieb! What a beautiful name! But it is quite late!" + +Nanna, who was fearful that Magde, anxious at her long absence, would +come in search of her, arose from her seat upon the grass, and hastily +departed. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE CHASE. + + +The next morning, a few hours before Carl, whistling a ballad of which +he was the author, commenced his journey over ditches and stiles, to +fulfill his engagement to watch with the children of the peasant woman, +Mr. Fabian H---- was awakened by his affectionate wife, who informed him +that it was time for him to prepare himself for his hunting expedition. + +Sleepy, and unwilling to leave his cozy bed, for the sake of enjoying +the damp morning air, Mr. Fabian addressed his spouse with all the +tenderness which his state of mind would permit: + +"Dear Ulgenie, you--" + +Mistress Ulrica, however, did not permit herself to be moved by this +gentle epithet. + +"Fabian," said she, shaking his shoulder roughly, "you are going to +sleep again. Quick! get up! I have had your top boots nicely greased, +and on the chair you will find your hunting coat and game-bag. +Everything is made as comfortable as possible." + +"Sweet Ulgenie," expostulated Mr. Fabian. + +The amiable lady smiled as she heard him speak, and had not an +unfortunate yawn accompanied those two tender words, in all probability +they would have terminated this chapter. But the word yawn is not found +in Love's dictionary, and consequently the unlucky husband was forced to +rise from his bed preparatory to going forth to perform deeds of valor +in obedience to the commands of his mistress. + +"Do not neglect to awaken Gottlieb. He also must learn the noble art of +hunting." + +"I will, my dear, I will," said her husband, perspiring with his +exertions, as he forced himself into his hunting garments which Mistress +Ulrica had made from a pattern of her own invention. But when Mr. Fabian +had completed his toilette, he hastened from the house, intentionally +forgetting to awaken Gottlieb, for, as we shall soon discover, he had +urgent reasons for wishing to perform his hunting exploits without the +hindrance of a companion. As Sir Fabian was, so to speak, his wife's +butler, he had provided himself with a deputy butler, who generally +received a hint of the day and the hour, when stern fate would compel +his master to encase his feet in heavy hunting boots. + +We now see this martyr to the holy cause of matrimony, puffing and +blowing beneath the weight of his heavy gun, as he wends his way across +the fields towards a certain spot in the forest at which he finally +arrives. He looks around him with searching eyes; his brow is clouded +with anxiety and impatience. Suddenly his eyes gleam with an expression +of joy; but he instantly recovers himself and assumes an air of +dignified composure, while he gazes angrily upon the form of a man, who +is approaching him through the trees. + +"Fool! you have kept me waiting!" said he harshly as the man advanced. + +Humbly but with a humility which was more assumed than natural, the +"Butler," presented Mr. Fabian with two hares, and two partridges; which +would fill his game-bag uncommonly well and ensure a loving welcome upon +his return home. After this ceremony was performed Mr. H---- threw his +accomplice a few pieces of silver, and when the last named performer in +this little scene had vanished, our huntsman fatigued by his arduous +exertions cast himself upon a moss-covered bank and was soon continuing +the dream which had been so unpleasantly interrupted by his sweet +Ulgenie. + + * * * * * + + "In the woods, near the sea I have lived + Many a day! + Ho, ho, ho, + Ha, ha, ha, + It is so lovely on the earth!" + +Thus sang or hummed Carl as he proceeded on his way. + +Suddenly he experienced a strong desire to rush into the woods to listen +to the sighing of the wind as it swept through the high branches of the +trees. In this music Carl took such delight that he would listen to it, +for hours, while great tears of pleasure and excitement would roll down +his sun-burnt cheeks. But it was the pleasure and excitement of a +religious enthusiast in the house of the God he worshipped. Carl never +spoke of these sentiments, and how would it have been possible for him +to do so. He never thought from whence they originated. He followed his +inclination only. + +While Carl was thus engaged he suddenly saw an object which caused him +instantly to neglect the sound of his favorite music. In the grass near +the fence over which Carl was about climbing, he saw the slumbering +huntsman, with the freshly killed game reposing at his side. + +Carl, without knowing why, had conceived the idea that Magde disliked +Mr. Fabian H----, and as for himself, he instinctively hated that +worthy gentleman. And another thought entered his head as he looked upon +the game. He remembered that Magde had once said: "Ah! had we but a hare +or a partridge, how delicious it would be! But such things are too good +for us, they must be sent to the manor house." + +Carl laughed silently. He extended his hand towards the sleeping man, +and then withdrew it undecidedly. Our friend Carl possessed a few +indistinct ideas concerning the law of _meum and teum_. By dint of great +exertion, his father had implanted in his mind the great necessity of +observing the eighth commandment, and upon the present occasion the +lesson of his younger days interfered in a great degree with the +accomplishment of his present designs; for as he gazed upon the objects +of his envy, he muttered to himself: + +"_The Eighth Commandment:_ Thou shalt not steal!" + +His brain was not only troubled with the eighth, but the words of the +tenth commandment came to his memory, "Thou shalt not covet thy +neighbor's wife, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his +ass." + +As he thus spoke, and thought first of the commandments and then of +Magde, he continued to advance and retreat, wavering in his decision, +and he might have remained in this state until Mr. Fabian awoke, had not +a bright idea forced itself upon his mind. + +"O," exclaimed he, "the commandments say nothing about _game_!" and as +even the veriest simpleton has it in his power to convince himself of +the purity of an action, however wrong, Carl soon satisfied himself with +the excuse which he had so ingeniously invented. He entirely forgot the +closing line of the commandment, "nor anything that is his," which, +however, would not bear consideration on that occasion. He therefore +seized the two hares that were nearest him, and by the assistance of a +long stick he gained possession of the partridges also. + +In the meantime, Mr. Fabian's assistant, who had not yet left the +forest, having been attracted by Carl's movements, had been an +eye-witness to his proceedings. But instead of warning the lad of his +crime, the spectator seemed rather to rejoice at his patron's +misfortune. He might safely do this, for after the crime had been +committed, he could easily disclose the name of the thief, and thus +avert suspicion from himself. He thought that Mr. H---- would not injure +a person of Carl's character, and that at all events he would be likely +to receive a proper reward for any zeal he should exert to promote the +interest of his employer. Carl had discovered that his actions had been +observed; but as the spectator, by sundry winks and nods, seemed rather +to encourage than to prevent him, Carl proceeded without fear. + +And now, having won the victory, he hastened to Magde. + +But here trouble awaited him. + +When Carl presented Magde the game, she was delighted; but after her +outburst of admiration had subsided, her first question naturally was as +to where he had procured his prize. + +"Is it not enough that it is here?" said Carl, as he stood on the +threshold, twirling his hat in his hand. + +"Heavens! I trust you have not procured it in an unlawful way?" + +"No, I got it while going the right way," replied Carl, mischievously. + +"My dear Carl," said Magde, seriously, "you must not think to deceive me +by your cunning words." + +"You should not say so," answered Carl, sulkily. + +"No, I should not, Carl, I spoke foolishly; but if you are a good boy, +and love me, you will tell me who has given you this game, or whether +you have promised to pay for it by working by-and-bye." + +"I have already worked for it," said Carl, with a laugh, "but I must go +now, or else I will be too late at Sunnangaarden." + +Thus saying, Carl was about putting his long legs in active motion, when +Magde exclaimed: + +"Carl! Carl! a word more! stop, Carl!" + +"I have staid too long already," said Carl; but still he remained. + +"Tell me frankly, Carl, did you procure the game honestly?" + +Carl, who rested upon the tenth commandment, in which neither hares nor +partridges were mentioned, answered shrewdly: + +"If you doubt my honor, I will refer you to the catechism. Do you +believe in the catechism?" + +"Is it true then that you have done nothing contrary to its precepts?" + +"It is indeed true," replied Carl, gravely. + +"Then I am satisfied," said Magde, "and I am grateful to you, my good +Carl, for the welcome present." + +"Good? Yes, can I really believe you, Magde?" + +"Yes, I so consider you, and therefore I am good to you." + +Carl commenced laughing, and assumed a crane-like position, as he +balanced himself upon one leg. This was his usual custom when pleased. + +"Well, well, then you love poor Carl a little. That's good!" + +"Carl is my good boy," replied Magde, who during the conversation had +been engaged in spreading out a number of skeins of knitting yarn that +had been placed out to bleach upon the grass plot. + +"Listen," said Carl, approaching nigher to Magde, "would Magde shed a +tear upon my grave if God should call me from earth?" + +There reposed in these words a tone of mingled fear and humility, and +Magde, much moved by the peculiar expression of Carl's countenance, +replied: + +"Certainly, Carl, I would shed many, many tears, for I believe there are +none who love you as I do." + +"I am grateful, Magde," said Carl, violently scraping the ground with +the sole of his hob-nailed shoe, an action which could scarcely be +called a bow--"your words shall be remembered. I am Magde's servant, and +shall be so as long as I live." + +With these words, he turned on his heel, and trotted towards his place +of destination. + +"The poor lad has a good heart," thought Magde, as she concluded her +labors in the yard; but she little imagined the true state of Carl's +heart. + +Magde now entered the house to prepare breakfast. Her three children +crowded around her, loudly testifying their admiration of the partridges +and hares. She commenced dressing the game with that placidity of +countenance, and with that dexterity which proved she was well versed in +that most important branch of a housekeeper's duties--cookery. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +CONCERNING THE HUNTER IN THE WOODS, AND HIS HOMEWARD WALK. + + +We now return to our friend the sportsman, who soon awoke from his sound +slumber, quite refreshed. He yawned, stretched himself, and mechanically +extended his hand towards the spot where he had placed his game-bag. + +Although his hand touched nothing but the grass and his gun, he +nevertheless was not troubled, for he thought that he had miscalculated +the distance. He searched still further; but to his surprise the +game-bag was still missing. He now raised himself up in a sitting +posture, and rubbing his eyes vigorously, he searched the ground +closely. But his eyes, usually so good, must have been dimmed by some +enchantment, for he could perceive neither the hares nor the partridges, +which he could not but think were there. + +Determined, however, not to believe in such marvels, for honest Fabian +was a man of intelligence, he arose and peered through the bushes in the +grass; he looked in the air, and he closely scanned the tops of the +trees; but his efforts were fruitless. The game was not to be found. + +"It is astonishing!" said he to himself. "I can not believe it! They +must be here! But where the devil are they then!" + +The trees retained a stubborn silence, and their example was followed by +the earth, the air, and the water. Although the heat of the day was +rendered still more insufferable by Mr. Fabian's thick hunting suit, yet +his flesh chilled with fear when he discovered the actual loss of his +partridges and hares. + +To return home without his game, was a misfortune, which under ordinary +circumstances he could have endured; but on this occasion he had reason +to expect a more than usually severe lecture from his wife whose command +he had stubbornly disobeyed by not awakening Gottlieb. While the +unfortunate sportsman was bewailing his fate he discovered the face of +his "butler," who was peering out from between the bushes with an +expression of mingled humility and mirthfulness. + +"Where are my partridges, you rascal?" shouted Mr. Fabian, his face +glowing with anger. + +"Do you think, Mr. H----, that I have taken them?" + +"Such a jest would be but natural. What are you doing here? Have I not +paid you enough?" + +"I never do anything without orders, and if you do not wish me to +remain, I will go instantly. I thought, however, that you would be +pleased if I should tell you what had become of your game." + +"That is just what I wish to know! Has any one presumed to steal it?" + +"Very likely." + +"Who? Quick! Tell me!" + +But the butler answered only with a long drawn. "Ah!" + +"Can you substantiate what you are about to say?" + +"I can swear to it, if it is necessary. I waited here only that I might +be able to explain everything to my employer, after he should awake." + +"You are a fine fellow, now tell me what evil being has entered the +woods, and committed this depredation?" + +"If you wish to have a full account of the matter, you should tender +full payment," said the butler, who considered this play of words +exceedingly apt and forcible. + +"Yes, yes, I will not be ungenerous," replied Mr. Fabian taking a +bank-note from his pocket. + +"Carl,--the fool of the valley--purloined the hares and partridges." + +"What! that cur!--the son of old Lonner!" + +"The same." + +"Are you certain?" + +"Yes, as certain as I am that I live." + +"Good," said Mr. Fabian, and he repeated the same word several times, +each time appearing better satisfied, and certainly the thoughts that +occupied his mind must have afforded him great pleasure, for he not only +forgot the trouble that awaited his return home, but also the question, +which in truth should have been the first one--why the Butler had not +stopped the thief and rescued the booty. The Butler, however, thought it +expedient not to await further questions, and therefore soon found an +opportunity of retreating. + +Our readers may be assured that when the sportsman returned home his +wife was not in the best of humor. She awaited his coming in the parlor; +but when she heard his footsteps in the court-yard, she could no longer +restrain her impatience, but hastened to the window and exclaimed: + +"Where were your silly thoughts wandering, when you left the house +without calling Gottlieb. I must say that you conduct yourself friendly +towards _my_ relations, and I do think it is equally astonishing that +you have come home without him. I sent him to look for you a long time +ago. What! can I believe my eyes! Where is the game that I was to have +for dinner?" + +"Dear Ulrique Eugenie, can you not wait until I have changed my clothes? +I have travelled so far through the woods, that I can scarcely breathe, +I am so weary." + +"Where is the game?" + +"Whew!" ejaculated her husband, "I can stand these clothes no longer." +Thus saying, he hastened into the house, and proceeded to his apartment. + +But this respite was of short duration. Mistress Ulrica Eugenie was +familiar with the road to the chamber, and her rage reached its highest +point, when she heard that the game which was intended for her dinner, +had been stolen while her husband, overcome by his arduous exertions, +had fallen asleep. + +"O, if I only knew who did this, yes, if I only knew, I would have the +rascal put in the stocks. But you, you dormouse, yes you, you call +yourself a man! you! Don't you wish to borrow my petticoat! To sleep +when engaged in the noble art of hunting! To complain of fatigue! Fie +upon such men! But can you not discover the thief?" + +"No, my dear, I assure you. I cannot, how could I know what happened +while I was sleeping?" + +"That is the reason why you never knew anything in your life," replied +the exasperated woman. "But see there comes Gottlieb with a partridge in +his hand. He is a pattern. _He_ never allows _his_ game to be stolen," +and Mistress Ulrica composed her features, and assumed an expression of +motherly benevolence, while she descended the stairs to receive her +nephew. + +"Thank you, good Gottlieb," said she meeting him at the door, "thank +you, your uncle has been unfortunate this morning; but come with me to +the dairy, and you shall have the cream of an entire pan of milk." + +"The milk also, if you please, aunty, I feel myself able to devour every +thing, pan and all." + +"Well, satisfy yourself. By and by we will go to my bleachery and you +may select a piece of linen.--Do you understand?" + +"Not a word. It is all a mystery. But I do know that there is not a +nephew on the entire Scandinavian peninsula, who possesses an aunt with +such an affectionate disposition." + +"Ah, you flatterer, it is well that you are my nephew or else Fabian +might be jealous." + +"Well I am not sure but that he may yet have an occasion, for, I am not +aware that nephews are forbidden to love their aunts." + +From that day forward Gottlieb was taken under the especial protection +of his aunt, and as her favorite he was certain of a comfortable and +pleasant life. When she became acquainted with his manners, virtues and +accomplishments, her esteem for him was, if possible, doubly increased. + +What could he not do, the dear boy? Not to speak of his wonderful +success in amusing little Jean Ulrick, Mr. Fabian's sole heir, he was +able to read aloud to his aunt from her favorite volume, and to repeat +with almost sublime patience, all those tender passages to which she in +a plaintive tone would sigh _de capo_. More than all this. He could +sing--the model nephew--and accompany his voice with the guitar not only +to the tune of "my love and I," but also to his aunt's favorite ballad, +"In the shadows of the wood; in the cavern hid away." And finally there +was not a female domestic in the house who dared to compete with +Gottlieb in the art of chopping string beans. In short, he was a nephew +whose peer could not be found in all Sweden, and who knows whether the +piece of linen he chose from the bleachery was the last he received from +his indulgent aunt. + +Poor Gottlieb, while you are thus the prime favorite of your strong +minded aunt, having free access to the pantries and dairy-rooms, have +you no misgivings that the day will arrive when the doors of this house +shall be closed against you? Relentless fate who ever demands a +sacrifice. How true are the words of the wise Solomon, "All is vanity +and vexation of spirit; and there is no profit under the sun." But it is +not to be believed that Mr. Fabian's slumbers were disturbed because his +wife had deserted him. No, he even preferred the company of hunger and +thirst rather than that of his Ulgenie. Not that this state of mind +originated from the many lectures he had received from his wife. Ah, +no, there were far more powerful reasons; but it is certain that if +Mistress Ulrica had suspected that her husband's indifference arose from +any other motive than the wish to escape a deserved punishment she would +have, undoubtedly, increased the vigor of her tongue to such a pitch +that his house would have been uncomfortably warm to him. + +After dining upon Gottlieb's partridge which had done much to smoothe +her ruffled temper, Mrs. Ulrica was thus insinuatingly addressed by her +husband: + +"Have you any errands for me to perform at the parsonage, dear Ulgenie? +I wish to ride down there to talk over the parish matters with the +parson." + +"That's right, dear Fabian. Take Gottlieb along with you. He would like +to see the young ladies, each of whom are worth a ton of gold." + +At this proposal Mr. Fabian's brow darkened; but the gloom was soon +dispelled as Gottlieb declined the pleasure of going, and the first +smile which the young man had received from his uncle was when he +replied: "Excuse me to-day, my dear aunt, I wish to write to my mother." + +He had no desire to disappoint his young pupil of the valley. + +"Excellent youth!" exclaimed his aunt, "pleasure cannot wile you from +your duties. God forbid that I should attempt to do so; and you Fabian," +she added extending her arms towards her husband, "kiss me before you +go. Your Ulgenie has no desire to deprive you of any reasonable +enjoyments." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +MR. FABIAN AND MAGDE LONNER. + + +"O, how thankful I am that you can come out here on the green, dear +father." Thus said Magde, as she gave old Mr. Lonner his hat and cane, +after Nanna had filled and lighted his pipe. + +It was a beautiful scene to behold the two sisters thus employed. Ragnar +was right. Without waiting for a request, they were apparently striving +to outvie each other in performing little services for the old man. In +short, Mr. Lonner had not a wish which was not gratified. They +anticipated his every desire. + +"There, that will do, my daughters; I thank you. I feel so young +to-day, that I am quite happy. My rheumatism has left me almost +entirely; so give me your arm, Nanna, and we will go." + +"Where are you going?" inquired Magde. + +"O, after we have taken a short walk," replied Nanna, "I have proposed +that we should go to the spring in the meadow, and sit down awhile. It +used to be one of papa's favorite spots." + +"Perhaps you had better take a book with you," said Magde, "and then you +can read to him." + +Nanna blushed. Her object was to afford to her father another and much +greater pleasure. She hoped in this manner to introduce Gottlieb to him +before the youth should visit the cottage, because she feared that Magde +in that case would wonder at her familiarity with the new comer. + +Many times during the day, Nanna had endeavored to say to Magde, "last +evening, and the evening before, I met an elegant young man near the +spring in the meadow;" but for some unknown reason, the words never +passed over her lips. She imagined that if she was alone with her +father, she would not fear to tell him, and she also thought that when +Gottlieb would see her with the old man, he would know that she had not +agreed to meet him alone. + +Her father would also converse with them about the time when she should +commence her school, about which she had already erected many castles in +the air. A little house she had thought should be erected in the valley. +Here she should dwell alone with her cat, her little goldfinch with his +elegant green cage, and she would also have a shed for her cow. She also +wished to take a dog with her; but finally she thought she would not do +so, for he would eat too much, and aside from that, would not be of the +slightest benefit to her, for Carl would certainly assume the entire +control of him. + +There was no doubt, she had thought, but that good Carl would help her +with her heavy work. That is, he would come to her little house on +Wednesday and Sunday afternoons, to scrub her floors and bring the wood, +while she was engaged in making cakes and pies for her father and Magde, +who should visit her on those evenings. Of course this plan was to be +followed during the summer only. During the winter, she would spend +those afternoons and evenings in the large house. + +What true happiness did the girl experience as she thus innocently +dreamed of her future life! Her joy was increased as she fancied herself +seated in her little school-room after the close of her labors for the +day. That little room was to be a bright place in her memory forever for +was it not he, her friend, who had told her that she would require some +recreation after school hours, and was he not also to teach her the +means for doing so? + +We will not describe Nanna's blushing confusion as she told her father +of her acquaintance with Gottlieb, neither will we paint at length, the +mingled sentiments of fear and hope which filled the old man's heart as +he heard his daughter's story; but will simply remark that the meeting +between old Mr. Lonner and Gottlieb was mutually gratifying, and that as +is naturally the case under such circumstances, they each wished to +continue the acquaintance thus pleasingly commenced. + +Upon the sand in front of the cottage Magde's children were playing in +the sun, while Christine, the servant girl, was dividing her attention +between her sewing work, and the baby which was reposing in a kneading +trough, upon a little bed of rushes. She would also occasionally cast +her eyes towards the other children, as they dug little ditches which +they filled with water brought from the house in an old kettle, and then +sailed their little bark boats in these miniature canals. + +In the meantime, Magde, as usual, was sitting in the parlor, weaving at +her loom with such violence that the window panes rattled in their +sashes. As she was thus engaged she hummed a little song, which Ragnar +during their courtship had frequently sung beneath her window as a +signal that he wished to see her alone. As Magde loved her husband above +all other earthly things, his favorite song had never become discordant +to her. This song she took most pleasure in singing when she was alone, +for then she could give full rein to her fancy, and look forward to the +time when her loved husband should become a captain, and command an +elegant schooner in which he could receive his wife, for she hoped that +she might be able to take one voyage at least to Goteborg, to preside at +the table in Captain Ragnar's cabin. + +Then thought she, what a great stir her appearance in the vessel would +create! "Heavens," one would say, "what a beautiful wife our captain +has!" Yes, the captain is a man of taste. "The captain, always the +captain. O, how grand it sounded! The captain loves her so much," the +sailors would also say, "that he scarcely takes his eyes from her, and +how affectionately she looks at him! O, it must be a happy life, to be +thus married!" + +While Magde was thus engaged in her pleasant reveries, the latch was +lifted and the door swung open slowly. + +"Mercy! What can be Mr. H----'s business here!" she exclaimed. + +"O, do not disturb yourself," said Mr. Fabian, for it was our valorous +huntsman who thus disturbed Magde's dreams, "I hope everything may be +arranged without trouble. I am not the man who would injure his +neighbor, even if I had it in my power." + +"What do you mean!" exclaimed Magde dropping her shuttle in her terror. + +In the meantime the worthy gentleman had gradually approached Magde, +but so softly and cautiously that he resembled a cat about pouncing upon +a trembling mouse. + +"Heaven forbid," replied Mr. Fabian, "that I should think that you knew +anything about it. A woman so virtuous as you are, would not engage in +any wrong action; but I do think that a man's property should be +respected." + +"Mr. H----, if you have any evil tidings speak them out at once. Perhaps +Jon Jonson has arrived, and the goods that Ragnar--" + +"With a deep blush Magde suddenly ceased speaking; but her visitor +required nothing further. He pretended, however, not to have understood +her words; but as he well knew that Jon Jonson's vessel was still at +Goteborg for he expected some merchandise in it himself, it did not +require much penetration for him to surmise that the mate Lonner had +taken an opportunity of sending home some smuggled goods by his friend +Jonson. + +"I know nothing about Jon Jonson's vessel," said Mr. H---- after a +moment's pause, "but, I can readily perceive that you expect some +compliments from your husband." + +"Yes, not only compliments; but also a quantity of merchandise," replied +Magde, who, after a moment's reflection had concluded that it was better +not to make a secret of it, "as Ragnar had a little overplus he +concluded to send us a few necessary articles from Goteborg. We are +poor, and cannot demand credit until he returns." + +"It is better not to do so," replied her visitor, "but at present we +have neither Jon Jonson nor Ragnar to speak about. A certain person in +this neighborhood has placed himself in an unpleasant position." + +"Who can it be?" exclaimed Magde, terrified by Mr. Fabian's imposing +aspect, "I will run and call father!" + +"If the old man is not at home," replied her visitor concealing his joy +by assuming a frown of vexation, "it will be better not to call him as +it will only cause the venerable man much pain." + +"Tell me, do tell me, what has been done?" stammered the frightened +woman. + +"I refer to your brother Carl!" + +"Carl, the half-witted Carl." + +"O, he is in no want of wit, and his weak mind shall not serve him as a +protection when he stands before the justice. Theft is theft, no matter +who commits it. At least so the law considers it." + +"The game!" cried Magde clasping her hands in despair and terror. + +"You are right, the game that he stole from me this morning while I was +sleeping. I knew full well that the proud and conscientious Magde, would +not deny that he had brought it home." + +"But who could have--have--" + +"Right, who could have believed that he would have done so, and that is +the very point, and an unlucky one, for it proves that he must have been +seen while committing the theft." + +"How terrible this is! A few days ago I happened to say that I wished we +had some game for our old father, and now--now--" + +"Calm yourself," interrupted Mr. Fabian, extending his hand and +enforcing his consolation by a love-tap upon Magde's shoulder. In her +affliction Magde did not withdraw from this salute, and Mr. Fabian had +an opportunity of gazing upon her lovely neck for a full moment, to +prolong which he would have given the value of a hundred hares and +partridges. But Magde arousing herself from her stupor, looked her guest +full in the face, and there read an expression which displeased her. + +With a blush she replaced the handkerchief around her neck, and suddenly +enquired: + +"What then, sir, is the real intention of your visit? You said you would +not disturb us, and as the game is untouched we can return it +immediately." + +"The game is not the object of my visit." + +"What is then?" + +"The theft. Carl will be brought before the justice, I told you there +was a witness to his crime." + +"But how can that happen unless you enter a complaint?" + +"Have I not the right to enforce the law which is made to protect our +property? but it is possible that I might hush the matter up if I chose; +and when I fancy that I see the poor fellow under arrest, when I behold +him in the culprit's box, in the court-room; when I--" + +"May God protect him!" interrupted Magde, "you have said enough, Mr. +H----. I am but the wife of a poor sailor; but if my humble prayers will +be of the least avail--" and Magde, the proud Magde, who before had +often dismissed Mr. Fabian with disdainful gestures, now clasped her +hands, and looked into his face with an expression of tearful entreaty. + +"O, do not despair, my dear Magde," said he, "such tender prayers and +looks, have a wonderful influence upon me. Aside from that your present +attitude is perfectly charming." + +Overpowered by a sudden revulsion of feelings, Magde closed her eyes, +and sank her head upon her bosom. + +"I see," said she, "that you do not intend to assist us from our present +trouble." + +"On the contrary," replied Mr. Fabian with much animation, "I will do +everything for you, if you will only conduct yourself towards me, in a +manner different from that which you have done heretofore." + +"If Mr. H---- demands nothing more than friendship," replied Magde, with +difficulty repressing her anger, "that shall not be wanting." + +"Nothing more, upon my honor," said Mr. H----, joyfully, "if you, dear +Magde, will promise that when you meet me you will favor me with a look +of kindness, I assure you by my honor, that nothing more shall be heard +about this unpleasant affair; and as a proof that we shall hereafter be +friends, I demand the slight favor of a kiss." + +"That cannot be," replied Magde, with the coolness of despair, "I love +Carl as my brother, and will give anything to preserve him from +disgrace, except that which does not belong to me." + +"What do you mean, my little piece of stubbornness, do not your lips +belong to yourself?" + +"From the moment that I entered my bridal chamber, I considered myself +as belonging to my husband alone, and Mr. H----, you can be assured that +you are not the person who can cause me to forget my husband's rights." + +"Look you," shouted a harsh voice from the door, "before Magde should +kiss your wrinkled old lips, I would run into the prison of my own +accord;" and first Carl's head, and then his uncouth form appeared, as +he entered the room. His face was convulsed with passion, and his eyes +glanced irefully upon the surprised Fabian. + +"Simpleton! you trespass upon my good nature!" exclaimed Mr. Fabian, +foaming with rage. + +"Do I?" replied Carl, "perhaps I shall trespass upon something else. Do +you know, sir, what I shall say when the justice questions me?" + +"What would you say, good Carl?" inquired Magde, encouragingly. + +"I would say, for I know exactly how it will come to pass, I would +humbly say to the justice, that I did take the hares and partridges from +the proprietor of Almvik." + +"Yes," interrupted Mr. Fabian, "you will be obliged to show your hand." + +"'Now,' the judge will reply," continued Carl, without noticing the +interruption, "'My lad, why did you do so?' Then I will answer, because +it is not forbidden in my catechism; if the game had been an ox or an +ass, I would not have taken it. Then I would say to the justice, at the +same time looking at him in this way"--and Carl made such a ridiculous +grimace that Magde nearly laughed outright--"that there was no danger +that Mr. Fabian H---- would frighten such fierce animals as the ox and +the ass, for it is his custom to charm the hares and partridges by the +sweet sound of his snores, for your Honor must know that this huntsman +pursues his game while comfortably snoring in the grass." + +"What do you say, clown?" + +"And then I can call as a witness the very man whom you intend to use +against me, and finally I think that the justice will smile a little +when I tell him that Mr. Fabian H---- was willing to forget all harsh +measures for a kiss from Magde." + +"Ha! ha! ha!" exclaimed Mr. Fabian, with a forced laugh, with which he +attempted to conceal his uneasiness, "you are a waggish rogue! Your last +words have afforded me so much amusement that I have not the heart to +injure you for such a trifle. But listen, you little simpleton; you must +not suppose that the justice would allow you to say all that. No, he +would have sent you away long before you could have had time to utter a +word about it." + +Carl made no further reply than by applying his thumb to his nasal +organ; and gyrating his fingers in a manner so significant that we will +not endeavor to interpret his meaning. Having executed this manoeuver, +he hastily left the room, but remained at such a distance that he could +keep a watchful eye through the open door upon the unwelcome guest. + +Mr. Fabian, who did not wish to appear vanquished, was at a loss how to +change the conversation to such a theme as would afford him a suitable +opportunity to take his leave in a dignified manner. But good Magde, who +had now entirely recovered her usual equanimity, soon assisted him--by +means of that instinct which sometimes puts superior knowledge to the +blush--out of his dilemma by saying: + +"I am grateful to you, Mr. H----, for having forgiven Carl because his +words amused you; but what a simpleton the boy is!" + +"It was because he was a simpleton that I forgave him; but now as my +visit is at an end, I will release you from your unwelcome guest. As for +the game, Carl can keep it. It would at all events create suspicion if +it was sent to Almvik." + +"And you, Mr. H----, you will not be angry with us?" + +"I, God forbid. When I forgive I forget everything." + +Magde arose and courtesied as her visitor took his departure. She +accompanied him a short distance from the house, and waited till he +unfastened the horse's halter. + +After mounting his animal, he drove his horse near the spot where Magde +was standing, and as he passed her he bowed deeply, but his face wore an +expression that caused her entire form to tremble with an undefined +fear. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +THE TRUANT. + + +Fourteen days elapsed. Gottlieb had fully learned the road from Almvik +to the cottage in the valley. It had never entered the mind of any one +of the inmates of the cottage to consider him a dangerous guest. Magde, +who possessed a quick eye, soon discovered that Nanna was the cause of +his visits; but she also perceived that Gottlieb was no dissembler. +Magde did not look further than this, for she did not suppose Nanna +would ever love one who did not return her affection. Unrequited love +she did not believe in, and she thought that Nanna was of her opinion in +this respect. + +And in truth thus it appeared, for neither Nanna nor Gottlieb +experienced the slightest degree of restraint when in each other's +society. The change that had taken place in Nanna's appearance was +marvellous; the blossoms of buoyant and happy girlhood had usurped the +place formerly occupied by lilies on her cheeks, and our young hero had +more than once laughingly said: + +"It is fortunate, Miss Nanna, that we made our agreement when we first +met, for if we had not I do not know what would have happened. You +become lovelier every day, Nanna." + +Yet in spite of these words Gottlieb would blush with displeasure when +their meetings at the spring were disturbed by a third person. + +The youthful teacher and pupil continued their meetings at the little +fountain, and Gottlieb at this spot gave Nanna her first instructions +upon the guitar. To his great pleasure she learned quickly, and soon she +was able to sing her beautiful songs to her own accompaniment on his +favorite instrument. + +Words are inadequate to describe Gottlieb's pride and elation when this +was accomplished, and he was none the less rejoiced when he discovered +how readily Nanna comprehended him when he read to her the writings of +his favorite bards. + +On her part Nanna replied to her kind teacher, by confiding to him all +of her little plans, among the first of which she mentioned the +school-room, the cat and the singing bird which he was to have, and +Gottlieb gave her his advice concerning the arrangement of the benches +in the school-room; the position which the black-board should occupy, +and what little presents she should make her pupils as rewards of merit. +He concluded by promising to send her every year a letter of advice; +possibly he might come himself, occasionally, who knew? + +"I am sure of that," said Nanna, one afternoon in reply to Gottlieb, as +he thus expressed himself, "for when you are married you will be obliged +to visit Almvik to show your rich wife to your uncle and aunt." + +"Perhaps," replied Gottlieb, with a laugh, "that journey will not be +necessary, for if my aunt could only have her own way, she would +certainly find me a wife in this neighborhood." + +"Who could you possibly marry in this neighborhood?" inquired Nanna +curiously. + +"Ah! Mademoiselle Nanna," replied Gottlieb, "I easily perceive that you +are not in the least danger, for you can hear that your friend Gottlieb +is to be married and betray not the slightest emotion." + +"Why should I be moved, Mr. Gottlieb? It will have to occur sometime," +said Nanna innocently. + +"And yet--" + +"What yet!" + +"You are a good girl." + +"Ah, but don't you remember the agreement?" + +"Yes, and I only intended to remark that it would not be difficult for +you to adhere to it." + +"Does that displease you, sir?" inquired Nanna in a tone of displeasure +which was the more pertinent as it was foreign to her usual manner. + +"Certainly not, Miss Nanna, on the contrary I am delighted that you +should follow my advice so faithfully--either of the young ladies at the +parsonage are suitable." + +"Did you refer to one of those?" inquired Nanna, her countenance +assuming a deathly paleness, "O they are so beautiful." + +"Yes, perfectly angelic--especially Miss--Miss--what is her name?" + +"You probably allude to Miss Charlotte." + +"Right, Miss Charlotte, whose hair is so black and beautiful." + +"O, no, that is Sophia!" exclaimed Nanna. + +"Well then, Miss Sophia, I prefer her." + +"But why is it that you changed their names?" inquired Nanna. + +"Why, you heard that I did not confound her black hair with her sister's +brown ringlets." + +"How strange! Charlotte's hair is quite light!" + +"Of what earthly difference is it," replied Gottlieb, "whether +Charlotte's hair is brown or white, I think only of the roguish and +pretty Miss Sophia." + +"I think you are jesting with me, sir," said Nanna laughing so heartily +that the roses instantly returned to her cheeks. + +"I jest with you!" + +"Of course. Miss Sophia is so serious and thoughtful that no person +would call her roguish." + +"Were you not as quiet as an old prayer-book the first time I saw you?" +replied Gottlieb. + +"And even if it was so--" + +"Just look into the water, my little miss, and tell me whether you look +as you used to." + +"Then you would say, Mr. Gottlieb, that by some magic spell you have +driven away Miss Sophia's gloominess?" + +"Yes, I can say Miss Sophia's also." + +"_Also?_--that is a bold speech!" + +"Are you angry?" + +"Oh, Gottlieb!" + +"Ah, Miss Nanna. Are you weeping?" + +"Mr. Gottlieb may be mischievous and tantalizing enough to compel me to +do so; but this time he has not succeeded." + +"Well, as I cannot force you to weep, I must confess the truth, and that +is--" + +"That you have seen neither of them," interrupted Nanna. + +"Not that, there you are mistaken, for I called at the parsonage one +evening with my aunt, and I was so much pleased with the young ladies, +that now I am here with you, while they are at Almvik, where they +arrived this morning. What do you think of that?" + + * * * * * + +What Nanna thought Gottlieb did not learn; but he soon was made +acquainted with his aunt Ulrica's opinion concerning his absence. +Gottlieb arrived at the latticed gate of the court-yard at Almvik, just +in time to salute the young ladies from the parsonage as they drove +forth from the yard on their return home. They appeared somewhat +displeased, and returned Gottlieb's bow with a stiff and cold salute. + +Mr. Fabian observed with pleasure, the cloud which shadowed the brow of +his beloved Ulrica, foretelling the storm that was to burst forth; but +not on himself. + +"Nephew Gottlieb," said Aunt Ulrica drawing the young man aside, "you +have to-day for the first time afforded me an unpleasant surprise." + +"In what manner, dear aunt," replied Gottlieb. + +"Is it your custom when in your father's house to remain away all day +when young ladies are visiting your parents?" + +"Nothing would have been thought about it if such had been the case. My +mother is not overfond of such strict principles of etiquette." + +"That is to be regretted, for boys who have not been carefully guided, +rarely become gallant and well behaved young men; but we will say no +more on that subject." + +"In that I concur." + +"We will therefore confine ourselves to that subject to which an innate +knowledge guides us." + +"That leads us back upon the same road." + +"On the contrary, my young friend, if you will permit me to follow my +own course I will place you on the road to heaven." + +"Are you sure, my dear Aunt, that you have discovered the right road?" + +"Certainly, only think, a ton and a half of gold; beauty, amiability, +and a knowledge of cookery which excels that of Miss Nylander [The +author of a celebrated Swedish cook book.] herself!" + +"But love, my dear aunt, is that not to be found in heaven?" + +"O, yes, and it might have already made rapid progress if you had +assisted me in my first step towards the completion of my designs, by +remaining at home instead of running away." + +"Which proves that nothing existed before in which love could take +root." + +"Nonsense!" exclaimed Mrs. Ulrica, "if you wish to succeed your father +you ought to improve your situation by some good marriage. Miss +Charlotte is a lovely blonde, and Miss Sophia, a beautiful brunette, a +perfect Spanish donna." + +"Yes, she has a remarkable resemblance to a donna; but unfortunately I +do not prefer Spanish ladies." + +"Well, then Charlotte possesses an affectionate disposition. You cannot +but admire her fine sensitive nature, which should kindle a love +equalling Werther's love of Lotta." + +"That is precisely what I fear. How would I look imitating Werther?" + +"I do not wish you to follow his example. Charlotte is a girl for whose +sake a man might act foolishly, and still be pardoned--then you prefer +Charlotte?" + +"No, above all things in the world I detest preferences." + +"That is to say, you will cheerfully take the one of the two sisters you +most admire after you have had an opportunity of visiting them a few +weeks, and judging of their good qualities for yourself." + +"Nothing of the kind, dear Aunt." + +"Then, what do you mean?" + +"That I have a great desire to look out for myself in this matter; and +that taking all things into consideration, I am much too young to think +of marriage." + +"Then you despise your aunt's assistance?" + +"God forbid that such a sentiment should ever enter my heart. I honor +and love God. I am grateful to Him that He has given me a heart, and I +pray Him not to send me a bride which that heart cannot love." + +"Your words sound well; but I shall not have my little plot marred by +them. Will you or will you not, accompany me to the parsonage, and +conduct yourself as you should before the young ladies?" + +"I will behave politely towards any young lady; but, aunt, if you have +any other meaning concealed beneath those words then--I will say no!" + +"You wish to quarrel with me, then. Do you understand what that means, +my dear nephew?" + +"I dare not think of such a misfortune." + +"Yet that misfortune will certainly come. God knows I would do much for +you; but consider upon your words while you have yet time--you need not +trouble yourself to be present at the fishing excursion this evening." + +"Why so, aunt, am I outlawed?" + +Mrs. Ulrica Eugenia assumed an air of haughtiness. + +"Then I have fallen into disgrace," continued Gottlieb. + +"I will not deny," replied Mistress Ulrica, coldly, "that you are on the +road to disgrace; but I hope this wholesome lesson will cause you to +think better of my exertions in your behalf." + +"Of that I have my doubts," thought Gottlieb as his aunt majestically +left the room; "and yet perhaps it is foolish on my part not to take her +advice.--Oh, why is not my little nymph of the fountain the possessor of +a ton and a half of gold?--The little creature--hm--She is really too +beautiful!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +THE FISHERMAN. + + +The usually turbulent lake Wenner, presented, on the evening of which we +are about to write, an unruffled and mirror-like appearance. In its +clear bosom was reflected the lofty cliffs of mount Kinnekulle, and +sloop after sloop passed over this gigantic image until a puffing +steamboat dashed over it and the picture was lost in the foaming spray +in her wake. + +Almvik was situated on a truly romantic spot near the margin of the +lake, of which a magnificent view could be obtained from the mansion. +The surface of the lake this evening presented a pleasing spectacle. +Fishes were leaping out of the water near little boats which were +swinging at anchor, or were being pulled by sturdy fishermen who were +going forth to ensnare the subjects of the water Queen; but the proud +Queen, who, from her crystal palace beheld the danger, commanded her +subjects to retreat, and quickly the sportive fishes hastened to the +depths of the water that afforded them a barrier through which their +enemies could not break. + +In consequence of these manoeuvers on the part of the water Queen, our +friend Mr. Fabian, who frequently endeavored to capture her subjects, +was invariably unsuccessful. Undoubtedly this must have been a source of +much misery to the poor man, for he was situated between two iron wills, +namely that of his wife and that of the water Queen; the latter would +not pay tribute, while the former demanded with all the firmness of an +absolute monarch, that the tribute should be forced from the water Queen +at all hazards. + +After the above explanation our readers can well imagine Mr. Fabian's +feelings when after having congratulated himself that his wife's anger +with her nephew would occupy her mind for the entire evening, he +received a summons from her that the boat and fishing tackle were ready +for use. + +Fishing was one of Mistress Ulrica's favorite pastimes, and although she +did not generally participate in it, yet when she observed her husband's +unskillfulness, she would indignantly cast aside her parasol, and grasp +the fishing rod. However it may be, whether the water queen below wished +to compliment the earthly queen above,--we know that ladies are prone to +be polite to each other--or that some truant fish remained behind to +become an easy prey to the enemy, suffice it to say that Mistress Ulrica +was generally fortunate; but she did not--as she might have done--make +use of her advantage, as she herself would say, "to cause her husband to +blush with shame." + +When the dutiful husband arrived at the landing, he found his tender +wife, standing near the boat, clasping her child's hand in her own, and +our friend was obliged to see that his jewels were safely seated in the +boat. After he had rowed the skiff out as far as Ulrica thought was +proper, he with many misgivings threw out his line. + +"How strange it is my dear Fabian, that every time you fish you sit +still there on your seat like a perfect automaton!" + +With this preamble, Mistress Ulrica opened the floodgates of her +ill-humor, to which on occasions like the present especially she gave +perfect freedom. + +"An automaton, my dear!" + +"A post, a perfect post. You do not even turn your head; just as though +the company of your wife and child was the most wearisome thing of your +life." + +But dearest Ulrique Eugenie, I must keep watch for a bite. If I turn +around--" + +"You would not lose the sense of feeling if you should; but you hope, I +suppose, that persons on the shore will think you master of the boat. +Simpleton! What folly to think that!" + +"Dear Ulrique Eugenie, shall I ask if you have spared my nephew your +ill-humor that you may vent it on me. It is my opinion--" + +"What is your opinion, sir?" + +"O nothing further than that I am sufficiently burdened with your +natural bad-temper already, without having it increased by the aid of +another." + +"Burdened!--ill-humor--bad temper!--is the man mad? Do you thus speak to +me, your wedded wife, who bears your stupid indifference; your want of +tenderness and love with angelic forbearance? O, this is too much! It is +shameful! It is undeserved!" + +"Now, now, Ulgenie, do not be so hasty. You know how patient I am." + +"And what am I, then, to be married to such a musty husband? Your wife +is courted before your very eyes; you see nothing! you hear nothing!--I +could be unfaithful to you, and even then you would close your eyes. O, +fate! O bitter life! such a husband can drive a wife to desperation, and +from thence it is but one step to madness." + +"Who is again playing the gallant to you?" + +And in this "again," reposed an expression which displayed that such +scenes were not new to him. Mistress Ulrica, like other women, possessed +her weak points, one of which was that if a gentleman happened to +converse with her pleasantly, she immediately imagined that he was +desperately in love with her. But to her great sorrow, Mrs. Ulrica, +although she possessed entire control over her husband's actions, never +could make an Othello of him. Had Mr. Fabian but known her desire in +this respect, he could have deprived his wife of her sceptre, and taken +up the reins of matrimonial government himself. + +A tyrannical husband would have been able to bend Mrs. Ulrica like a +reed, and to have trodden her under his feet which she would willingly +have kissed; but now Mr. Fabian kissed her feet, and therefore she +crushed him to the dust, and although she did not merit the reproach +that Desdemona received, it was, nevertheless, no fault of his. But of +what use would it have been even should she have merited it? Othello was +a fanciful creation which her husband of all men would have been least +willing to personate. + +"My Fabian," she would say to herself, "my Fabian can never prove +unfaithful to me. He is too much of an idler, and thinks only of his +sofa, pipe and tobacco." + +But we will resume the thread of the worthy couple's conversation. + +"Who is again making love to you?" inquired Mr. Fabian again. + +Mrs. Ulrica uplifted her reproachful eyes to Heaven. "He asks who! he +has not even observed it!" + +"No, my dear wife, I have not." + +"And yet he has this entire day--," she turned her face aside, feigning +to conceal a blush. + +"To-day! Why we have had no gentlemen guests to-day, except the pastor's +assistant who came with the young ladies, and took his departure before +they did." + +"No gentlemen guests! As if he, the accomplished scholar, and +entertaining gentleman, was nobody! and it was nothing that--" + +"Well, what further?" + +"That he, carried away by those charms, that you have so long observed +with indifference, should become deeply smitten with me." + +"What! Do you think he entertains a secret affection for you?" + +"Affection, I will not say affection; but passion, which word your dull +brain cannot comprehend, you virtuous and modest Joseph!" the lady +laughed at her own joke, and then continued, "I am not certain whether I +had better tell the young man that I have discovered his hope; but I +shall be forced to forbid his visiting me, which will be the same as +telling the whole world how this delicate affair stands." + +"Will you permit me to give you a little advice?" said Mr. Fabian. + +"Why not, Fabian, you are my husband, and as such you have the right to +do so." + +"Then I would say, drop the subject where it stands." + +"Are you not fearful! Do you not shudder at the possibility of an +unpleasant event?" + +"O, my dearest Ulgenie, can I for a moment doubt your strength of soul, +your virtue?" + +"It is true I am thus strongly armed, and I thank you, my dear Fabian, +for confiding in my faithfulness."--As was usual a few cheering +sun-beams followed the cooling shower.--"Forgive me, my dear husband, +for harrowing your feelings; but there are times when even the strongest +minded are weak." + +"You are an exception, my love." + +These confident words had nearly renewed the vexation within Mistress +Ulrica's bosom; but suddenly she was struck with an idea that caused her +to assume a still more affectionate expression of countenance. + +"We will trouble ourselves no more concerning that deeply to be pitied +young man. I have something else which I wish to confide to you." + +"Another lover?" inquired Mr. Fabian, widening his eyes. + +"I refer to a youth, for whose welfare I am deeply concerned." + +"Explain yourself, my dear." + +"Fabian, you must not hate him, for the young man does not understand +himself, this I will answer for with my life, and perhaps he only +indulges a platonic affection for one who realizes the romantic ideas +which his youthful imagination had formerly brought forth." + +"You do not mean Gottlieb, do you?" inquired Fabian, unsuccessfully +endeavoring to conceal a laugh. + +"Fabian, why do you speak so sardonically? If in spite of your +watchfulness, his has, unobserved by you, paid a tribute to your wife's +beauty, you must remember that he did not know he was sinning. It was +merely an accident that made me acquainted with the secret of his +heart." + +"Will you permit me to inquire what that accident was?" + +"With pleasure. I had--I tell you this in confidence--I had chosen one +of the pastor's daughters as his wife; I invited her to Almvik to-day, +but he avoided her presence. He retired to that solitude which he seeks +every evening either before or after we go out on our drive. A certain +instinctive sentiment causes him to leave the house when you are absent, +and more than all, when I reproached him for his faults, and pointed to +the advantageous match I had in view for him, he had the boldness to say +that he would retain to himself the right of disposing of his own +heart." + +"And do you believe, my dear, that you are the first cause of this +trouble?" + +"I have felt grieved at the thought that it might be so, nothing +further." + +"Well, well, dear Ulgenie, I will release you from this burden on your +conscience." + +Mr. Fabian, who always found it a difficult matter to converse long upon +a serious matter, spoke the above words in a tone of voice especially +lively, for his heart was rejoiced at the thought that now he had an +opportunity of ridding himself of an unwelcome guest, without giving +cause for any one to believe that it was his own desire to do so. + +"What are you babbling about?" inquired Mistress Ulrica, sharply, "what +do you know about my nephew's affairs?" + +"Nothing further than that he has had a little love affair of his own, +which occupies his attention during those solitary walks you referred to +a moment ago." + +"He! Gottlieb! Has he dared to fall in love!" + +"Certainly." + +"Impossible!" + +"But I assure you that it is true, and if you will ask him why he so +frequently visits the valley, he certainly will not deny that he goes +there for the purpose of meeting handsome Nanna, the daughter of old Mr. +Lonner. He reads poetry to her, and under the pretence of teaching her +the guitar, he finds an opportunity of pressing her pretty little white +hands." + +"If that is true. If he, while he remains under my roof, enters into +such a miserable intrigue, I will--for I consider it my duty as +occupying the place of his mother--I will to-morrow morning mar his +plans. But how did you learn this?" + +This was a question which Mr. Fabian could not truthfully answer, for if +he should do so, he would have been obliged to state that he, after his +disagreeable parting with Magde, had taken a roundabout path towards +Almvik, which conducted him so near the valley that he discovered two +persons sitting beneath the tree near the fountain, and that from that +day forward he had closely watched Gottlieb's movements, so that he +might be enabled to hold a weapon over the one who might perhaps be a +spy upon his own actions. + +It was therefore an accident which opened Mr. Fabian's eyes to +Gottlieb's crime; but he had not wished to play the part of an accuser, +O, no, for such love affairs were common to all young men, at least he +thus assured his wife. + +"Make no excuse for him, sir," interrupted Mistress Ulrica sharply, +"this indeed is excellent, and will become still richer if not prevented +in time. The reproaches of a mother on the one hand, and the curses of a +father on the other; a seduced girl, perhaps something worse; a criminal +investigation, and a scandal in which our house, and possibly +ourselves, will figure largely; all this we must expect. As true as my +name is Ulrique Eugenie, this matter shall have an end, and a speedy +end, too." + +"But how will you accomplish that?" inquired Fabian. + +"That I shall attend to myself. Gottlieb has said that he should like to +travel over the mountains into Norway. Now then he can go to Amal, and +from thence he may commence his journey. He shall have money, but must +obey me." + + * * * * * + +The following morning, after Mistress Ulrica had convinced herself by +her own eyes of the truth of her husband's report, for she followed +Gottlieb to the meadow that morning instead of taking her usual ride, +Gottlieb was summoned to her apartment, and underwent an examination +that nearly exhausted his entire stock of patience. The interview +resulted in his determination to accept his aunt's proposal, that he +should take a journey into Norway. He did not inform Nanna, however, of +the cause of his sudden departure, for he feared that it would grieve +her. + +Their last interview was cheered by bright anticipations of the day when +Gottlieb should return and observe the improvement which Nanna should +make, both in her performance on the guitar, and in her education; for +when his aunt had made a contract of peace with him, Gottlieb had +insisted that Nanna should have the guitar, to which clause the old lady +consented. + +The young couple parted in the hope of a joyful meeting, and Gottlieb's +farewell kiss did not assist Nanna to forget him. + +The next day after Gottlieb had taken his departure, Jon Jonson's sloop +arrived in the bay opposite the little cottage in the valley. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +GRIEF. + + +Nearly two months had elapsed since those remarkable days on which Nanna +had received her first kiss, and Magde had heard from her husband by the +arrival of Jon Jonson's sloop. + +Great had been her joy when Ragnar's gifts arrived in safety.--She then +thought that everything had come to a good conclusion. But greatly was +she deceived! There was a man to whom Magde had invariably conducted +herself with cool indifference, and who, after having been defeated by +her in the manner which we have before described bestowed upon her a +parting glance which had caused her to shudder as if she had trodden +upon a serpent. And he was indeed a serpent in human guise, for soon she +felt the delayed sting of the venomous reptile. + +Until Ragnar had received his appointment as mate, old Mr. Lonner had +invariably purchased his supplies of the merchants at Goteborg; but as +Ragnar thought that foreign goods could be obtained much cheaper by +procuring them himself, and sending them home without paying the duty, +he soon persuaded the old man to adopt his opinion on the subject. + +Until now no unpleasant consequence had resulted from Ragnar's +occasionally smuggling a few articles for the use of the family; but the +old adage says "a pitcher which goes oft to the fountain is soon +broken," and in Ragnar's case this proverb was verified. + +Yet, for this accident, the custom house officers were not so much to +blame, for not one in that service would have thought for a moment of +searching the cottage in the valley, unless positive information was +received, nay more, unless that information was accompanied with threats +of exposure, for dereliction of duty. Unfortunately, the custom house +stamp was wanting upon the handkerchiefs, shawls, and other goods sent +by Ragnar, and the family not only were deprived of them, but were +menaced with fines and penalties, which to pay, was entirely out of +their power. To add to their misfortune their protector, Ragnar, who +would have soon put an end to their troubles, had started a few days +before the catastrophe, upon a voyage to Brazil. + +Magde and Nanna wept only when they were alone, or at least when they +were with each other. They concealed their tears from the old man, his +life should not be further embittered; it was bitter enough already. The +little fortune on which they had hoped to subsist for many months was +entirely swept away. Old Mr. Lonner, however, observed the secret grief +of his daughters, and said to himself: + +"Poor children, you do not know what is yet to come." + +The smuggled goods were marked with old Mr. Lonner's name only, and he +well knew that a heavy penalty was yet to follow. + +"We have enjoyed so much happiness, and peace, since Ragnar and Magde +were married," said he encouragingly to his daughter, "that we should +bravely endure a little misfortune. It is not allotted to man that he +should enjoy a constant season of prosperity." + +But Nanna and Magde smiled sorrowfully as he thus spoke. The inmates of +the cottage now exerted themselves to the utmost to better their sad +condition. Our friend Carl exerted himself beyond all the others. He who +had neglected the affairs of his own relations for those of his +neighbors, now scarcely had leisure to step beyond the boundary line of +his father's estate. He was everything, and did everything so willingly +and skilfully, that it was not necessary for the family to hire any +servant to assist them as they had formerly done, and although latterly +he had been somewhat feeble in health, he cared not for himself, but +worked manfully in wet as well as dry weather. His troubles and toil +were all forgotten, when Magde would reward him for his efforts with a +friendly nod of her head. + +And when she would say, "You will work yourself to death, my Carl," he +would laugh pleasantly, and immediately renew his efforts ten fold. He +now determined that after his duties at home were performed, to go among +the neighbors; not to be a nurse for their children, as before, but to +work for wages, and after this when he returned and placed the money on +Magde's weaving loom, a bright object might have been discovered +glistening upon the crumpled bank-note. It was a tear of joy which Carl +had shed. + +Magde after the first occurrence of this incident, dared to praise Carl +no further. She already perceived the consequence of so doing, but after +the lilacs and lilies had faded, the tulips, roses and lavender bushes, +bloomed, and however weary Magde might find herself after a day of toil, +she would each evening place elegant boquets in Carl's flower vases. + +At length, and too soon, the decision in regard to the smuggled goods +arrived, and as Mr. Lonner was unable to pay the penalty imposed upon +him, he was doomed to imprisonment. In this their day of trouble, Mr. +Lonner alone retained his courage. + +He well knew in truth to whom they were indebted for their distress, but +he feared nothing. He trusted in the belief that Magde would do all that +was in her power to raise the sum of money necessary to pay the fine. It +was unfortunate, however, that Magde, without the old man's knowledge, +had expended their small stock of money to pay a few debts that they had +contracted the previous spring. + +We will not attempt to depict the misery of the moment when old Mr. +Lonner stepped into the boat which was to conduct him to the prison at +Harad which was located on the opposite side of the lake, and where he +was to be confined for the time being. Both of his daughters wished to +accompany him to the opposite shore; but he forbade them so seriously +that they dared not press their desires further. + +It was touching to observe these sorrow stricken females, amidst their +terror search high and low in the cottage for various articles of +comfort for their beloved father. At length, with a slight degree of +sorrowful impatience old Mr. Lonner ordered the boatmen to push off from +the shore, and then it was piteous in the extreme to behold both Magde +and Nanna, as they clung to the gunwale, to whisper their tearful +adieu's, and to promise that they would pay him a visit in his prison in +a few days. + +Finally the bitter moment was over; the boat rapidly proceeded from the +land; but so long as they could discern the old man's white locks +fluttering in the breeze and even until the boat appeared a speck in the +distance, Nanna and Magde remained on the shore gazing out upon the +water. + +In the meantime Carl without the knowledge of the family had proceeded +to the opposite shore of the lake, and when the boat which contained his +father touched the shore, Carl greeted him tenderly and presented him +with a ten dollar bank note. This was a treasure indeed, and Carl had +obtained it by selling the only article of value which he possessed. It +was a silver watch, which his mother had given him before she died. + +On his return home that evening he remarked:--"Father need not fear. He +can live in his prison rolling in riches; a gentleman met him on the +other shore and loaned him ten dollars." + +How Magde and Nanna blessed the kind hearted gentleman; but their joy +was but momentary. What should they do now? How should they provide for +themselves in this unexpected trouble. Their poor neighbors like +themselves, were moneyless, and their wealthy neighbors would +undoubtedly require some security before they would loan them money. + +Nanna often looked towards the spot in the meadow, so full of pleasant +memories. If her kind friend would only return. He certainly, would be +able to advise them how to act in their present strait. + +Three days elapsed after the old man's departure, and many were the +plans formed by Magde, but the only apparently feasible one, was that +which she would most unwillingly undertake to carry into effect. She was +perfectly convinced that the proprietor of Almvik would willingly assist +her; but he would do it _too_ willingly, for afterwards he would cause +her to feel that she was in his debt. + +"But," thought she in a maze of doubt and fear, "what shall I do? Is it +better to remain as we are and allow the poor old man to languish in +prison, or to go to Almvik, and thus receive the only boon our father +wishes, liberty? But what would Ragnar advise me to do. He loves his +father as he does the apple of his eye; but his wife he loves as he does +his own heart--And then if he should imagine that Mr. Fabian H---- --Oh! +my God! what trouble would then arise!--but again I shall not be able to +assist the old man--no, no, that will not do, I can hold out no longer." + +Magde had no person with whom to consult, for what advice could poor +Carl give? Nanna was a mere child, and Magde felt that she could not +consult her upon such an intricate question. + +She had conversed with the parson concerning her trouble, yet although +he was not backward in giving her good advice, he nevertheless refused +to assist her with his purse, for he was as miserly as he was wealthy. + +The time had now arrived when Magde could no longer postpone the +promised visit to her father, and all the members of the family wished +to go upon this little pilgrimage. Great were the preparations that were +made to supply themselves with a sufficient quantity of provisions which +they were to take to the old man. Magde baked pan-cakes, and Nanna made +pies, and if a smile did appear on Magde's lips it was when they spoke +of the pleasant surprise they were preparing for their father. + +At length the moment for their departure arrived. Even little Christine +and the favorite dog Carlo, were to form a portion of the company, that +they might be able to see their old friend. The children leaped with +joy. + +They thought only of the pleasant trip over the swelling billows of the +lake. Magde finished lading the skiff; but her heart was overflowing +with grief, for she had no glad tidings with which to gladden the heart +of the old man. + +Nanna who during the busy activity of the morning had successfully +endeavored to suppress her sorrow, was so much overcome as she was about +stepping into the boat that she nearly fainted. She saw in her +imagination the pale and suffering countenance of her father; who was +however smiling patiently as he stood ready to greet his children, that +were to leave him again in his dreary and lonely prison. + +The poor child in anticipation suffered all the pangs of a second +farewell with her imprisoned parent. + +"It will not do for you to accompany us," said Magde in a firm and +motherly tone, "you are ill, and therefore had better return." + +"I am afraid," replied Nanna trembling violently, "that I shall be +obliged to do so. Give my love to him, and tell him--" and now her long +suppressed tears burst forth in torrents--"tell him if I do not come, it +is not because I do not love him." + +"Silence, silence my poor sister, I know myself what I have to say--Go +and may God be with you--here is the key--Lock the door--Carl take the +oars." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +THE BANISHMENT--THE RE-UNION. + + +When Magde's boat passed the mansion at Almvik, two persons were walking +on the verge of the shore near the lake. The one was Mistress Ulrica, +and her companion was Gottlieb, who had returned a few days before, from +his trip through Norway. + +As the boat shot round a rocky point of land, Gottlieb exclaimed, as he +recognized its occupants, and bowed friendly to them: "Where are they +all going! They look so sorrowful and dejected!" + +"Sorrowful!" repeated Mrs. Ulrica, "you may thank God that it is not +necessary for you to participate in the sorrows of the lower classes." + +"If they are in trouble, I do not see why I should not sympathise with +them." + +Aunt Ulrica shook her head with a dissatisfied expression of +countenance. + +"You may certainly boast of your firmness of mind, and your knowledge of +human nature; I have shown you the danger of associating with such +persons. I sent you away--I--" + +"I beg your pardon," interrupted Gottlieb, hastily, "I was not _sent_ +away. I took a journey which I had decided on myself, and returned as I +departed, with a heart ever ready to sympathise with the afflicted." + +"Then go, and participate in the sorrows of your beggar friends. I +suppose, from your liberal words, that you are well supplied with +money." + +"What has happened to them?" + +"The old man, in connection with his son, has been detected in smuggling +foreign goods, and of course his property was confiscated. The old +gentleman in whose name the business was transacted, was sent to prison +because he had no money to pay the penalty, and there he will remain +until you go to his release." + +"And he shall not wait long," replied Gottlieb. "I have accomplished +greater undertakings than that in my time." + +"Ah, ha," sneered Mrs. Ulrica, "you speak boldly, boy. I am +astonished." + +"If any one should be astonished, I am the person." + +"Indeed!" + +"I come to relatives who at first welcomed me cordially. My affections +attached themselves to my kind friends, for it is a necessary quality +for me to be grateful; but suddenly everything is changed, and I am +treated like a school boy, whom you must curb, or else fear that he +might commit some folly. To this description of guardianship I have not +been accustomed, and as it is not my desire to submit to your control, I +must beg you, Aunt Ulrica, not to attempt to govern me in this manner, +for I assure you that your efforts will always be fruitless." + +"Foolish boy! You forget that I could be useful to you; could smooth +your path by my wealth and influence." + +"I do not forget it, and I should have been very happy to have been able +to retain your good will; but at the price of my liberty of thought and +action, I do not desire your favor." + +"Then you will return to the valley, to Miss Nanna." + +"Undoubtedly. She requires my presence, and I long to see her." + +"Then you still love the young girl?" inquired Mrs. Ulrica. + +"I do not know whether I loved her when I departed from Almvik; but +this much I do know, that her image has been with me constantly during +my absence; and that I shall see her again to-day." + +"To tell her of this folly?" + +"O, no, that would be unjust, as I can tell her nothing more." + +"Thank Heaven for that! You, yourself, see that it would be impossible +to--" + +"What?" inquired Gottlieb, as his aunt paused. + +"To marry her." + +"I do not at all consider it impossible; but as it is uncertain whether +I ought to wed Nanna when the time arrives for me to marry, it is better +for both of us that we should rest satisfied with friendship alone." + +"Listen to me, Gottlieb. Sometimes you speak so wisely that I am not +certain but that it would repay me to make a proposal to you." + +"Well, I am all attention." + +"If I am not much mistaken, pity is the only sentiment that you feel for +that girl, Nanna. If I was to take it upon myself to pay the old man's +fine; if I should further promise you to provide for Nanna's future +maintenance--you know I would not break my word--will you bind yourself +not to see her again?" + +"No, I will never do that. She would be oppressed with sorrow throughout +her whole life, if I should be capable of making such an unworthy +promise." + +"Obstinate youth! you force me to perform my duty to your mother my +sister, and command you to visit Almvik no longer. I will not burden my +conscience by abetting you in your misconduct." + +"I will remain a few days longer," replied Gottlieb without evincing the +slightest emotion, "to rest myself after my journey, and then I shall be +ready to obey your command." + +"Right," muttered Mrs. Ulrica hotly, as she hastily left the young man, +"you shall repent this." + +Without wasting time by thinking upon this conversation with his aunt, +Gottlieb hastened on the road towards the little cottage. He had +observed Nanna was not in the boat, and after proceeding to the spring, +and fruitlessly searching for her, he hurried to the cottage, his heart +beating with such rapidity as he stood before the door, that he was +astonished at his great emotion. + +"Illness could not have prevented her from going with them," thought he, +"certainly not, or they would have remained with her." + +Thus thinking he knocked at the door; but he was obliged to repeat the +summons several times before he heard the sound of slow footsteps +approaching. + +"Who is there?" inquired a soft voice from within. + +"'Tis I, Nanna!" + +An exclamation of joyful surprise was the only reply. The bolt was +quickly thrown back; the door opened, and Nanna appeared upon the +threshold, pale and careworn. She was clothed in her only holiday dress, +a black merino frock which fitted closely around her neck, thereby +disclosing her graceful bust to its best advantage. + +Without speaking, but overwhelmed with her joyful emotions, she cast +herself in Gottlieb's arms, and never was there a purer embrace given or +returned than on this occasion. With tender gentleness Gottlieb +imprinted his second kiss upon her lips, and then said softly:-- + +"Poor Nanna, poor child, you have at least one friend in your +adversity." + +"Then Gottlieb is acquainted with--" She blushingly withdrew herself +from his embrace. She had not thought that her greeting had been +contrary to customary usage. + +"Yes, I know your sorrow; and you may rest assured that I will give +myself no rest, during the few days that I remain here, until I see your +father at liberty and safely in his own house again." + +"O, if that were but possible!" she clasped her hands and lifted her +eyes, confidingly, to the face of her youthful friend. + +"It shall be possible, Nanna. You have my word for it. If I had been +here it would not have happened." + +"I thought so. An inner voice told me that if _he_ would only come to us +all would be well again." + +"I am grateful for your confidence and shall always remember it with +pleasure." + +"Remember it!" exclaimed Nanna, "are you going to leave us again?" + +Nanna again clasped her hands, and this action and the mournful +expression of her countenance spoke more than words could have +expressed. + +"Will you miss me, Nanna?" + +"Always." + +"And perhaps wish we had never met?" inquired Gottlieb earnestly. + +"Ah, no," replied Nanna warmly, "the remembrance of you will perhaps +work a happier future for me than I would have had without it." + +"But tell me," said Gottlieb changing the subject to one less dangerous, +"why did not your sister apply to the proprietor of Almvik." + +"O, she would never apply to him. She would rather allow things to take +their own course." + +"Why so?" + +"I know not whether I dare tell you. Papa and Magde, consider me a mere +child, yet I can understand that Mr. H---- has sought her with wrong +motives, and if I can believe my brother, Carl--" + +"What then?" interrupted Gottlieb eagerly. + +"Then I can believe that all of our troubles have originated in the fact +that Magde refused to give that gentleman a kiss when he requested it." + +"What, did he wish to purchase a kiss?" + +"Yes, for Carl's pardon," and now Nanna related every circumstance +connected with the theft of the game, in nearly the same words in which +she had heard it from Carl. + +After a short season of reflection, during which he compared the +different circumstances, Gottlieb arrived at the same conclusion that +Carl had expressed to his sister; and at the same time he also fancied +that he had discovered a method for old Mr. Lonner's release, which +could not fail of success. In the meantime he merely inquired whether +Mr. Fabian H---- had visited the cottage since his discomfiture. + +"I have several times observed him prowling about the premises," replied +Nanna; "he probably hoped to have an opportunity of seeing Magde alone, +which however he has never had, for even should he offer his assistance, +she would not have dared to accept it, for if she did, Ragnar would be +very angry." + +When Gottlieb returned to Almvik, he learned that his worthy uncle, whom +as he before knew had left the house early that morning, was not +expected to return until late in the evening. In consequence of this +unfortunate circumstance, Gottlieb saw nothing before him except a +vexatious delay in his intended operations; but it soon entered his mind +that Mr. Fabian's absence might be connected in some degree with his +wayward love. The day on which he had visited Magde, in order to take +advantage of Carl's theft, he had also departed from Almvik in the +morning, for during the evening hours his wife was invariably on the +watch. + +The more Gottlieb considered this circumstance the more he was convinced +that if his uncle had sown the seed it was done for his own benefit, and +undoubtedly the time was now at hand when he should reap the harvest. + +"Ah!" thought Gottlieb, "if I should only be so fortunate as to obtain a +power over my uncle, my suspicions and conjectures would exert a +powerful influence upon his yielding disposition, especially, if I +should place his wife in the back-ground. But to surprise him, with my +own eyes in forbidden grounds, would be as good as to have old Mr. +Lonner safe back in his cottage again." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE PRISONER. + + +While the incidents last narrated were transpiring on the one side of +the lake, Magde's boat had reached the other, and the occupants of the +boat were about landing, yes, Carl had even secured the boat to the +stake, when one of the little ones in attempting to reach the landing, +fell overboard with a loud cry. + +The young and always self-possessed mother, answered the boy's cry, not +by crying out herself, but by springing into the water after him, and +when Carl turned to learn the cause of the confusion, she had already +reached her little boy, and was holding him up at arm's length out of +the water. It was all done in a moment, without the least unnecessary +confusion. + +"Carl," said she quietly, "take the boy." + +But Carl had lost his self-possession entirely. After he had literally +thrown the boy on the landing, he inquired with a trembling voice:-- + +"Could you not wait for me? The boy would not have sunk immediately." + +"You must not scold me, Carl, I am only a little wet." + +She then quietly drew herself to the shore. + +"How will you dry yourself now?" inquired Carl in a tone of uneasiness +and vexation. + +"O, easily, I will call on Mother Larsson and borrow a dress to wear +while we visit our father, and my clothing will be dry by the time we +return." + +Carl was silent. He was displeased because Magde had not called him to +her assistance. Meanwhile he proceeded with the children to the prison, +that he might prepare the old man for the visit. Magde did not tarry +long at Mother Larsson's. As soon as she had obtained the necessary +garments, she hurried on, clothed in a neat peasant's frock which fitted +her fine form gracefully. + +The prison at Harad was located in the ruins of an old castle. Its +outward appearance presented a dark and forbidding aspect. The heart of +the beholder would contract within him as he gazed upon those ruins of +fallen greatness, as they reposed before him, dark and deserted, like +an evil omen in his path. + +But the interior of the prison, with its tottering weather beaten +projections, apparently ready to fall from their resting places, +presented an appearance still more gloomy and forbidding. Dampness, and +mould of a hundred years growth had obliterated all traces of the fresco +paintings that had formerly ornamented the ceiling, on which the +moisture had gathered and fell at regular intervals with a hollow patter +upon the stone pavement below. + +The places once occupied by glittering chandeliers were now shrouded +with immense spider webs, in which a whole colony of spiders lived +subsisting on the noisome vapors of this gloomy charnel like abode. + +Aside from these poisonous insects, an occasional rat, and a few +unfortunate prisoners, there were no other inhabitants in this dark +prison. A flock of jackdaws had built their nest beneath the eaves of +the old castle, and as they received good treatment from the prisoners +they would pay them a passing visit at their grated windows to look in +upon them or to receive a few crumbs of bread. Old Mr. Lonner had +already made their acquaintance and derived much pleasure from attending +to their little wants, while he anxiously awaited the arrival of his +children. + +When Magde arrived she found Carl had prepared the way for her so that +she, without hindrance, proceeded directly to the old man's cell. Mr. +Lonner was deeply moved by the visit of his children; but he appeared +perfectly resigned. Magde's two children were seated upon his knees, +while Carl was standing before him relating all that had transpired +during his imprisonment. The cloud which had rested upon the old man's +brow changed instantly to an expression of joy when he beheld Magde the +wife of his beloved son, enter the room. His arms trembled as he +embraced her, and his heart throbbed painfully when she described her +sorrows and troubles, and told him that Nanna had nearly fainted as they +were about entering the boat, at the mere thought of the second parting. + +"It was right to leave her behind," said Mr. Lonner, "and if we can only +find some means whereby I may be released before the autumn, that the +cold may not increase my feebleness, then--" + +"Means must be found, father, I think, of immediately going to the city, +to take our cow and the two sheep with me, aside from those I will also +take the piece of linen which I have made for Ragnar's shirts. By adding +all these together I--" + +"But, dear daughter, if you sell the cow, how will these little ones +prosper?" He clasped his hands upon the two little white heads of the +children who were sitting in his lap. + +"O, I can borrow some milk of our neighbors, and we can repay them in +the fall, after Ragnar returns, for then we shall have another cow." + +"That will never do, my child. We must discover some other method." + +"I had an idea, also," said Carl, advancing from a corner into which he +had withdrawn when Magde entered. + +"What is it, my good boy?" inquired his father. + +"I was thinking about that which Ragnar has so often told us, about the +people in England who procured money by pawning themselves--what was it +he called it?" continued he, scratching his head to arouse his memory. + +"Life Insurance, was it not?" replied his father. + +"That's it, father, and Ragnar also told me that even here in Sweden, +gold might be obtained from England on such terms. Now, if we could find +some one who understood this matter, and would undertake to draw up the +proper writings, I would willingly give my life as security, and then +you see, father, I should be just the same as so much ready money." + +"My good son, your words are well intended; but it is not as you think +in relation to Life Insurance." + +"O, that is too bad, father, or you might have received a large sum of +money when I am dead." + +"My life, I hope, will be finished before yours," said his father, "I am +old, and you are young." + +"True, I am young in years; but lately, yes, last Friday, while I +passed through the church yard, I heard a voice, and that voice I +believed." + +"What ideas you invent!" exclaimed Magde, frightened for the first time, +as she observed Carl's hollow cheeks and sunken eye, "but what did the +voice say?" + +"'Carl, Carl, Carl,' it said, calling my name three times, 'you will not +live long.'" + +"Your brain is weak, my boy, because you have worked too hard. When your +body has received rest, and rest it must have, you will feel much +better. But tell me, Carl, what you thought when you imagined you heard +the voice." + +"I did not think, but merely replied, 'indeed.'" + +"But, Carl, with this superstition you will make your father sorrowful." + +"Sorrowful? I do not think so. Should he be sorrowful because our +Saviour in his grace is willing to call me to his fold? Instead of being +sorrowful, the day of my departure should be a festive day. How many +troubles do we escape after we are placed in the earth!" + +"But if you think in that manner, you will become mournful yourself, you +will not be able to laugh any more." + +"Not laugh," replied Carl, and without an effort he commenced laughing +merrily. His face glowed with mirthfulness, and his melancholy humor +seemed to have vanished as if by magic. It appeared so strange to him +that Magde should desire him to laugh, that he forgot all about the +life insurance or the warning voice, and once thus engaged, he took no +farther part in the consultation. + +An hour elapsed, and Magde, after having emptied the basket of its +contents, experienced a return from the hope that had sustained her +during the interview, to her former despondency, as the moment of +parting approached. Carl proceeded in advance to prepare the boat. + +"In four days, at the furtherest, I shall return," said Magde, pausing +upon the threshold of her father's cell, "and then, as I hope for +Ragnar's continued love, I shall bring you good tidings." + +"Thank you, my dear Magde. Ragnar shall learn all that you have done for +his old father. Kiss Nanna, poor little innocent, for me, and tell her +that she must not come here, for it will only make her heart more heavy +and sad." + +A moment later, and the creaking doors resounded throughout the ruins, +the prisoner was again alone. + +But once more did he hear a dear voice, for when Magde arrived at the +outside, she remembered with a feeling of uneasiness, that her youngest +child had not been blessed by its grandfather. In the haste of +departure, the little one had been entirely forgotten; but as it was +impossible for her to leave the prison with the dear child unblessed, +she stood beneath the grated window, and exclaimed: + +"Father, dear father, please look through the window, and I will hold +up the baby for you, that you may give it your blessing." + +Immediately the old man's white head appeared at the window, and Magde +held the child aloft in her hands towards him. + +And now everything was performed rightly; the last farewell glances were +exchanged, and then Magde and her children disappeared from the old +man's sight. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +GOTTLIEB ON THE WATCH. + + +The heat of the day had been followed by the pleasant coolness of an +August evening. The hands of the clock pointed to the hour of ten, and +Gottlieb, who had been walking during the entire evening in the +neighborhood of the little red cottage, began to think that his uncle +Fabian had in all comfort reached his home by another road. + +"It is so quiet in the cottage," thought he, "that I think they have all +retired." + +He glanced stealthily over the lilac hedge towards Magde's window. The +entire valley was bathed in moonlight, and the moonbeams glanced +directly through the window panes of Magde's apartment, with such vivid +brightness that Gottlieb was undecided how to act. + +Soon, however, he resolved to convince himself of the true state of +affairs, that he might be prepared if his uncle should arrive. + +He gradually made an opening in the hedge and having found his way clear +before him he advanced to the window which, as the weather was warm, was +secured only by a small cord. He glanced through the window, and a +beautiful picture met his gaze. In this chamber, the husband and wife's +little temple, the moonlight was brilliantly reflected from Ragnar's +brightly polished hunting and fishing implements which, neatly arranged, +were hung against the walls. + +At the opposite side of the room, a much worn sailor's hat, commonly +called a tarpaulin, was balanced upon the point of a fishing rod, and +beneath this trophy was placed a small side board, the open doors of +which disclosed a number of shelves laden with gilt edged drinking +vessels of white and blue china; a set of rose colored tea-cups, and +several polished silver plated mugs. A few uncommonly excellent +specimens of carving in wood, decorated one of the shelves, and another +shelf contained several articles of jewelry which Magde had received +both before and after she was married. All these little valuables Magde +had gathered together, after she had put the children to bed, in the +hope that she might find some few articles among them that would save +her from disposing of the cow. + +But her search, undoubtedly, had proved fruitless, for Magde's ornaments +were made almost entirely of bronze. + +Seated in a chair with her hand resting upon the cradle, Magde was now +sleeping soundly. + +She had been called, probably, while she was engaged in assorting her +little treasures, to attend to the wants of her infant, and overcome by +fatigue had unwillingly submitted to the power of that consoler of human +grief, sleep. Her face was turned towards the window, and the moonlight +illumined her entire figure, which was rendered more prominent by the +fact that the cradle stood in the centre of the room. She was still +attired in the garments she had borrowed, and her brown hair, fell in +two long braids over her loose white sleeves, from whence they dropped +upon the face of the sleeping child, while Magde's elbow was resting +upon the little pillow. + +"What a picture for a painter!" thought Gottlieb. "Young Lonner is not +the most miserable of men, by my faith; but I know one who at some +future time will look much prettier in that position!" + +The dull sound of a horse's hoofs, aroused him from his reveries. + +"Ah, ha," thought he as a smile of triumph played upon his lips, "I was +right. We shall now see what is to happen." + +Gottlieb returned to his hiding place in the hedge with noiseless +rapidity. He had not remained long in his somewhat tiresome position, +when the sound of the horse's hoofs ceased, and from the noise which +proceeded from the other side of the hedge he concluded that the owner +of the horse had dismounted and was securing his animal to a tree. + +He soon heard the sound of light footsteps proceeding over the grass, +and then he discovered the familiar form of Mr. Fabian approaching the +cottage. After the new comer had assured himself that the door was +fastened he advanced to the window near which Gottlieb had been standing +a moment before. Instead of spending time in useless watchfulness he +immediately tapped upon the window; but Magde slept so soundly that the +noise did not disturb her. + +Mr. Fabian flatted his nose against the window pane and suddenly +discovered the picture that Gottlieb had so much admired. Yet it was not +an expression of love which passed his lips as he gazed upon her. + +"Confound that woman!" he exclaimed, "she drives me mad, and I believe +she would look on, if I was parching with thirst in the torments of +hell, and not give me a single drop of water." + +He again tapped upon the pane so loudly, that a person less fatigued +than Magde would have awakened. At this moment Mr. Fabian was struck +with fear at his own temerity. + +"Only think," thought he, "suppose I should awaken some one else! What +if an account of this should come to my wife's ear!"--the thought was +terrible, and the guilty husband's knees trembled violently. So much did +he respect his "dear Ulgenie," that he felt it even at his present +distance from her, and perhaps he would have relinquished all his plans +in relation to his beautiful Magde, had he not discovered that the +window was fastened only with a small cord. + +To break off a small twig from a neighboring bush, and to thrust it +through the crevice of the window and remove the cord from the hook, was +the work of an instant, and before Gottlieb could fully understand the +nature of his uncle's movements he saw him suddenly disappear through +the window. + +Of course Magde was now awakened by the noise of Mr. Fabian's abrupt +entrance, and she quickly sprang from the chair. When she recognized the +intruder she was seized with a deathly fear; which was however but of +momentary continuance. With flashing eyes, and haughtily curling lips +she advanced towards him with a bearing so threatening that Mr. H---- +retreated in fear. + +"Why do you visit me at this hour?" she inquired. + +"I was unable to come earlier. I have been to see the justice and made +such arrangements that I think Mr. Lonner can be released as early as +to-morrow." + +"And to speak these words--undoubtedly well intended--you have crawled +through my window." + +"Upon my honor it was not my fault. I knocked several times, and not +wishing to go home without telling you this good news, which I thought +would cause you to sleep better--and observing you had not retired--I +seized the only opportunity remaining." + +"Well," replied she, "I do not think harm will result from your friendly +visit, but as it is out of the order of things that you should remain +here, I must request you to leave the room in the manner you entered, +and then I can converse with you through the window." + +"Cruel Magde!" exclaimed Mr. Fabian entreatingly, and even dared to +extend his hand towards her. But Magde repulsed him with a look of scorn +and anger. + +"Travel no further upon this crooked path, and call me Magde no longer, +I bear the name of my husband, and wish to be called by that title +alone." + +Gottlieb who could observe and overhear all that occurred, or was said +in Magde's chamber, could scarcely refrain from laughter as he saw his +good uncle retreating before the virtuous woman until he arrived at the +window from which he somewhat clumsily descended. Gottlieb was on the +point of rushing forward to receive his loved relative in his arms and +thus preventing him from injuring his precious limbs, when the sound of +Magde's voice prevented him from rendering this important service to his +uncle. + +"There, that will do," said she, "we can now converse without +inconvenience to either of us. I hope Mr. H---- has not hurt himself." + +"O, never mind me," replied he, "your heart is too hard to be moved at +my sufferings." + +"I wish to say a word to you, Mr. H----. Your labor is entirely thrown +away upon me. I can pity the folly of a man if his folly is not evil; +but--" + +"Am I evil? Try me," interrupted Mr. Fabian hastily. + +"I will," replied Magde. "If you will bind yourself to release my father +I shall ever be grateful for the service." + +"And nothing further?" + +"Nothing." + +"Then, at least give me your hand that I may with it wipe away the tears +that scald my eyes. I am a weak, a tender hearted man, and must weep +when I am scoffed at. But never mind, give me your hand, a moment." + +"It is impossible." + +"Give me but your little finger." + +In lieu of a reply, Magde endeavored to close the window; but her +admirer prevented her from doing so. + +"Ah!" exclaimed he furious at his defeat. "You wish to enjoy a boon, and +not reward the donor. Then listen, the old man shall remain where he +is. If I do not interest myself for him no one else will." + +"That remains to be seen. Mr. Gottlieb has returned--" + +"Ah! then, he has returned. Well, what can he do?" + +"Not much, my dear uncle," exclaimed Gottlieb advancing towards Mr. +Fabian, "except to give my dear aunt Ulrica, a full account of the +interesting conversation I have accidentally overheard." + +"Without replying Mr. Fabian stared a moment in bewildered surprise, at +the intruder, and then rushing wildly to his horse, he mounted and urged +the animal to a furious speed. + +"Well, well," exclaimed Magde, "we can well compare Mr. H---- to a hare. +But Mr. Gottlieb, whatever chance brought you here, do not bring sorrow +upon him, by speaking to his wife of this adventure." + +"Fear not, Mrs. Lonner, I have not been on the watch here to become an +informer; but as I heard certain things from Nanna to-day, and as I from +the first have suspected my uncle, and as I wished to have him in my +power--" + +"I understand you Mr. Gottlieb. You are an honest and faithful friend, +and we shall never forget--" + +"And I, Mrs. Lonner," interrupted Gottlieb, "I shall not forget this +valley I assure you, and now good night; in a short time everything will +be as it was before." + +"Thank you, a thousand times! When Ragnar returns, through God's +assistance we will repay you." + + * * * * * + +Gottlieb's heart bounded with joy, as he proceeded on his road towards +Almvik, but the heart of another traveller in the same direction was +oppressed with gloomy forebodings. It is almost unnecessary to say that +the latter traveller was Mr. Fabian H----. On his arrival at Almvik he +entered his wife's chamber trembling with anxiety, lest Gottlieb had +been there before him. + +"What is the matter with you?" inquired his wife, who had already +retired to her bed; "has the horse been balky, or have you met with an +accident?" + +"Nothing, nothing, darling Ulgenie; but my head has been heavy all the +afternoon." + +"That is caused by your excessive sleeping," said Mrs. Ulrica. + +"Perhaps it is. Hereafter I shall sleep less, and after this, my dear +wife, I will follow your advice in everything." + +"Then, my dear, you will be a good husband. If I should always find you +so, I would not have so many causes for complaint." + +"Have you any complaint to make now?" inquired Mr. Fabian, anxiously. + +Mr. Fabian was in a state of fearful suspense. The air to him appeared +populated with evil spirits. + +"I did not speak thus for the purpose of troubling you, dear Fabian, it +would not be just for me to choose this moment, when you feel so +repentant, to remind you of other moments when you do not seem impressed +with the worth of your wife." + +"Yes, yes, that would indeed be cruel, for it is true, really true, +that--that--" + +"What, Fabian, good Fabian?" + +"That I never before have so much esteemed and adored you, my dear, +dear--" He was unable to proceed. + +"Ah! Fabian, that is the true spirit. You at last understand how happy +you are." + +"Yes, as happy as the condemned sinner," sighed Fabian; but in such a +manner that his wife heard the first word only. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +THE FESTIVAL. + + +The next morning, when Gottlieb awoke, he discovered that he had a +visitor even at that early hour of the day. His uncle Fabian was pacing +backward and forward at the side of his nephew's bed, with a countenance +so wretched and woe begone, that Gottlieb could not but pity him. + +"Good morning, uncle," said Gottlieb, cheerfully, "how is your health?" + +"Why do you ask?" + +"Your voice sounds just as if I was a robber demanding your purse or +your life. What is the matter?" + +"That which you told me yesterday makes your comparison very apt." + +"You are mistaken. It is not my intention to play the part of the famous +Rinaldo Rinaldini. I am the most peaceable person in the world, and if +you wish to remain at peace at home--which is very natural, you know--I +have no desire to prevent you from doing so." + +"But, perhaps, you intend to demand from me three times the sum of money +necessary to fee a lawyer, to bribe you to secrecy." + +"Shame upon you. I have not demanded anything. I only expect--" + +"What?" inquired his uncle. + +"That you will of your own free will and accord loan me the money +necessary to pay old Mr. Lonner's fine. In a few months, when Ragnar +Lonner returns and repays me, I will settle with you. If he does not +repay me, why it is but a small sum to lose." + +"And what will you require for yourself?" inquired Mr. Fabian. + +"Shall I peddle out my secret like a Jew? I swear by my honor that I +will not divulge to my aunt one word of all that has passed." + +Mr. Fabian thrust his hand into his capacious pocket, and withdrawing +his purse, with a sigh counted the money into Gottlieb's hand. + +"I shall not give you my note for this, for if I am not repaid I do not +expect to repay you." + +His uncle did not immediately reply, but after opening and closing his +purse several times, he addressed his nephew in a tone which displayed +deep and true emotion. + +"Gottlieb," said he, "I am not miserly. You have spared me when you +might have prepared a place of torment for me. I am grateful. Have you +any debts? Your father is not rich." + +"That is spoken like a man of honor and a true relation," said Gottlieb, +warmly, "but fortunately I have always been obliged to live +economically, and therefore have escaped from falling into the foolish +habit of contracting debts." + +"Well, then, if you have no debts, you at least have a future to prepare +for. You must not therefore refuse my offer." + +"I do not wish to make use of it at present. Yet I do not wish you to +consider it refused entirely. At this moment I do not require anything, +unless indeed you wish to spare my feet and my boots, by giving me a +little money to pay my travelling expenses. When the time comes, and I +find myself fully engaged in my father's office, I will consider your +proposal with the greatest pleasure." + +"Do so, and I will have a good memory, I assure you." + +"One word more, uncle. You must promise me to trouble the worthy Mrs. +Lonner no longer. She will never submit to your desires." + +As he thus spoke, an ashy paleness o'erspread Mr. Fabian's countenance, +and with a shudder he glanced fearfully around the room. + +"O, the walls have no ears," said Gottlieb; "but uncle you will promise +me this, will you not." + +"Most assuredly," replied his uncle. "That woman has driven me almost +mad; but I think that last night's fright has entirely cured me. I shall +not go there again under any circumstances." + + * * * * * + +The songs of the birds of the valley were more melodious than ever +before, the perfume of the roses and lilacs were sweeter than formerly, +at least so thought the occupants of the little cottage when Gottlieb +visited them that afternoon. Certainly, however, the feast which was +given on that day had never been equalled before, except perhaps on the +day of the arrival of Ragnar after a long absence from his wife and +home. + +It was a splendid dinner--roasted spare ribs, and fish, and cakes. The +old man occupied the seat at the head of the table. Gottlieb, who had +provided this repast from the money he had received from his uncle for +travelling expenses, was seated beside Nanna. The children ate so +rapidly and heartily that it appeared as though they intended to swallow +a sufficient supply to last them for a year to come. Carl, wearing his +Sunday vest, a vest that Magde had made, and with a rose in his jacket +button-hole, a rose that Magde had plucked, was seated in his usual +place at the table, cheerful and contented. Magde attended almost solely +to the old man's wants, filling his plate, and replenishing his cup. And +lastly, little Christine, who trotted from place to place, taking care +of the cow, dog, sheep, goats, and the ancient cat, was as happy and +cheerful as the others. Altogether the scene was beautiful and +harmonious. + +"And for all this happiness," said the old man, looking tearfully upon +the youth, "for all this happiness, Mr. Gottlieb, next to God, we are +indebted to you. Happy must be the parents of such a son!" + +"Father Lonner," said Gottlieb glancing around the table, with a +friendly smile, "you have no reason to be envious." + +"That is true," replied the old man nodding his head pleasantly to the +circle of beloved ones. + +In the afternoon, after the old man had retired to his comfortable bed, +now doubly comfortable to him, to rest himself awhile, and Magde was +seated by his bedside pleasantly chatting with him, while Carl was busy +making little boats for the children, Nanna and Gottlieb were seated +near the spring beneath the tree, in the meadow. + +It could easily be believed that the young couple were not very +talkative, for Nanna was busily engaged in searching in the grass for a +four leaved clover, and Gottlieb was amusing himself, according to his +childish custom, by blowing shrill blasts upon a thick blade of grass. + +It was sunset. The glowing reflection of the sun fell upon Nanna's pale +neck and face, illumining them with a golden blush. + +"I am sorry," said Gottlieb, at length, throwing aside the blade of +grass, and assuming a serious cast of countenance, "I am sorry that our +lessons must have an end; but all is for the best, for, my child, you +know enough already." + +"More than enough," replied Nanna, softly. + +"Especially for a school teacher," said Gottlieb. + +"Yes, especially for a school teacher," repeated Nanna. + +"But you speak so abstractedly. You are not so lively as usual." + +"I did not know it; but if Gottlieb says so, it must be true. When one +has been so glad as I have been to-day, and then as sorrowful, it takes +much courage to meet the change indifferently." + +"But, dear Nanna, you were aware that I should be forced to go away +soon." + +"I did not know that you were going so soon as to-morrow morning." + +"Neither did I, myself, when I saw you yesterday; but when I determined +to go by the steamboat, you perceive that--" + +"Yes, yes." + +"And then again what difference will a day or two more or less make, +when we part--" + +"Never again to meet," interrupted Nanna. + +"You will do right in the meantime not to hope too much." + +Nanna glanced inquiringly towards Gottlieb. + +"Do you not think it strange, Nanna, that we who have been acquainted +but so short a season, should think so much of each other?" + +"It is perfectly natural that we should. Persons in fashionable society +cannot become so well acquainted with each other as we could in one +hour. At first we met each other every evening, then every morning and +evening, and at length--" + +"And at length morning, noon and night!" interrupted Gottlieb, with a +smile. "In truth, Nanna, you are right, for if our every meeting was so +divided that we should be together but once each week, our acquaintance +would have been prolonged for an entire year." + +"O, much longer than that even," said Nanna, joining in Gottlieb's +laugh. + +"And as we have remained by our agreement not to fall in love with each +other, we part as friends, and not in despair, and what is still better, +not with reproaches, which, had the case been different, we would have +been obliged to make and listen to." + +"Yes, it is fortunate, very fortunate, that--that--" stammered Nanna, +unable to finish the sentence. + +"We need not conceal from ourselves that in making that arrangement we +ran a great risk. For my part, I am not too proud to say that it has +been very difficult for me to keep it." + +"But Gottlieb," replied Nanna, "as you have kept it, it is better as it +is." + +"Certainly; but then it is not so good as I wish to have it." + +"How do you wish it to be then?" inquired Nanna innocently. + +"Upon my honor I can hardly say; but if I was placed in better +circumstances--" Nanna dropped her eyelids over their soft tell-tale +orbits; but not so quickly but that Gottlieb detected a ray of hope +gleaming from their deep wells. + +"Will you advise me what course to take, when I have obtained a +competency?" continued Gottlieb. + +"No, that would be of no use; but Mr. Gottlieb, when I hear that you +have wedded the rich wife of whom you have spoken, I will rejoice at +your good fortune." + +"And does not the thought of that rich wife cost you even half a sigh?" + +"Not if that wife will render you happy." + +"Nanna, you speak as though you did not love me at all!" exclaimed +Gottlieb hastily, forgetting entirely the part he had determined to play +during this interview. + +"And should I love you?" inquired Nanna blushing deeply. "I think I am +not such a foolish girl as that." + +"But I believe that you love me," replied Gottlieb. "Can you deny that +your heart is mine?" + +"I do not deny it; but I shall not allow it to be so," said Nanna with a +glance that immediately cooled Gottlieb's sudden ardor. "My heart is my +own, and should not be an object of trouble to you; and I assure you Mr. +Gottlieb that I shall not allow any weakness on my part to cause you to +break the judicious contract we have made." + +"Ah! Nanna, you are both wise and charitable. I shall not endeavor to +wrest the secret from you; but you are so much esteemed by me, that at +some future day, when I can follow my own inclinations I will return to +you." + +"I will forget these last words, Mr. Gottlieb, for I think them the +saddest you have ever uttered." + +"You are right; but I spoke as I thought. It is not my fault if I +thought that you were above all others most suitable to become my wife." + +As he thus spoke Nanna trembled violently and she looked upon him with +a gaze which contained more bitterness than words could have expressed. + +"I believe I am mad indeed. I have endeavored to speak in a better +spirit, and instead of so doing--I had better go immediately--or--" + +"Or what?" + +"Or I will, yes, I will, hold you to my heart, and swear to you, as true +as I am an honest man, that I love you, and you alone, come what may, I +can withhold myself no longer." Gottlieb suited the action to the word, +and enfolded the blushing girl in his warm embrace. + +"O, Gottlieb!" cried Nanna, weeping and laughing, "this is madness +indeed!" + +"No, on the contrary it is happiness!" + +"But to-morrow you will repent it!" + +"Never, Nanna, I sincerely believe that all is for the best. We can work +hard; we have only a few needs, and it is such happiness to love each +other." + +"But--" + +"You must accustom yourself to omit that disagreeable word. When my mind +is once made up, I permit of no _ifs_ nor _buts_. And as we do not +require a great amount of money to defray our little domestic expenses, +I think it would be wrong for us to waste the best part of our lives in +useless delay. After one year has elapsed, the parson shall unite us as +man and wife, and I shall take you from this valley, and we will look +forward to all the joys and sorrows, which our Heavenly Father in his +wisdom shall send us." + +Nanna, who for a long season had battled against the intoxicating desire +which had filled her heart, gradually assented to Gottlieb's words, and +the interview terminated with a second agreement, which was directly +contrary to the first one, for by it they bound themselves to love each +other forever. + +They agreed that this change from their former agreement should be +concealed from all others. They alone should know the secret. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +RAGNAR. + + +Autumn arrived. + +The valley was strewn with yellow leaves. The birds had ceased their +songs. The grass had withered. Rains and storms had discolored the +fountain. Yet, although Nature seemed to have been engaged in +contentious strife, still joy reigned supreme within the little cottage. +Ragnar, the beloved husband, the darling son, had returned. Seated in +the midst of his children beside his lovely wife, and with his arm +encircling her waist, he listened with a countenance changing from +cheerfulness to solemnity to a recital of all that had transpired during +his absence. + +As soon as Mr. Lonner, for he was the narrator, had concluded, Ragnar +advanced and enfolded the old man in his arms. + +"What viper did this? I have a strong suspicion--to cast such an old man +into prison--and I was away from you, unable to protect you and these +weak and deserted women." + +As he thus spoke, his countenance glowed with indignation. + +A slight cough at the other side of the room attracted Ragnar's +attention. It was Carl. + +"I understand you, Carl," said he, "you must pardon me. I forgot myself +when I said the women were deserted." + +And the frank and honest Ragnar, whose ruddy brown countenance bespoke +his health, advanced and extended his hand to Carl, who with a face as +sickly and yellow as the seared leaves without, was reclining upon the +sofa, watching the family group with a restless eye. + +Poor Carl, each day he gradually faded, and his belief in the warning +voice he had heard in the church yard became firm and unwavering. He +accepted Ragnar's proffered hand with a grateful smile. + +"How hot you are!" exclaimed Ragnar, "I will hasten to the village and +speak to the physician." + +As Ragnar thus spoke, Carl laughed in his peculiar manner. "That will be +profitable indeed!" said he. + +"Certainly it will, dear Carl," said Magde, approaching the sick youth, +"Ragnar is right." + +"Ragnar is always right," said Carl, in an unusually sharp tone, "so +long as you please him you do not care if you neglect my wishes." + +"What, Carl, do you not love your brother?" said Ragnar, in a tone of +reproach, at the same time pressing a kiss unobserved, as he thought, +upon his wife's lips. Ragnar always felt an inclination to conceal from +the observation of others the fact that he still loved his wife as he +had when he first wedded her, and therefore rarely caressed her when in +the presence of witnesses; but on this occasion, his affection was so +great that he could not resist the pleasure of stealing a kiss. + +"Is not the entire room large enough for you to kiss in without my +seeing you?" said Carl, harshly, "I do not wish you to do so right +before me." + +"Perhaps you envy me," said Ragnar, with a laugh. He had not given +Carl's expression a serious thought. + +Carl lifted himself upon his elbow, and gazing full in his brother's +eyes, he replied slowly and firmly, "Yes." + +"Why do you, Carl?" inquired Ragnar. + +"Because I do not wish any body to kiss Magde--is it not so, Magde? You +well know how I behaved myself when Mr. Fabian H---- wanted to buy a +kiss of you." + +"What! I believe the poor boy is mad! What! Buy a kiss of Magde! Poor +Carl!" + +"Am I speaking false, Magde? Answer me." + +"O, Carl, how strangely you tell your story!" exclaimed Magde, "you +ought first to have related how it happened, and--" + +Magde flushed and paled alternately, and in her excitement could +scarcely express herself. + +"Can there be any truth in this?" said Ragnar, and his eyes sparkled. + +Magde had now recovered her presence of mind, and related, without +concealing a single fact, all that had happened between herself and Mr. +Fabian. + +"I am now firmly convinced that this--this--no matter, that Mr. H---- +was the prime cause of our father's imprisonment." + +"He was," interrupted old Mr. Lonner. "I am as firmly convinced of it, +as I am that the young man of whom I have spoken was the cause of my +release. I wish you were acquainted with Mr. Gottlieb. He is a worthy +young man." + +"I will tell him so in the letter I shall write him; but what if he +entertained the same desire that influenced Mr. H----." + +"Fear not for me, at least," replied Magde, casting a roguish look +towards Nanna. + +"Ah! that is singular indeed; but after all Nanna will bear a pretty +close inspection--but I cannot drive that Mr. Fabian from my mind." + +"First you must tell us some of your adventures," and Magde's +countenance wore such an entreating expression that her husband +understood her immediately; and therefore as long as he remained in the +presence of his father, and his sister and brother, he continued +speaking of all the singular things he had seen and heard, which was +listened to by a pleased and expectant audience. + +At length the time arrived when the husband and wife were at liberty to +interchange their thoughts freely; the children had been nicely tucked +in their little beds, and Ragnar and Magde alone occupied their private +apartment. + +"Now, dear Magde, now you must give me a good kiss. God bless you for +this happy moment. After tossing six months upon the ocean, it is a joy +indeed to return to one's own home and wife." + +"Is it true indeed, dear Ragnar, that you love me now as you did when we +were married?" + +"Did you find no four-leaved clover last summer, that you ask me this +question?" + +Without replying, Magde hastily opened a clothes press, and produced an +old compass box, from which she took a handful of withered clover +leaves. + +"See here," said she. + +"And do these not convince you?" inquired Ragnar. + +In this old box, Magde preserved, so to speak, the tokens of her wedded +joys. From the first year of her marriage, she, whenever her husband +was absent, would seek in the meadow for four-leaved clovers, under the +conviction that so long as she continued to find them, she might rely +upon the continued love and fidelity of her husband. And she was +invariably successful, and each year she deposited the clover leaves in +the old compass box. As Ragnar uttered his last question, Magde cast +herself upon his breast, and gazed tenderly into his face. + +"O don't look at me too closely, to-morrow I will look better, after I +am washed and dressed," said Ragnar, arranging his shirt bosom, and +smoothing down his jacket collar. + +"You are so good already, that if you should be better it would be +dangerous; but Ragnar, you have forgotten to measure the children to see +how much they have grown since your departure. You used to do that as +soon as you entered the house after a return from a long voyage." + +"This time," replied Ragnar, "you greeted me with such strange news that +I quite forgot all my usual habits. It grieves me to observe that Carl +is upon the verge of the grave. True, he was ill last winter; but he +soon recovered." + +"He exerted himself too much during our troubles," said Magde, "then he +has taken no care of himself, and then--yes, yes, there is something +very strange about Carl." + +"What do you mean by strange, Magde?" inquired her husband. "Do you +think that he is really insane?" + +"Oh no, I did not mean that; but--" + +"Speak on, speak your mind." + +"Now, do not laugh at my fancy--or be vexed with poor Carl. I think +that--he loves me too much, and his passion has weighed heavily upon +him, although he does not, himself, understand it." + +"Your words are worthy of reflection, Magde; now I remember, his conduct +did appear peculiar when he said he envied me the privilege of kissing +you. Poor fellow, how could I be vexed with him? He, probably, never +desired to vex either you or myself." + +"Never. Frequently during the summer I have placed flowers in his room, +and in them he took his greatest delight. Even now he loves to hear me +sing to him, or to read a chapter in the Bible, above all other things." + +"Such love," said Ragnar, "is a beautiful rose, the perfume of which +cheers a drooping spirit. He may continue his love; it will sustain him +in his last trial. Hereafter, I will not even take your hand in his +presence." + +"How kind you are, dear Ragnar. Now I can be to him as I was before your +return." Magde wiped the tears from her long eyelashes, and before +Ragnar could question her, she continued: "You may depend upon my +fidelity. I only wish to afford him a slight ray of joy while he is +still on earth. Without me he stands alone." + +"Act your own pleasure, my dear Magde, you are aware that I confide in +you as in my own heart. Although I shall act gently towards Carl, who +with his own desire, would not injure me, still I will not be so +submissive with an individual like Mr. H----, who has conducted himself +most wrongfully." + +From these words Magde became aware that she would be obliged to relate +all that had occurred between Mr. Fabian and herself, and this she did +accordingly. + +She feared more from Ragnar's silence than she would if he had given +vent to his rage in words. Ragnar possessed a faculty of controlling his +anger by a silence which was much more impressive than furious speech. + +"Ah, then he entered your window, after he had first removed the old +man. Well, well, worse things have been done before." + +This was all he said; and as not only the following, but also the second +day passed, without Mr. Fabian's name being mentioned, Magde thought +that Ragnar had looked at the affair with sensible eyes. She even felt +somewhat annoyed at the thought that Mr. Fabian's punishment should be +so light. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +AN HOUR IN MISTRESS ULRICA'S CHAMBER. + + +Throughout the entire fall, Mr. Fabian had been his "sweet Ulgenie's" +humblest slave, and therefore had been trod deeper into the dust. Since +he had learned of the return of Ragnar Lonner, he had suffered a +feverish anxiety. Even his easy chair no longer afforded him rest, for +sleeping or waking, one object alone was constantly before his eyes: +Ragnar Lonner's wrathful countenance peering through the door. + +He was suddenly seized with as strong a desire for active life, as he +formerly possessed for easy rest, and he felt himself in no safety +except when at a distance from the mansion, for he knew that Ragnar +possessed too much honor to entrap him in an ambuscade. + +One morning, when he, as had been his custom for the previous week, went +to his wife with the information that he was compelled to take a short +journey, she sharply accosted him: + +"Man, what does all this restlessness mean? Are you insane? Am I always +to be left at home alone?" + +"Ah, my dear," replied Mr. Fabian, "you are aware that I must attend to +my business." + +"I know that not long since you found it difficult to take care of +yourself. This sudden change in your disposition will never do." + +"Dear Ulgenie, I acknowledge your superior judgment; but to-day I really +must attend the auction at Rorby, there is to be a sale of some genuine +Spanish sheep." + +"Ah! as that is really some business, you may go; but come home early." + +"I hope to return before eleven o'clock." + +Mrs. Ulrica presented him her hand to kiss, and after he had pressed it +to his lips with all the gallantry which was still left him, he quickly +turned away from her. + +Mrs. Ulrica during the entire day was filled with wonder at the sudden +change that had taken place in her husband, and if she could have for a +moment entertained such a thought, she would have believed that her +husband had become acquainted with some intriguing female. + +But among her female acquaintances in the neighborhood, there was not +one whom Fabian had not seen at least twenty times, and he had undergone +each new ordeal with a firmness which proved that he was out of all +danger. + +This point once settled, Mistress Ulrica was more composed, and after +having spent the day in attending to her domestic duties, she retired to +her bed at an early hour, for she always felt weary and ill-humored when +her Fabian, whom she really loved, was not at home to hear her tender +words and reproaches. + +About an hour had elapsed after Mrs. Ulrica had fallen asleep. The +servant also slept soundly, for, although she had been told to wait for +her master, she had satisfied her conscience by leaving the hall door +unlocked--contrary to her mistress' strict command--and then retired to +her bed. + +As before said, Mrs. Ulrica had been asleep about an hour, when she was +disturbed by a singular noise which resembled the shuffling of feet near +the bed. She opened one eye that she might warn her husband that one of +his first duties should be not to disturb his wife's slumbers. But the +warning produced no effect. This being the case, Mistress Ulrica found +it necessary to open the other eye, that by the aid of the night light +she might discover Fabian's true condition. + +She first glanced towards the sofa; it was empty. Then she looked +towards the easy chair; but as this stood partially in the shadow of the +large bed curtains, she was able only to perceive a pair of feet, and it +was these very feet that had the impertinence to shuffle in her room, +without asking her permission. + +"Fabian," she exclaimed, "are you not ashamed of yourself? What are you +doing?" + +But Fabian did not reply. + +"Ah, you foolish man, I see now that you have been made drunk, you could +not withstand their entreaties, poor man; please prepare for bed." + +And yet no answer. + +"He is as drunk as possible. Go to your own room, Fabian; be careful, do +not take a light with you, and do not fall down stairs and hurt +yourself. Are you going to move to-night? Shall I ring the bell for the +servants, that they may carry you to bed?" + +Not receiving a reply, Mrs. Ulrica tore aside the bed curtains, and +extending her hand, placed it upon a strange head of hair. + +"Heavens!" she exclaimed, "that is not my husband!" + +"What of that, it is the husband of another," replied a calm voice. + +Terror prevented Mrs. Ulrica from crying aloud. "A thief!" she gasped. + +"I do not think so," replied the voice. + +"Who are you then?" stammered she. + +"Sleep quietly, you shall not be disturbed." + +Mistress Ulrica continued to feel for the bell cord. "I believe," said +she, "he wishes to murder me when I am asleep." + +"Sleep quietly, I neither wish to steal nor to murder. I only wish to--" + +The unfortunate cramp, which at her first terror had attacked Mrs. +Ulrica's throat, now suddenly disappeared, and she emitted a long and +loud scream; but no sooner had this been accomplished, than a large +brawny hand was placed roughly over her mouth. + +"Please do that no more," said the voice, "or I shall be forced to be +troublesome, and do not look for the bell-rope, it would only be +disagreeable for you if the servants should enter the room now." + +"What do you want then, fearful man?" + +"To remain where I am. At present I want nothing further." + +Suddenly a new light dawned in Mrs. Ulrica's brain. What if he should be +an unfortunate suitor for her love. + +"How?" said she, forcing all her pride and dignity into her words, "how? +remain here? Sir, this is my bed-room." + +"I am aware of the fact." + +"And here no man has a right to enter except my husband." + +"And myself," added the voice. + +At this unexpected reply, the lady summoned courage to examine the +unabashed visitor more closely. He was an elegantly formed man, and as +he gazed at her with his expressive eyes, interest and repugnance were +both created within her heart. The repugnance was caused by the fact +that the man wore a blue frieze coat, which unfortunate garment at once +dispelled her romantic dreams. + +"Will you explain the cause of this unheard of impertinence?" + +"That cause will very soon arrive." + +"Very soon? You did not seek me then?" + +"Not precisely." + +"Then probably you wish to see my husband?" + +"Yes." + +"Am I at all concerned, then?" + +"Slightly." + +"Ah!" exclaimed Mrs. Ulrica, who now remembered her strange visitor's +first observation, "there must be a mystery about this which I do not +understand. You remarked that you were the husband of another." + +"True." + +"And furthermore you said you had a right to seek my husband in this +room?" + +"You certainly know your alphabet." + +"Then you have--O, what will become of us!--you have--a demand to make +of my husband." + +"No, he has a claim on me, and this I will pay back, principal and +interest." + +"O, the monster! The crocodile! He has been untrue to me." + +"Yes, both in heart and desire; but my wife is not one who cries out, or +attempts to pull the bell-rope. She commands respect without so much +trouble." + +"And do I not, also?" + +"I do not know what you would do, if you should see a man, at this time +of night, crawl through your window, and attempt to bring you to +disgrace by the promise that he would release an old father from prison; +but I do know you have nothing to fear at present." + +"You are then Mr. Ragnar Lonner?" + +"I am." + +"And for such a miserable reward--that woman--" + +"What! Miserable reward!--that woman!--Well, that night lamp is not very +brilliant, but I can easily perceive that I have before me an old dutch +galleon, so badly rigged and managed, that I would prefer to crowd sail +and make my escape rather than to take her in tow. And you call my wife +that woman! Miserable reward!" + +"I do not understand your gibberish, my good man: but that you are +unrefined and uneducated I can easily see, and I command you to quit my +room immediately." + +"You would then force me to retreat, as my Magde drove back your +husband. Please try the experiment." + +"Monster! Unfeeling wretch!" exclaimed she, "is this the manner to speak +to a lady, to an injured wife who is obliged to bemoan the infidelity of +her husband. O, the villain! I will overpower him with my wrath!" + +"My turn comes first," interrupted Ragnar. + +"Ah, ha, I understand. My cup is filled to the brim--blood must +flow--Lonner do you wish to kill my husband, then?" + +"To fight with him. God forbid. Such things I leave to people of rank. I +have another method of doing my business." + +"And what is that?" + +"O, it is very simple. I thought that nothing would be more unpleasant +to him than to be placed in a disgraceful position before his wife, and +perhaps a greater punishment for such a miserable man could not be +devised than to--but no matter, your husband knows why he leaves his +house every day." + +Mrs. Ulrica clapped her hands together violently. Now the riddle was +solved. She now knew the cause of the sudden change in her husband's +conduct. + +"And, as it has been impossible to find him at home in the daytime," +continued Ragnar, "I have come this evening to settle with him in this +place, and at this hour." + +Ragnar had scarcely ceased speaking, when heavy and slow footsteps were +heard ascending the stairs. + +Like an infuriated tigress waiting for her prey, Mrs. Ulrica, enveloped +in her crimson shawl, sat up in her bed; her eyes flashing with rage, +and her face flushed to a redness which outvied the crimson of her +shawl. She was awaiting the approach of her husband. + +Ragnar arose, and as silent and unmoved as a statue awaited the entrance +of Mr. Fabian. Ragnar had not produced a dagger or sword; but he drew +forth from under his loose jacket a cow-hide of the greatest elasticity, +and the best quality. + +Without dreaming of the terrible storm that had gathered, and was about +to pour down upon his devoted head, Mr. Fabian entered the apartment. +But the moment his eyes fell upon the forms of his wife, the doom +pronouncer, and Lonner the genius of revenge, he staggered back towards +the door, and had not his legs refused their office he would have sought +safety in flight; but at two stern glances, one from Lonner, the other +from his wife, he sank powerless to the floor. + +And yet, if ever, this was the time for him to assume the character of +Brutus. And what better cause had he to arouse himself from his stupor, +than that Lucretia had received a male visitor in her bed-chamber. True, +Mrs. Ulrica had not received an insult, neither did she appear prepared +sacrifice herself, like Lucretia, as an atonement for the outrage. All +in all, present appearances were well calculated to arouse sterner +sentiments within Mr. Fabian's heart; but he was so frightened that he +would have forgiven everything if he could have assured himself that the +horrible spectacle was but a dream which would vanish at the coming of +the morning. + +"Perjured traitor!" screamed Mrs. Ulrica, "you hide yourself like Adam +after his fall. But come forth, this Lucifer will teach you that you no +longer dwell in paradise." + +"Mr. Lonner," stammered Mr. Fabian, "I am an innocent, unhappy man, and +I swear to you that Mrs. Magde has never--" + +As he heard these words Ragnar trembled violently. + +"Silence, reprobate," said he, "the name of my virtuous wife shall not +pass your lips. She needs none of your recommendations; but _your_ wife, +you pitiful coward, she shall learn from me, now, what your true +character is." + +Thus saying Lonner with one hand seized the unlucky Fabian by the +coat-collar, and brandished the horse-whip over his head with the other. + +But as Mr. Fabian made no resistance, but wept and begged for mercy in +loud and wailing tones, Ragnar released him, and, confused at the +singularity of his own sentiments, he glanced towards Mrs. Ulrica, and +said: + +"He is so cowardly, that it seems almost as bad to whip him, as it +would be to beat a hare. In giving him over to you I am fully revenged." + +The cow-hide disappeared beneath his coat, and Lonner departed. + +But Ragnar Lonner had made a miscalculation, when he thought that Mr. +Fabian would fall into the hands of the Medusa within the bed-curtains. +The very thought of the humiliation he had undergone, and the fear of +what was yet in store for him, inspired Mr. Fabian with an unusual +degree of courage or rather drove him to desperation. + +Brutus aroused himself. He could see no other method of escape than by +crushing the tigress before she pounced upon him. He therefore at once +attacked her with passionate actions and wild expressions. + +"O, you miserable woman! You faithless wife! Do you think that I shall +allow myself to be blinded by the farce you have just played with your +lover? I will leave you alone in your house. I cast you from my heart. +The whole world shall know you as I know you now." + +"Fabian! Fabian! are you mad?" + +Mistress Ulrica was both frightened and pleased. This was a scene she +had long desired. + +"If I am mad, who has driven me to madness?" shouted Mr. Fabian, +determined to retain the advantage he had already won. Then assuming an +imposing position he gazed sternly into the face of his trembling wife. +"How long I have closed my eyes to your little indiscretions! How many +bitter tears I have shed, when I observed how you encouraged that shark +who made love to my wife while he feasted at my table." + +Mistress Ulrica, who was suddenly changed from a tigress into a lamb, +assured her husband that she was innocent; that she had not even +entertained a guilty thought. But as she humbled herself, Mr. Fabian's +wrath increased, and astonished that he had not long before discovered +this method of taming his wife, he played the tyrant _con amore_. He +accused his wife of so many things, that she, humiliated and crushed, +fell on her knees before him, and entreated him to restrain his rage +until he had ample proofs of her guilt. This boon Mr. Fabian H---- +finally condescendingly granted, and like an indulgent pascha, entreated +by his favorite slave, he at length permitted her to slumber at his +side. + +This entire change of government was effected in the short space of one +hour. + +The sun was high in the heavens when Mistress Ulrica awoke. At first she +could not distinctly remember the drama which had been performed the +preceding night; but when all the events were brought clear to her mind, +she sighed deeply. Her destiny was entirely changed; but after a few +moments' reflection, she determined to submit to her fate, and become +the one who should obey, not command. + +While she was meditating in what manner she should refute the charges +brought against her by her husband, she was interrupted by a truly soft +and persuasive voice, which said:-- + +"Sweet Ulgenie, dearest wife, can your heart be touched? I dreamed last +night that I might dare approach it." + +"Oh, so you have noticed me," said Mrs. Ulrica, immediately assuming her +former authority, when she found herself thus entreated. "Have you slept +out your debauch?" + +"Was I--is it possible that I was inebriated? I have quite forgotten +what happened last night." + +"You fool, when were you able to remember anything unless _I_ reminded +you?" + +The perusal of a continuance of this scene will scarcely repay our +readers. Suffice it to say that Mr. Fabian's reign of one hour remained +thereafter a legend only. Like all other unsuccessful revolutions, it +was followed by a government still more exacting and severe. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +CARL. + + +Winter had departed. Ragnar, the bold seaman, had left his home, and his +ship was ploughing the broad ocean. The grass in the valley waved +gracefully in the light winds of spring. The children once more launched +their miniature boats, and the occupants of the cottage all labored for +the good of the little commonwealth. + +But there was one of the family who could not mingle in their labors, +and who sat quietly in his corner, gazing cheerfully upon the operations +of the others. It was Carl. + +During the winter Carl had been confined to his bed, but at the present +time he occupied his father's arm-chair, which the old man had +relinquished to him. He usually sat in a corner near Magde's spinning +wheel and his father's bed-room door. + +When the children returned from their out of doors sports, they would +sit on the floor near Carl's chair, and listen to the many tales of +fairies, nymphs, and sea gods, that he told them in a pleasant but weak +voice, while he as formerly made willow whistles and repaired their +little boats. + +The neighbors' children also visited the cottage that they might hear +his last stories, and they all brought with them many little gifts that +their mothers had prepared for poor Carl. At a later period the mothers +came themselves, bringing their own presents, which they carried in +large baskets, for there was not one in the entire neighborhood for whom +Carl had not performed a service, and without a solitary exception they +all loved him. + +Then who was to take his place, after he should be taken from his +friends. In fact perfect pilgrimages were made to Carl, who always +received the pilgrims with pleasant words and cheerful smiles. Carl was +not insensible to the pleasure he derived from being able in turn to +present to Magde the gifts he received from his friends. + +"Ah," Nanna often said, "how pleasant it is to be beloved," and she +would sigh as she thought of the absent one who had vowed to love her +forever, and whose word was her creed of life. How much happiness Nanna +derived from this creed! It solaced her in many lonely hours, and +produced a favorable effect upon her every action and thought. She no +longer was oppressed, as formerly, with dreaming indolence. Her cheeks +were roses now. + +Old Mr. Lonner and Magde were much gratified at this unexpected change +in Nanna's deportment, and they could account for it only by supposing +that she was much wiser than other girls of her age. + +Carl, however, had peculiar views upon this subject, and when Nanna +would exclaim, "O, how pleasant it is to be beloved!" he would reply: + +"You know right well that there is some one who loves you, or else you +would not be so light hearted." + +When Carl thus spoke Nanna would blush with confusion. + +"You must not speak so when any one can hear you," she would reply. + +Carl would then nod his head pleasantly, and one day he learned the +secret, for he felt he could not remain long on this earth, and he +wished to know all, and aside from that Nanna was anxious to discover +whether he believed as firmly as she did in Gottlieb's vows. + +"Do you think, Carl," said she, as she concluded her recital, "do you +think he will return?" + +"As certainly as I shall never see the sun rise on St. John's day, for +I saw that in his eye, which assured me he would not break his +promises." + +"Why do you use such an ominous comparison, Carl? Why do you think you +will not see the sunrise on St. John's day?" + +The pain caused by the beginning of Carl's remark, clouded the pure joy +which his concluding words would have otherwise created. + +"I am waiting," said he, "only that I may see the lilacs bloom once +more. In those beautiful flowers I have found my greatest joy." + +Old Mr. Lonner occasionally attempted to prepare his son's mind for the +future which awaited him; but he ceased when one day Carl innocently +addressed him: + +"Father," said he, "I wish you would not talk with me thus. I believe in +our Saviour and his love for us sinners, and as I do not think I have +done much harm--except perhaps when I stole the game--I fear not for the +future. I shall wait patiently until my Saviour chooses to take me to +himself. I can well imagine that there is not much space in heaven; but +I believe that there is a small place for one so insignificant as me, +where I can wait the coming of Magde, Nanna, Father, Ragnar, and all the +little ones, that is if they do not hold me in contempt." + +"How strangely you talk, dear Carl!" said Magde, entering into the +conversation. "You well know that I would like to be near you in +heaven, for you are aware that next to Ragnar I love you more than any +other being on earth." + +"You say so only to make me happy; but I am not so vain as to believe +your words." + +"Is there any one here who displays more love for you than I?" inquired +Magde. + +Carl smiled, and glanced at the wall. There hung a new vest, the pattern +of which Carl examined as carefully as though each thread had been a +painting in itself. + +"Do you think," said he, after a pause, during which his father left the +room, "do you think that Ragnar is vexed with me? He certainly must have +observed that I love you more than, perhaps, I should--I speak frankly +to you, Magde, for I know you are different from others, and I could not +die in peace if I thought that my brother Ragnar was offended with me." + +"Be convinced, my dear Carl, that Ragnar loves you as a brother should. +He saw undoubtedly that no one could please you so well as I; but he +often told me, and especially before his last departure--" + +"What did he say?" inquired Carl, eagerly. + +"'Magde,' said he, 'never desert Carl. He is an honest and faithful +soul, who can find no joy unless with you; but Carl is not the one who +would seek to injure me by word or thought, and therefore I shall not +interfere with his sentiments, but allow him to entertain them freely, +and,' he added, 'you may tell him this at some future time when he may +feel troubled on my account.'" + +"Did he speak thus, assuredly?" + +"He did, I swear it by my hopes of meeting him again." + +"And you have obeyed him, and not deserted me; but will you do so as +long as I am with you here?" + +"Never shall I desert you, Carl." + +"And when the last moment approaches," said he in a soft tone, "you will +moisten my lips, you will smooth my pillow, and when the struggle of +death comes upon me, I wish you to hold my hand in yours, as you now do, +that I may feel that you are with me. Then you must--will you do so, +Magde?--close my eyes with your own hands, and sing a psalm to me." + +To all these touching requests, which were rendered still more affecting +by the tender expression of his eyes, Magde replied tearfully: + +"My dear Carl, your words shall be obeyed." + +Carl smiled. He was now happier at the thought of his approaching death, +which would bring such proofs of Magde's affection, than one who might +have possessed a prospect of a long and luxurious life. + +The lilac bushes blossomed, and Magde placed the first flowers in his +hands while he yet could inhale their fragrance. The last flowers she +strewed upon his grave. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +CONCLUSION. + + +A long season of gloom and despondency succeeded the death of Carl. + +It was fortunate that Ragnar returned home at an earlier period than +usually; the flowers on Carl's grave had not withered when Magde piously +conducted him to his brother's final resting-place. + +"Rest in peace, poor brother," said Ragnar, brushing away a tear, "God +saw best to take you from us--but, dear Magde, you must not grieve too +much for his death, or you will not be able to rejoice at the news I +have for you." + +"What news, Ragnar?" + +"Captain Hanson, who has been master of the brig Sarah Christiana ever +since I have been her mate, has latterly become very much reduced in +health, and he has concluded not to go to sea again." + +"Well, that cannot be joyful news. He was a better captain than perhaps +you will ever sail under again." + +"I shall never sail under another captain. I shall be captain myself, +hereafter. The owners of the vessel have tendered the captaincy to me." + +"Is it possible?" + +"It will soon be more than possible, for my old captain has so well +recommended me, that Mr. Lund has advanced me a sufficient sum of money +to pay the charges of my examination, and as soon as Christmas is +over--for until then I shall study at home--I will take a journey to +prepare myself, and after the examination you will be the wife of a +captain. Then you and Nanna can go with me to Goteborg, that you may see +the vessel before I go to sea." + +Magde quietly clasped her hands. Her pious gratitude was evinced in her +every expression. She thanked her God for having thus favored them with +fortune. + +Ragnar silently embraced her. "I did not say anything about it +yesterday, for I wished to tell you here near Carl, who always placed +his pleasures aside that they might not interfere with yours." + +"Bless you, bless you, Ragnar! I now know why I found so many four +leaved clovers last summer--only think, a captain's wife!--and still you +love me as before?" + +"Now and forever, my Magde. You shall have a bonnet as magnificent as +any other lady; you shall have a cashmere shawl, and a black silk dress. +Yes, I promise you all this, and more." + +"Let us return home quickly, that I may rejoice father and Nanna." + +And Nanna and her father were as much rejoiced at the glad tidings as +was Magde herself. + +A few days afterwards, Magde and her father were seated together in the +parlor consulting about the future. + +"The Lord thus distributes joys and sorrows. One year ago our prospects +were much different." + +"Have I forgotten that time? No! And if I should live a hundred years, I +would never forget the day you were taken from us to prison, nor the day +you were released by Mr. Gottlieb. This year Ragnar must send him the +balance still due him." + +"We can repay him the money; but we can never reward him for his +kindness and love. He has not returned to Almvik, and perhaps it is for +the best, and as Nanna under any circumstance--" + +The old man was suddenly interrupted by a shrill blast from the outside, +which blast was produced by some one blowing upon a blade of grass. + +"Well, well," exclaimed Magde glancing through the window, and then +rushing to the door, "the old proverb is true, 'talk of--'" + +"A certain gentleman and he is here," interrupted Gottlieb, entering the +door with his face beaming with his usual cheerfulness. He presented one +hand to Magde, and the other to old Mr. Lonner, who exclaimed with +glistening eyes: + +"Welcome, welcome, Mr. Gottlieb. Ragnar intended to write you to-day, +and I just told Magde we are able to discharge one part of our debt, but +the other can never be repaid." + +"Enough, enough, good father Lonner, I too was influenced by a selfish +motive--but pardon me, where is Nanna?" + +"She has gone to fish with Ragnar and little Conrad," said Magde, who +had already manufactured an urn of coffee, "but they will soon return." + +"Aha! is Mate Lonner at home. Then I can become acquainted with him." + +"_Captain_ Lonner, next spring at least, Mr. Gottlieb," said Magde, +proudly. + +"Crown Secretary, now, instead of Mr. Gottlieb, if you please, Mrs. +Lonner." + +"So soon?" + +"Yes, eight days ago I received the appointment; but my _great_ fortune +will come next spring, for then I hope to have a little house of my +own." + +"Yes, and perhaps a housekeeper too," added Magde. + +"Possibly." + +At this reply Magde cast a secret glance towards her father, which he +returned. Gottlieb, however, changed the conversation, and commenced +speaking of the death of poor Carl of which he had before been informed. +During the next half hour, Gottlieb evinced the utmost impatience. He +would walk to the window and gaze anxiously towards the lake, not +observing that Magde and her father were exchanging significant glances +and smiles behind his back. + +At length he spied the boat, and he hastened down to the beach. The +skiff contained the brother and sister, and their little companion. + +A sympathetic sentiment seemed to have pervaded the entire family, for +during their excursion Nanna and Ragnar conversed almost entirely about +her young friend Gottlieb. So nicely had Ragnar probed his sister's +heart that he knew almost as much about its true condition as Carl had +previously learned. Although Ragnar would have desired to have believed +as Carl did, he did not think it proper to offer Nanna any further +consolation, than by saying that since he had received a captaincy she +was placed on a more equal footing with Gottlieb and that he would do +everything in his power to render her happy. + +"I know you will, Ragnar," replied Nanna, "but only one thing can ever +afford me happiness." + +After these words the conversation ceased, and the brother and sister +commenced their homeward ride. + +In his great haste Gottlieb nearly ran into the water, in which Ragnar +was standing fastening the boat; but so much was he astonished by the +marvellous change which taken place in Nanna's appearance that he was +forced to start back and gaze silently upon her. Nanna in the meantime +appeared abstracted. She had not observed Gottlieb's approach; but sat +in the boat slowly moving one of the oars, apparently in the deepest +thought. + +But how can we describe Nanna's joyful surprise when she discovered +Gottlieb. Ragnar's presence prevented her from giving vent to her joy in +words; but the joyful expression of her eyes was a more than sufficient +welcome. + +We will not describe the first interview between Ragnar and +Gottlieb--suffice it to say it was the meeting of two brothers; not of +two strangers. Neither will we describe the first hour of _mutual_ +congratulations; but we will at once draw the reader's attention to a +pleasing picture near the fountain in the meadow. Here the two lovers +had proceeded that they might confer with each other uninterrupted. + +"You see, my little nymph, I have come back. Do you think that I have an +honorable spirit and a true heart? Now tell me, have you grown so +beautiful, for me; yes so beautiful that I can well be proud of you as +my own little wife?" + +"Wife! are you then serious?" + +"Serious we shall never be, we will make a third agreement, which is +that we shall live henceforth without a gloomy thought or serious +foreboding. Although we shall marry, as it is said, for 'love in a +cottage,' yet we are both so familiar with the reality of the cottage, +that our romantic dreams, if we have any, will be fully realized." + +"True, very true," said Nanna smiling, and her countenance radiant with +joy, appeared still more beautiful, "and now I am--" + +"--Betrothed," said Gottlieb joyfully embracing her. + +How happy were the inmates of the little cottage that evening! + + * * * * * + +When the news of Gottlieb's betrothal reached Almvik, Mrs. Ulrica +foretold that nothing but evil would result from the wedding. + +Mr. Fabian, however, who secretly esteemed Gottlieb, was silent; but +afterwards when the young couple were firmly united he would hold them +up as examples and say that some men could be happy with a wife who did +not possess riches and station. + +"But that," insisted Mrs. Ulrica, "is no reason why a poor man should +not know to prize the happiness which a wealthy wife could procure for +him." + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Home in the Valley, by Emilie F. 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Carlén. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .toc {margin-left: 20%; font-variant: small-caps; font-weight: bold;} + + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .right10 {text-align: right; margin-right: 10%;} + .right15 {text-align: right; margin-right: 15%;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Home in the Valley, by Emilie F. Carlén + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Home in the Valley + +Author: Emilie F. Carlén + +Translator: Elbert Perce + +Release Date: August 3, 2005 [EBook #16422] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HOME IN THE VALLEY *** + + + + +Produced by Bill Tozier, Barbara Tozier, Sigal Alon and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<table cellpadding="6" summary="Transcriber's Note"> + <tr> + <td> + Transcriber's Note: + </td> + <td> + Some words which appear to be typos or misspelled are printed thus + in the original book. + </td> + </tr> +</table> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1"></a></p> +<h1>THE</h1> +<h1>HOME IN THE VALLEY.<br /><br /></h1> + +<p class="center">BY</p> +<h2>EMILIE F. CARLÉN,<br /></h2> + +<h5>AUTHOR OF "ONE YEAR OF WEDLOCK," "THE WHIMSICAL WOMAN",<br /> +"GUSTAVUS LINDORM," ETC. ETC.<br /><br /></h5> + +<h4>FROM THE ORIGINAL SWEDISH BY<br /><br /> +ELBERT PERCE.<br /><br /></h4> + + +<p class="center">NEW YORK:<br /> +CHARLES SCRIBNER, 145 NASSAU-STREET,<br /></p> +<h3>1854.<br /><br /></h3> + +<p class="center"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2"></a>Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1854, by<br /> +CHARLES SCRIBNER,<br /> +in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the<br /> +Southern District of New York.<br /><br /></p> + + +<p class="center">TOBITT'S COMBINATION-TYPE,<br /> +<i>181 William St.</i> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> +<p class="toc"> +<a href="#PREFACE">Translator's Preface</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_I">Chapter I. The Valley.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_II">Chapter II. The Cottage.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_III">Chapter III. Husband and Wife.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">Chapter IV. The Attic-Rooms.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_V">Chapter V. The First Disappointment.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">Chapter VI. The Agreement.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">Chapter VII. The Chase.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">Chapter VIII. Concerning the Hunter in the Woods, +and his homeward walk.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">Chapter IX. Mr. Fabian and Magde Lonner.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_X">Chapter X. The Truant.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">Chapter XI. The Fisherman.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">Chapter XII. Grief.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">Chapter XIII. The Banishment--The Re-Union.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">Chapter XIV. The Prisoner.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">Chapter XV. Gottlieb on the Watch.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">Chapter XVI. The Festival.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">Chapter XVII. Ragnar.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">Chapter XVIII. An Hour in Mistress Ulrica's Chamber.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">Chapter XIX. Carl.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XX">Chapter XX. Conclusion.</a><br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3"></a><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a>TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE</h2> + + +<p>A few years ago, Mrs. Carlén was comparatively unknown to +readers in this country; but the marked success which followed +the publication of "One Year of Wedlock" encouraged the translator +in the endeavor to present that lady's works to the American +public.</p> + +<p>In her writings Mrs. Carlén exhibits a versatility which may +be considered remarkable. While in one book she revels in +descriptions of home-scenes and characters, in another she presents +her readers with events and incidents that bear a strong +<a name="Page_4" id="Page_4"></a>resemblance to the startling and melo-dramatic productions of +many of the modern romance writers of France.</p> + +<p>This peculiarity, however, may be accounted for by the fact +that she writes—as she herself confesses—entirely from impulse.</p> + +<p>When her mind is clouded by sorrow—and she has been +oppressed with many bitter griefs—she seeks to remove the cause +of her despondency by creating a hero or heroine, afflicted like +herself, and following this individual through a train of circumstances +which, she imagines, would naturally occur during a life +of continued gloom and sorrow.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, when life appears bright and beautiful to +her, then she tells a tale of joy; a story of domestic life, for where +does pure happiness exist except at the fireside at home?</p> + +<p>It must have been during one of these bright intervals of her +life that Mrs. Carlén wrote "The Home in the Valley," for the +work is a continued description of the delights of home, which, +although occasionally obscured by grief, and in some instances, by +folly, are rendered still more precious by their brief absence.</p> + +<p><i>New York</i>, August 15th, 1854.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Valley.</span></h3> + + +<p>In one of father La Fontaine's books, may be found a +description of a lovely valley, the residence of a beautiful +and modest maiden, and of the heroine of this Arcadia he +writes:</p> + +<p>"There stands our heroine, as lovely as the valley, her +home, and as virtuous and good as her mother, who has +devoted a lifetime to the education of her daughter."</p> + +<p>But with the history of this maiden he weaves the workings +of an evil genius, which in the end is triumphant; for +even the pure are contaminated after they arrive at that +period when they consider that vice has its virtues.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6"></a>Our story is located near the beautiful Lake Wenner, in +a valley which much resembles that described by La Fontaine. +As we enter this valley, the first object that meets +our view is a small red-colored cottage. A vine twines +itself gracefully over one of the windows, the glass panes +of which glisten through the green leaves, which slightly +parted, disclose the sober visage of an ancient black cat, +that is demurely looking forth upon the door yard. She +has chosen a sunny spot on the window sill, for the cheering +beams of the sun are as grateful to a cat, as is the +genial warmth of the stove to an old man, when winter has +resumed his sway upon earth. If we should enter the +cottage, we would in all probability find the proprietor of +the little estate seated in his old arm-chair, while his daughter-in-law—but +more of this anon.</p> + +<p>From the cottage the ground descended in a slight +slope, which terminated in a white sandy beach at the margin +of the lake. Near the beach were fastened the small +skiffs, which swayed to and fro amongst the rushes, where +the children delighted to sail their miniature ships. From +the rear of the house the little valley extended itself in +undulating fields and meadows, interspersed with barren +hillocks and thrifty potato patches. In the fields could be +heard the tinkling of the cow-bells, the bleating of lambs, +and the barking of a dog as he gathered together his little +flock. Carlo was a fortunate dog, for the farm was so +<a name="Page_7" id="Page_7"></a>small that he could keep his entire charge within sight at +all times.</p> + +<p>Near the centre of the valley stood a large tree, the +widely spread branches of which shaded a spring, which +gushed forth from beneath a huge moss-covered stone. +This was the favorite place of resort of a beautiful maiden, +who might be seen almost every summer evening +reclining upon the moss that bordered the verge of the +spring.</p> + +<p>"There stands our heroine, as lovely as the valley, her +home, and as virtuous and good as her mother, who has +devoted a lifetime to the education of her daughter."</p> + +<p>But many years before the date of our story, Nanna had +lost the protection of her beloved mother; yet the loss +had been partially supplied by her sister-in-law, who occupied +the places of a kind mother, a gentle sister, and a +faithful friend.</p> + +<p>Nanna was now in her sixteenth year; but to all appearances +she was much younger. Unlike others of her years, +her cheeks did not display the bloom of maidenhood, and +her countenance lacked the vivacity natural to her age. +Her features wore an expression of melancholy, which +was perfectly in keeping with the pallor of her cheeks, the +pearly whiteness of which vied in brilliancy with the hue +of a lily.</p> + +<p>Nanna was the child of poverty, and belonged to that +class of beings, who, situated between riches and nobility +<a name="Page_8" id="Page_8"></a>on the one hand, and poverty on the other, are considered +as upstarts by the wealthy as well as the poor.</p> + +<p>Nanna's father, when young, was placed in an entirely +different position of life than that in which we now find +him. An illegitimate son, he entered the world with a borrowed +title, but with fair prospects for the future; for his +father, a man of consequence and wealth, intended to +marry his mother, and thus the son would bear no longer +the stigma of his father's crime. But death, who in this +case had been forgotten, suddenly cut the thread of his +father's life, and the mother and son were driven forth from +the house of their protector, deprived of honor, wealth, +and station.</p> + +<p>This is an old, very old and thread-bare story, and not +more novel is that which generally follows. First comes +melancholy, then great exertions on the part of the injured +party; next dashed hope, and finally gloomy resignation.</p> + +<p>The mother died, the son lived to pass through the life +we have above described, but which was ended, however, +by matrimony. He married after he had passed his fortieth +year.</p> + +<p>Before his marriage, Carl Lonner passed through the +various gradations in society, from the nobleman to the +simple gentleman. He supported himself by revenues he +derived from a small business, and by drawing up legal +papers for the surrounding peasantry and fishermen. For +<a name="Page_9" id="Page_9"></a>a wife he had chosen the daughter of a half pay sergeant, +and in this case his fortunate star was in the ascendant, +for she not only brought him a loving heart, but also the +little farm on which he resided at the date of our story.</p> + +<p>We will now, however, turn our attentions to Nanna, +who is sitting beneath the tree near the spring, in which +she has been bathing her feet.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>As Nanna glanced into the clear water of the spring, +she shuddered convulsively, although the air was warm, +for it was a June evening, but it was a shudder from +within that shook her slight form. Nanna had lately perceived +that her dear sister-in-law, Magde, when she +thought herself unseen, had shed tears, and the poor girl's +heart beat with a sensation of undefined fear, for when +Magde weeps, thought she, there must have been a great +cause.</p> + +<p>"Why is the world so formed as it is? Some flowers +are so modest and little that they would be trodden under +foot unless great care is taken, while others elevate their +great and gaudy heads above the grass. The latter are +the rich, while the little down-trodden blossoms are the +poor. And so it is with even the birds! one is greater +than the other, and mankind is not behind them. We belong +to the poor; there," she continued, turning her deep +eyes towards a distant point in the horizon, on the other +<a name="Page_10" id="Page_10"></a>side of the lake, "there lives the rich; they take no notice +of us. Even the poor fishermen and peasants say, 'Our +children cannot be the play-fellows of Mademoiselle +Nanna.' Mademoiselle, Mademoiselle," she repeated +slowly, "it is shameful to call me so! and how much +better it would be to call Magde good mother, than to +give her the title of My Lady! To be poor is not so bad, +but to be friendless is bitter indeed."</p> + +<p>As she thus sat, with her eyes fixed mournfully upon the +distant object which was the roof of an elegant house, +which was barely visible over the brow of a hill, she was +startled by the noise of approaching footsteps. She had +scarcely cast her mantle over her white shoulders, which +she had uncovered during her ablutions, when, to her great +astonishment, she discovered a stranger rapidly approaching +towards her. He was clothed in a light frock coat; a +knapsack was fastened upon his shoulders, and in his hand +he swung a knotted stick. Nanna had never before beheld +a personage who resembled the stranger. His face, +browned in the sun, until it resembled that of a gipsy, +wore an honest and frank expression, and his dark curling +hair, which fell in thick clusters from his black felt hat, +added to the pleasing aspect of his countenance.</p> + +<p>Nanna, who at her first glance at the youth, had thought +him a gipsy, which wild tribe she greatly feared, was reassured +by a second look.</p> + +<p>The stranger, on his side, appeared greatly astonished at +<a name="Page_11" id="Page_11"></a>the sudden appearance of the beautiful water nymph, for +such a goddess Nanna much resembled, as she stood, with +her garments flowing gracefully around her slight figure; +her tiny white feet playing with the moist grass, and her +pale and mournful face, encircled with golden locks, that +fell negligently upon her white and well rounded +shoulders.</p> + +<p>The youth thus addressed her:</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, lovely naiad. It appears that I have +taken the wrong path, although I supposed that I had +chosen the right direction."</p> + +<p>"Whither are you going?" inquired Nanna, in a voice +sweet and melodious.</p> + +<p>"To Almvik," replied the stranger.</p> + +<p>"Alas!" said the maid, casting a peculiar glance at his +knapsack, "I hoped that you were not a member of the +aristocracy."</p> + +<p>"Oh, my little sylph, for I know not what else to call +you, is my face so poor a recommendation, that I cannot +be considered a man because I carry a pack on my +back?"</p> + +<p>"Are those of noble birth the only men?" inquired +Nanna, and a gloomy expression fell upon her lips, which +a moment before had been illumined with a sunny smile.</p> + +<p>"Ah," replied the youth, "the longer I gaze upon your +dear face, the more I esteem you. Far be it from me to +wound your sensitive nature. If it will comfort you, I +<a name="Page_12" id="Page_12"></a>will say that no man can long more earnestly than I do for +the time when all mankind shall be equal."</p> + +<p>"Do you speak from your heart?"</p> + +<p>"I do, earnestly; but tell me your name."</p> + +<p>"Nanna, Nanna of the Valley, I am called."</p> + +<p>"That is poetical; but have you no other name?"</p> + +<p>"I am sometimes called Mademoiselle Nanna; but that +grieves me, for we are poor people."</p> + +<p>"Ah! I thought that you were something more than a +peasant girl. Pardon me, I have spoken too familiarly. I +knew not your station."</p> + +<p>"Familiarly!"</p> + +<p>"I addressed you too warmly."</p> + +<p>"Your words sounded well when you thus spoke."</p> + +<p>"Possibly; but henceforth I shall address you as Mademoiselle +Nanna."</p> + +<p>"Shall we then see each other again?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, quite probably—we are to be neighbors."</p> + +<p>"You intend, then, to reside at Almvik?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, for a few weeks, perhaps during the whole summer; +but I pray you come with me a few steps on my +road, I need your guidance."</p> + +<p>Nanna sprang to her feet, and as she stood before the +young man, her eyes sparkling with unusual brilliancy, her +garments falling in graceful folds over her sylph-like limbs, +he gazed at her as if enchained by her almost superhuman +beauty. To the youthful stranger's request she answered +<a name="Page_13" id="Page_13"></a>by putting her little white feet in such active motion, +that they seemed to tread upon the air instead of the +green sward.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Cottage.</span></h3> + + +<p>The interior of the little building to which we now turn, +was thus arranged: The ground floor was divided into a +kitchen and three other apartments, viz:—a middle sized +room, by favor called the parlor, in which was generally +the dwelling place of the family, and a small chamber on +either side of the parlor. One of these was the bed-chamber +of Carl Lonner, and the other was occupied by his +eldest son and his wife.</p> + +<p>The upper story, that is, the attic, contained two divisions, +and the sole dominion of these airy apartments was +granted to two younger members of the family; the front +<a name="Page_15" id="Page_15"></a>room belonging to Nanna, and the other to her brother +Carl, known in the neighborhood by the nick-name of +"Wiseacre," and under certain circumstances as "Crazy +Carl," although it would have been difficult to find throughout +the entire neighborhood a personage wiser than honest +Carl.</p> + +<p>Throughout the entire building the marks of poverty +were plainly evident; but at the same time each object +presented a tidy and cleanly appearance and although the +cottage lacked many luxuries, still comfort seemed to +reign supreme. The rush covered floor; the table, polished +to brightness; and the flower vases, filled with odorous +boquets of lilacs, the neat window curtains, the handicraft +of Nanna, the crimson sofa curtain, embroidered by the +thrifty Magde, all combined, proved that the inmates of +the cottage, had not only the taste, but also the inclination +to render home pleasant even under the most adverse circumstances.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>At the time that Nanna had started forth as a guide +to the youthful stranger, old Mr. Lonner was seated near +the side of his bed in his private apartment. Although +weighed down by age and the grief that had oppressed his +early life, he nevertheless possessed that gentleness and +sociability, which had ever been the characteristic +traits of his life. His flowing white locks fell around his +<a name="Page_16" id="Page_16"></a>countenance, from which the traces of manly beauty had +not been entirely eradicated, and as he smoked his pipe +with an air of dignified pleasure, he would occasionally +glance towards a young matron, who, seated in a large +arm chair, was reading aloud a letter to him.</p> + +<p>The letter bore the postmark of Goteborg, and was written +by the old man's eldest son, Ragnar Lonner, the +husband of the matron. He was mate of a trading vessel, +and three months before had bidden farewell to his wife +and family. As she continued reading the letter, three +children who had been playing, commenced a little dispute +about the proprietorship of a large apple. In an opposite +corner Carl had stationed himself. He was a full grown +youth with a face bearing an expression of mingled silliness +and wisdom.—As he glanced from under his long hair, +first at the bed-quilt, then at the quarrelling children, he +paid close attention to all that his sister-in-law was reading +aloud. Carl was not the simpleton people considered him, +although his highest ambition appeared to consist in erecting +dirt houses and making mud-pies.</p> + +<p>"Magde," said the old man, casting a glance of affection +upon the vivacious Magdalena. "You had better +read that letter again. Ragnar is a son who has his +heart in the right place."</p> + +<p>"And a husband too!" added Magde, and a flush of +joyful pride overspread her blooming cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and a brother also; read the letter once more, it +<a name="Page_17" id="Page_17"></a>will be none the less pleasant to read it a third time when +Nanna returns."</p> + +<p>Magde, who had not refolded the letter, commenced +reading again, and her voice trembled with pride and +emotion as she read as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Beloved Magde:</p> + +<p>"When you shall break the seal of this letter, I feel +assured that you will wish you possessed wings that you +might be enabled to fly to your loving husband. And as +I think I see you approaching me through the air, surrounded +by our little angels,—may God protect them,—the +tears start to my eyes, tears which no man should be +ashamed to shed, and I feel an inward desire to hasten to +meet you.</p> + +<p>"But now, dear Magde, I must control my thoughts, +and so direct them to you, that they shall prove intelligible. +I arrived, on the eighth day of this month, at Goteborg, +in safety and in good health. I hope our father is +well and capable of enjoying as usual, the balmy air and +bright verdure of summer.</p> + +<p>"Our little cottage is a pleasant residence, in spite of all +its disadvantages, and I feel assured that both yourself +and Nanna do all that lies in your power to cheer our +mutual parent, when he is sick and dispirited.</p> + +<p>"One night while our vessel was lying in the canal, I was +visited by an evil dream, but dreams are empty and meaningless, +<a name="Page_18" id="Page_18"></a>and I hope that no more of my disagreeable fancies +will be realized than that you at home, may experience a +little anxiety and solicitude concerning the welfare of the +absent one.</p> + +<p>"The Spring of the year is always the most severe season, +for winter consumes the harvest of the preceding +summer.</p> + +<p>"Well, we have many mouths to feed—God protect +our children.—When they are older they will work for us. +It was my intention to send you a small sum of money in +this letter; but I was obliged to wait until Jon Jonson, +who is here at present with his sloop, shall commence his +homeward voyage, for I can place no dependence upon +young Rask to whom I am obliged to entrust this letter, +as he might be tempted on his way to the post office to +enter a beer-house, and there lose the money. I am forced +to send Rask to the office, as I am obliged to remain on +the vessel until it is unloaded.</p> + +<p>"I will tell you in advance that I shall not be able to +send you a large amount of money; but instead of that, I +shall forward you when Jonson returns, a quantity of +foreign goods which I have been fortunate enough to purchase +and to place on board his sloop without paying the +duty, which you know is heavy. It consists of sugar, +coffee, tobacco, cotton yarn, and a package of silks.</p> + +<p>"You, my dear wife, must select the best, a silk shawl +which you will find in the package. Nanna may have the +<a name="Page_19" id="Page_19"></a>next best shawl, and you may give Carl the blue handkerchief +which is at the bottom of the parcel. I have not +forgotten father. I shall send him a small cask of liquor, +and in the parcel of silks you will find a bundle of toys +for the children.</p> + +<p>"You cannot imagine—but still you must—how pleasant +it is to deprive oneself of luxuries that you may provide +for the wants of those whom you have left at home.</p> + +<p>"My ship-mates frequently say that I am severe towards +them when at sea, perhaps I am; but it grieves me when +I see those noble men, so skillful in the management of +our vessel, lavish their money when on shore in foolish +pleasures. They have as great reason to be economical +as I have myself, and I cannot resist from occasionally +censuring them, and therefore I may not appear so kind to +them as I am to you when at home, or while I am writing +this letter. Although all my efforts may be fruitless, still +I feel assured that there is not one man amongst them +who would not peril his existence to rescue 'the tiger,' as +they call me, from any danger. They well know that I +would not stop to think, but would spring into the ocean +at once, if it was necessary, to rescue them.</p> + +<p>"But, my dear Magde, a word in confidence. I am +neither as wise or as well educated as my father was in +his younger days, yet I would not wound your feelings +either by word or action; but I must inform you that a +rumor has reached my ears about a certain man, whose +<a name="Page_20" id="Page_20"></a>neck I once would have twisted willingly, because, when +in church, he looked at you oftener than he did at the +minister.</p> + +<p>"But if, when I return, I discover that that villain from +Almvik has been poaching on my grounds, he must look +to safety. In you, Magde, I can place all confidence, and +shall therefore say nothing further. And now farewell. +Remember me firstly to my father, and then to my sister, +and my children.</p></div> + +<p class="right15">"Your faithful husband,</p> +<p class="right10 smcap">"Ragnar Lonner.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"P.S. During the soft moonlight nights, when on my +watch, I see your form, dear Magde, bright and beautiful, +as I look over the wake of the vessel. And when the +night is dark and cloudy, I see you sitting by my side, the +binnacle light shining upon your pleasant face, which is +illumined with smiles as I gaze upon little Conrad, whom I +imagine a fine full grown lad, climbing the shrouds with +all the eagerness of a competent sailor. But, belay, +otherwise my letter will be under sail again."</p></div> + +<p>When Magde read the portion of her husband's letter +which he had intended as confidential, her voice trembled +as it did when she had first read the letter.</p> + +<p>"It would have been my desire," said she, "that Ragnar +had sent the money in the letter. It has been more +than three weeks, dear father, since you have partaken of +<a name="Page_21" id="Page_21"></a>other food than fish, bread and potatoes. Ah! I wish we +had a quarter of beef!"</p> + +<p>"O, stop your prating, child! Fish is very good food +indeed."</p> + +<p>"But not strengthening. How delicious it would be if +we only had a partridge, or even a rabbit. Certainly they +would not cost much! But who dare think of such luxuries? +All delicacies must be sent to Almvik."</p> + +<p>"God grant that we may have nothing worse to expect +from Almvik, than that they should prevent us from enjoying +luxuries that poor people cannot expect to procure."</p> + +<p>"O, that is not my opinion. In winter-time, when Ragnar +is at home, he procures us many a savory dish with +his gun."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I think that if Ragnar has disturbed the +hunting grounds of Almvik, he may consider himself fortunate +if the proprietor has not poached upon his own +premises in return. The affairs of Almvik are far differently +conducted than they were formerly, under the sway +of the ancient proprietor."</p> + +<p>During their conversation the old man and Magde had +taken no notice of Carl, who, while he listened to their +words, contorted his face in such a manner that it would +have been difficult to decide whether he was laughing or +crying. He placed his hands over his face; but between +his fingers his eyes could be seen peering out with a peculiar +expression at Magde.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22"></a>"I will no longer feign ignorance of your meaning, +father," replied Magde, with a visible effort to suppress +her anger. "It is true that in words, and even in actions, +he has conducted himself with more presumption than he +would have dared to assume last winter; but fear not, I +well know how to protect the honor of my name."</p> + +<p>"And as you thus speak you vainly endeavor to conceal +your emotions," said the old man suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"Do not think that he has endeavored to plant his snare +for a simple dove. When he would snatch his prize, he +may learn that I possess both beak and talons."</p> + +<p>"Well, my child," replied Mr. Lonner, with a laugh, +"it is a fortunate chance that you are the daughter of a +father who was a man of the world; but your birth entitled +you to a higher position in life than that which you +now occupy."</p> + +<p>"You speak strangely, father."</p> + +<p>"Why, you might have married Mr. Trystedt who possessed +riches and lands, while now you live in absolute +poverty."</p> + +<p>"Why should you think of that? Is it not better to +live in poverty with love, than to possess untold riches +without love? Does the whole earth contain a better husband +than my Ragnar? Is he not a skillful sailor? I have +no doubt but that had he not been married he would long +ago have been promoted to a captaincy. He is a thousand +<a name="Page_23" id="Page_23"></a>times more of a gentleman, at any time, than that old +Trystedt, who was a torment to all he whom he met."</p> + +<p>"Thank God! If you are satisfied, then all is right, +and even if we are at present in straightened circumstances +all will be made right when Jonson arrives. I hope +that he will be careful of the goods entrusted to him."</p> + +<p>A slight noise in an adjoining room, notified the mother +that her infant child had awakened. She instantly arose +and left the apartment. Magde was a dignified and elegant +woman, although her countenance was pleasing +rather than beautiful, and as she moved towards the door +the old man's eyes followed her with a gaze of admiration +and love.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Husband and Wife.</span></h3> + + +<p>About a half a mile from the valley—the name of which +we shall conceal, as many personages who are to play a +part in our little story are still living—was situated the +estate of Almvik, which the present proprietor Fabian +H——, had purchased one year before, and had immediately +removed thither with his family.</p> + +<p>Mr. H——, and above all his puissant wife Mistress +Ulrica Eugenia, her proper name, but which she had afterwards +tortured into the more refined patronymic, Ulrique +Eugenie—were individuals who moved in the higher +<a name="Page_25" id="Page_25"></a>classes of society, at least he who should endeavor to +prove to the contrary would find the task a thankless one.</p> + +<p>Mr. Fabian H——, imagined himself a second Brutus, +that is to say; he was fully convinced that the time would +certainly arrive when he should arouse himself from his +present listlessness; when he should be released from the +thraldom of his wife, and awaken to renewed strength and +vigor. But it was much to be feared that poor Brutus +never would realize his bright anticipations of liberty.</p> + +<p>Mistress Ulrica Eugenia was characterized by a strong +desire to assist in the work of emancipating women from +the tyranny of men, and that she might forward the good +work she had entirely set at naught the command that a +wife should obey her husband; she openly declared that +the ancient law which compelled the woman to subserve to +the man, was but a concoction of man himself, that the +Bible itself never contained such an absurd command, but +that the translators, who she triumphantly affirmed were +men, had placed that law in the scripture, merely to suit +their own selfish ends. She also affirmed that she would +stake her life upon the issue that she would not find, even +if she should search the scriptures through, such an +absurd command. And she was right. <i>She</i> would not +find it.</p> + +<p>In the immediate neighborhood of Almvik, Mr. H—— was +reverenced as a wealthy nobleman, and a man of +power. He wished to be considered a hospitable man, +<a name="Page_26" id="Page_26"></a>and frequently rejoiced his neighbors with invitations to +visit his beautiful estate. To him strangers were godsends. +He entertained them to the best of his ability, +invited the neighbors to see them, and although his little +soirees were very pleasant, still, as the guests were drawn +from all classes of society, many amusing scenes were +enacted, in all of which, Mistress Ulrica Eugenia performed +a prominent and independent part.</p> + +<p>Although Mrs. Ulrica had liberated herself from all +obedience to her legal master, and had in fact assumed +the reins of government herself, she nevertheless possessed +some, if not a great deal of affection for the rosy cheeks and +sleepy eyes of her husband, and at the same time she kept +a watchful eye upon those whom she suspected of partaking +with her in this sentiment. Not only was Mrs. H—— occasionally +aggravated by the pangs of jealousy, but she +was also tormented by the thought that her husband entirely +confided in her own fidelity, thus at once cutting off +the possibility of a love quarrel and a reconciliation.</p> + +<p>Upon the evening when we first made the personal +acquaintance of the inmates of Almvik, Mr. H—— and +his wife were riding out in their gig; for in the morning +they rode in a light hunting wagon, and at noon they used +the large family coach.</p> + +<p>Mr. H——, immediately before starting forth on the +ride had received a severe lecture from his spouse, because +he indulged in an afternoon's nap, instead of devising +<a name="Page_27" id="Page_27"></a>means for the amusement of the family, that is, of the +worthy dame herself, and their only treasure, the little +Eugene Ulrich, and Mr. H——, we say, never felt inclined +for sprightly conversation after such a lecture.</p> + +<p>He well knew that he would be obliged to succumb in +everything; but like a stubborn boy, who is punished by +being compelled to stand in a corner until shame forces +him to submit, Mr. H—— determined, to speak figuratively—to +stand silently in that corner the entire day rather than +to acknowledge himself conquered.</p> + +<p>That was, at least, one point gained, towards his emancipation. +It cannot but be supposed, however, that, if the +lecture had been upon any other subject less trivial than +the mere act of sleeping, Mr. H—— would have undoubtedly +acted in an entirely different manner. At least that +is the only excuse we can find for his conduct on this +occasion.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Mistress Ulrica, straightening herself up +in her seat with the utmost dignity, "upon my honor, Mr. +H——, you are a <i>very</i> agreeable companion."</p> + +<p>"I am obliged to be careful while driving."</p> + +<p>"Is it necessary that you should sit there as dumb as a +fence post?"</p> + +<p>No reply.</p> + +<p>"Well, I must say that your sulkiness is not to be +envied. Suppose some one should see us—I mean you—why +<a name="Page_28" id="Page_28"></a>they would readily believe that your wife was an old +woman."</p> + +<p>"Now, now, my dear Ulrique Eugenie, don't—"</p> + +<p>"Your dear Ulrique Eugenie is not yet thirty eight +years old, and even though you are two years younger, I +do not think that should make any difference."</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, on the contrary," grumbled her husband, +chuckling inwardly.</p> + +<p>"I do not know but what your words have a double +meaning; but Fabian, <i>we</i> must not quarrel, let us become +reconciled, there is my hand."</p> + +<p>"Your heart ever overflows with the milk of human +kindness, my dear," said he.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, my dear husband,—but can you imagine +what I really intended to say?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed I cannot."</p> + +<p>"I intended to say, should you ever cast your eyes +upon another—"</p> + +<p>"God forbid!"</p> + +<p>"You may well say God forbid, am I not your wife, +who will not allow her rights to be trodden under foot?"</p> + +<p>"Am I not aware of that?"</p> + +<p>"Even if you are, my dear, there is no harm in my +saying that if I should discover the slightest cause which +would arouse my suspicion I would scratch out your +eyes!"</p> + +<p>"Sweet <i>Ulgenie</i>!"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29"></a><i>Ulgenie</i>, a word which the reader will observe, is compounded +from the words Ulrica and Eugenie, was one of +those contorted terms of endearment, which Mrs. H—— permitted +her husband to use during their moments of tenderness. +Should he wish to address her in an extremely +affectionate manner, he would term her his "pet Ulte," +an expression which had also originated in the fertile mind +of the loving wife!</p> + +<p>On this occasion the husband considered the first expression +sufficiently affectionate, and in all probability many +tender recollections were associated with those three +syllables, for no sooner had he uttered the name "Ulgenie," +than she cast her eyes downward with an unusual +gentle expression, and in a changed tone of voice, she whispered:—</p> + +<p>"Never again my dearest husband shall we differ in our +opinions. Equality in marriage renders it a useful institution; +but to change the subject, it is long since you +have made any hunting excursions, dear Fabian, to-morrow +you must go."</p> + +<p>As Mistress Ulrica was determined that her husband +should become a skillful sportsman, she gave him rest +neither night nor day, unless he devoted at least two days +of the week to hunting or fishing excursions. Not that +Mr. H—— was a sportsman; but that it afforded his wife +great pleasure to inform her guests, that a certain moorcock +was killed by her dear Fabian, or that he had caught +<a name="Page_30" id="Page_30"></a>the pike which then graced their table, for, she would add +complacently, her Fabian was well aware that she took +great delight in eating the game taken by his skillful +hand.</p> + +<p>Therefore there were no means of escape for him, he +must by force become a sportsman, for a wife who is laboring +for the emancipation of womankind, never will permit her +desires to remain ungratified. During the conversation +the vehicle approached the mansion. Mr. Fabian H——, +during the entire ride, had thought upon the pipe and sofa +which awaited him upon his return, for he smoked like a +Turk, and loved the ease of oriental life. There was one +pursuit, however, which afforded him still greater pleasure, +and that was to ogle other men's wives, for he was +an unfortunate son of Adam, never being able to discover +beauties which his wife might have possessed.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>"Who can that be!" exclaimed Mistress Ulrica Eugenia +as the gig entered the court-yard, "who is that elegant +young man descending the door steps? is it possible that +he is my nephew little Gottlieb?"</p> + +<p>"Yes he is, my dear Aunt Ulrica, I was little Gottlieb, +but I have grown up to be big Gottlieb," answered a cheerful +voice, and the next moment the young man whose +acquaintance we have before made, embraced the lady +warmly, and then heartily shook his uncle's extended hand.<a name="Page_31" id="Page_31"></a> +Uncle Fabian however, was not overjoyed at his wife's +determination of introducing into his house a stripling who +might perhaps become a spy upon his actions and make +reports that would call forth the entire vigor of his wife's +tongue.</p> + +<p>After the first torrent of welcomings, questions and +answers,—for Mr. H—— did not dare do otherwise than +to cordially welcome his guest—had subsided, and the +family had entered the dining room, and the hostess had +pressed the acceptance of a third cup of tea upon the +young man, who was already sufficiently heated without +undergoing this ordeal; she thus addressed him:—</p> + +<p>"Now, my dear little Gottlieb, you look remarkably +well, you little rogue. Is it really true that you have +made this long journey to see us on foot?"</p> + +<p>"It is indeed true; this green coat is my usual costume +when I do not wear a blouse, which is my favorite garment. +My better apparel is contained within my knapsack, +and thus I have given you an invoice of my wardrobe, +which you see, my dear aunt, is not very extensive."</p> + +<p>"But your under-clothes, my child?"</p> + +<p>"What, under-clothes, do you think I could give my +dear uncle so much trouble as to bring linen clothes with +me?"</p> + +<p>"What a careless fellow you are!"</p> + +<p>"'You have now,' said my mother, when I took my +<a name="Page_32" id="Page_32"></a>leave, 'you have now four rare pieces of linen, styled +shirts; but when you return, you must travel by steam, +for you will undoubtedly possess twenty-four!'"</p> + +<p>"Ah!" replied his aunt, with a smile, "I understand +you now."</p> + +<p>"How do you understand me?" inquired Gottlieb.</p> + +<p>"As belonging to that class of persons, sir, who never +find themselves at a loss," replied uncle Fabian, in a tone +of voice which he intended should be overwhelming.</p> + +<p>Gottlieb, however, was not inclined to be thus easily +driven from the field. "You have hit the nail upon the +head," said he, with an assumed expression of respect for +the decision of his uncle, "and it is by the means of that +very trait of character which you have mentioned, that I +hope to work myself through the world, although I am +only the son of a poor secretary in a government office, +who is embarrassed by debt and a large family, thus you +perceive I cannot depend solely upon the whims of +fortune."</p> + +<p>"What then are your prospects for the future?" inquired +the lady seriously.</p> + +<p>"I have but one," replied Gottlieb.</p> + +<p>"And what is that?"</p> + +<p>"My plan is very simple, I have thoroughly studied +financial matters, and in the fall intend to help my father +in his office, so that he can spare the services of his two +assistants. He will then have only one salary to pay; but<a name="Page_33" id="Page_33"></a> +I think that I can do the work of three, and as I intend to +become a model of order, capability and energy, I hope to +be able to win the favor of the head of the treasury +department, so that when my father, who at present is in a +very feeble state of health, shall be obliged to resign, I may +be appointed in his stead. This is my plan."</p> + +<p>"You are a shrewd young man," said Mistress Ulrica.</p> + +<p>"It is not necessary to be shrewd when the high road is +plain before you."</p> + +<p>"But at least you must possess sufficient knowledge of +the world to prevent you, in your youth, from leaving the +high road, and wasting your time in useless dreaming."</p> + +<p>"Of dreaming, he who has nothing but his head and +hands to depend on, must not be afraid. If one wishes to +enjoy pleasant dreams, he must not trouble his head about +that which he is to eat when he awakes."</p> + +<p>"Good! good!" exclaimed Ulrica, "I hope that your +wise plans will succeed, and I do not doubt but what they +will, they are so well laid, and aside from that you are not +striving for yourself alone, but for your parents, to whom +I am sure you will always prove a dutiful and grateful +child."</p> + +<p>"That is why I should become my father's successor, +dear aunt. Had I not thought of this plan, I would undoubtedly +have formed some other; but with this I am +satisfied."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34"></a>"And do you intend to afford us the pleasure of your +company this summer?" inquired uncle Fabian, abruptly.</p> + +<p>"With your permission, dear uncle, your invitation +arrived at a lucky moment, as it came during my vacation."</p> + +<p>"Well, well, nephew," said Mrs. Ulrica, "we will go +and prepare a chamber for you."</p> + +<p>"Nephew, nephew," exclaimed Gottlieb, merrily, "why +we look more like cousins!"</p> + +<p>"You are a little wag!"</p> + +<p>"O, I must say more. My mother might have been +your mother also, from all appearances."</p> + +<p>"Ah, I was a mere girl when she was married. She +was the eldest while I was the youngest of the family, and +the fourteen years discrepancy between our ages accounts +for the differences in our appearance."</p> + +<p>"And riches and fortune also," added Gottlieb; "poor +mother, misfortune has always been her lot; and although +she has much trouble, she has nevertheless an angel's forbearance."</p> + +<p>"Her disposition resembles mine more than her person +does," said Mrs. H——, casting a glance of tender inquiry +upon her husband.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my dear," replied he, "your angelic disposition +and patience are well known."</p> + +<p>He well understood the smile with which his wife had +accompanied her words.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35"></a>"Good Fabian, you know how to appreciate your +wife!"</p> + +<p>"Sweet Ulgenie!"</p> + +<p>Gottlieb glanced from his aunt to his uncle.</p> + +<p>"Strange people these," thought he. "I think they are +playing bo-peep with each other, or perhaps they are blinding +me; well, I care not; so long as they do not disturb +me, I will not meddle with their affairs."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Attic-Rooms.</span></h3> + + +<p>As we have before stated, Nanna had supreme control +over one of the attic-rooms of the cottage, and for a long +time it had been a sanctuary in which she stored her precious +things.</p> + +<p>Old Mr. Lonner loved Nanna as the apple of his eye. +She was not only the youngest child, and consequently the +favorite, but she also possessed strong perceptive qualities, +and a heart susceptible of the tenderest emotions. +She was, so to speak, a living emblem of those harmonious +dreams that her father in his youth had hoped to see +realized.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37"></a>The pale and delicate countenance of Nanna, who he +thought was destined in all probability to droop and die +like a water lily, which she so much resembled, carried the +old man's mind back to the time when his father had +promised to wed his mother, and he sighed as he thought +how different Nanna's station in life would have been had +that promise been fulfilled. Instead of neglect and insult, +homage from all would have been her portion.</p> + +<p>Yet Nanna was the pride and joy of her father's heart, +for Ragnar, who at an early age was obliged to labor for +his own support, had preferred to become a sailor, rather +than to acquire a refined education, and Carl could scarcely +comprehend more than that which was necessary for +the performance of family worship. Nanna, on the contrary, +would listen to her father with the utmost pleasure and +interest as he related and explained matters and things +which were entirely novel to one placed in her position of +life.</p> + +<p>And then, with what eagerness would Nanna read those +few books with which her father's little library was supplied! +She fully comprehended all she read, and she could +not resist from becoming gently interested in the characters +described in her books. She sympathised with the +unhappy and oppressed, and although she rejoiced with +those happy heroes and heroines who had passed safely +through the ordeals of their loves, yet when she read of +<a name="Page_38" id="Page_38"></a>the fortunate conclusion of all their troubles, she would +sigh deeply.</p> + +<p>But after sighing for those who <i>had</i> lived, she sighed +also for the <i>living</i>.</p> + +<p>She looked forward, with terror, to the day when she +should lose her father, whom she worshipped almost as a +supreme being.</p> + +<p>Her innocent heart shrunk within her as she thought +of the time when a man,—for these thoughts had already +entered her little head—should look into her eyes in search +of a wife. Who shall that man be? she thought. Is it +possible that he can be any other than a peasant or a fisherman? +Perhaps he may be even worse; a common day-laborer +of the parish.</p> + +<p>O, that would be impossible!</p> + +<p>Such a rude uncouth husband would prove her death. +How could she entertain the same thoughts, after her +marriage with such a boor, as she had before? He could +never sympathise with her. No, she would be obliged to +remain unmarried for ever. Perhaps not even a laborer +would wed her! On St. John's eve, when she had ventured +to attend the ball, did any body request her to dance? +No, not one, no, they only gazed at Mademoiselle Nanna, +with a stupid and imbecile stare—<i>she</i> did not belong to +their class.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39"></a>The next evening after Nanna had encountered the young +stranger near the spring, she was seated alone in her +bed-chamber. During the entire day she had endeavored +to assist her sister-in law, in the various domestic duties, +with her usual activity; which however it must be confessed, +was mingled with much pensive abstraction. But after +the tea service was removed, she had retired to her chamber, +that she might in solitude commune with her own +thoughts.</p> + +<p>The silence of her apartment was soothing to Nanna's +mind.</p> + +<p>Besides a small sofa, which was her sleeping place, her +little dominions contained a book shelf; three or four +flower vases; a bureau, and a small work table. The two +latter articles of furniture were specimens of Carl's workmanship.</p> + +<p>Carl, when he <i>chose</i> to display his ability, was a skillful +carpenter, and formerly Nanna was his special favorite. +Of late, however, it could readily be perceived that Magde +possessed his affections. She, had she so chosen, could +have abused him as if he had been a dog, and like a cur he +would have crept back to kiss the hand which had maltreated +him. Magde, however, was soft-hearted, and did +not abuse her power over the singular boy; but she compelled +him to labor with much more assiduity than he had +formerly. When at home, Carl generally performed the +duties of a nursery maid. The children remained with him +<a name="Page_40" id="Page_40"></a>willingly, for he tenderly loved them; in fact every child in +the neighborhood loved the "Wiseacre," for he would play +with them, and upon all occasions take them under his +special protection. When he saw his little nephews and +nieces, subjected to the discipline of their mother, he would +fly into a frenzy of passion, and then he was called, "Crazy +Carl." He was an inveterate enemy to corporeal punishment, +and he could invent no better method of explaining +his doctrine, than by administering to those, who differed +with him, a practical illustration of the cruelty of personal +castigation. Therefore he would fly around among the +parents and the straggling children, preventing their punishment +of his favorites by means of his own stalwart arm, +and then after the tumult had subsided he would repent +and tearfully sue for pardon.</p> + +<p>Crazy Carl was laughed at for his exertions in behalf +of the children, yet to spare his feelings the necessary +punishment of the children was deferred till he was out of +sight. None of the neighboring peasant women would +leave their homes, to go to the market, to a wedding, or to +a funeral, without requesting Carl to remain with the children, +and upon his compliance they would go forth untroubled, +for they were well aware of the unbounded influence +"Wiseacre" possessed over the young people.</p> + +<p>Carl's bed-room, which adjoined Nanna's apartment, contained +a bedstead, a well whittled table, and a chair +mutilated in a like manner. In this chair Carl would rock +<a name="Page_41" id="Page_41"></a>backward and forward, for hours, and with half closed +eyes would look as if by stealth, at a striped woolen waistcoat, +which was suspended against the wall, or some other +little gift from Magde.</p> + +<p>At the same time that Nanna was seated in her room +looking towards the large tree near the spring, Carl was +rocking in his chair, gazing with his peculiar expression +at a brown earthen vase, which was standing upon the +table before him. The vase contained two freshly plucked +lilacs, one blue and the other white, which emitted a +fragrant odor. After Carl had sufficiently regarded these +objects, he slowly jerked his chair towards the table, and +at each pause his mouth widened into a simple simper. At +length he arrived so near the table that by bending forward +he could have easily touched the flowers with his nostrils. +To accomplish this movement, which was his evident intention, +he proceeded with as much gravity and carefulness +as he had evinced in approaching the table. He bowed +down his head inch by inch, until he could no longer withstand +the desire of his senses. With one plunge he thrust +his nostrils amidst the fresh leaves of the fragrant flowers.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, however, he raised his head, a thought struck +his mind—his face lengthened and his brow became cloudy.</p> + +<p>And yet a few moments ago he appeared supremely +happy.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42"></a>Nanna's pretty face was pressed against the window pane. +Her little world had never before appeared so +fresh and beautiful. So great was her abstraction that +she did not hear the door open, as Carl with his peculiar +lofty strides entered the room.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Nanna," said Carl. Nanna did not hear +him. His voice was lost in her recollection of the words +of the strange youth, she had met the day before.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Nanna," repeated Carl.</p> + +<p>Nanna started. "What for?" said she.</p> + +<p>"Do you not know?" replied Carl, "why for the +flowers!"</p> + +<p>"Flowers?"</p> + +<p>"O," said Carl smiling imbecilely and gazing vacantly +around the room.</p> + +<p>"If you found lilacs in your room, I did not place them +there," said Nanna.</p> + +<p>"Ah! then perhaps little Christine sent them to me."</p> + +<p>"No, dear Carl," replied Nanna, "the flowers were +sent by one who is better than even myself or Christine."</p> + +<p>"Who can it be?"</p> + +<p>"Magde, of course."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" Carl slowly stepped towards the door. "Magde, +yes, I ought to have known that!"</p> + +<p>"Ask her, and then you will know certainly," said +Nanna.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43"></a>"O, no, but they are beautiful flowers. I hope I will +not break them, they smell so sweetly!"</p> + +<p>Thus saying Carl strode across the floor to his own chamber +where he again seated himself upon his chair and resumed +his former occupation; but he did not profane them +with his nostrils, for now he regarded them in a holier light. +They were Magde's gift.</p> + +<p>While he was thus happily engaged, a messenger arrived +at the cottage to disturb him. A peasant's wife, who +wished to attend a funeral desired his services, and the +obliging Carl, although he protested that he had a great +deal to engage his attention at home, willingly promised +to go to the woman's cottage and take care of her children +until her return. In order that his arrival at the cottage +might be joyfully welcomed, he returned to his room, and +commenced the manufacture of sundry whistles and as he +whittled and sung verses of his own composition—for +Carl was a poet—he occasionally cast loving glances towards +the brown earthen vase.</p> + +<p>But how was Nanna employed? Was she reading some +of her favorite books, an amusement to which she often +devoted her leisure hours? or perhaps she was proceeding +over the path which conducted to the spring in the meadow. +Neither. She at present appeared perfectly satisfied +with her unaccustomed listlessness, from which however +she was soon aroused.</p> + +<p>From between the trees that bordered the side of the +<a name="Page_44" id="Page_44"></a>hill, she saw a green coat emerge, which when it reached +the plain made its way towards the little fountain beneath +the tree.</p> + +<p>The wearer of the coat, who was the young man who +had carried the knapsack and had called Nanna his little +naiad, a term which he supposed she did not understand, +cast himself upon the grass near the trunk of the tree. +Perhaps he was expecting some one.</p> + +<p>For a few moments Nanna stood undecidedly upon the +threshold of the door. Her inclinations drew her towards +the spring; but her modesty cautioned her to remain.</p> + +<p>Why had she so long postponed her usual walk on this +particular occasion? She had not expected any one. +Certainly not!</p> + +<p>At length, however, she seized her bonnet and hastened +from the room.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The First Disappointment.</span></h3> + + +<p>Nanna had arrived at the bottom step of the flight of +stairs, when she encountered Magde who was returning +from a visit at a neighbor's house. She had walked fast, +and her face was crimson with heat and vexation. When +Magde first saw the young girl, she drew her bonnet close +around her face, intending to enter the house as quickly as +Nanna wished to depart; but when Nanna had reached +the threshold she exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?"</p> + +<p>"To take a little walk," replied Nanna.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46"></a>"Be careful, Nanna," said Magde seriously, "you will +soon be a young woman."</p> + +<p>"And why should that affect you so?" replied Nanna, +astonished at Magde's caution.</p> + +<p>"O, only that poor women who wish to preserve their +fair fame, are not allowed to go out when they choose."</p> + +<p>"What did you say?"</p> + +<p>"I say that the sun, earth, water, trees, and flowers, +are made only for the rich, who can admire them from +their fine carriages and pleasure yachts."</p> + +<p>"But, dear Magde, you have always—"</p> + +<p>"Silence, child," interrupted Magde, "you do not know +the insults to which we females of humble birth are exposed."</p> + +<p>"We are not born that we should thus be insulted," +said Nanna.</p> + +<p>"True, true; but then we should have been born as +deformed and ugly as those sins, which even our modesty +will not preserve us from being suspected of."</p> + +<p>"Can that be possible!" thought Nanna. Magde, who +as she spoke had passed her hand upon her forehead, now +removed it, and from the expression of her dark eyes, +which beamed with her accustomed cheerfulness, and from +her proud and lofty bearing, it could be perceived that she +had regained her usual self-possession.</p> + +<p>"I grieve you, dear Nanna," said she in a softened tone +of voice, "I do not imagine you to be more than a dove +<a name="Page_47" id="Page_47"></a>which is still fostered within the dovecote. But I was +troubled, as I am sometimes, without really knowing the +cause."</p> + +<p>"Is there no cause, then?" inquired Nanna.</p> + +<p>"I can say that there is or is not a cause, and therefore +shall remain silent."</p> + +<p>"Then remain silent, dear Magde, let us speak no further +on the subject," said Nanna quickly, for she was +burning with impatience to visit the spring.</p> + +<p>She longed to discover by experience whether it was +really so dangerous for a woman to walk out alone.</p> + +<p>Until the day before, it had not been dangerous, for no +one had forbidden her the free enjoyment of God's beautiful +earth, and neither had her modesty ever been insulted. +On any other occasion, Nanna would have been influenced +not only by curiosity, but by a far purer feeling, namely, +sympathy for Magde's sorrows,—for she dearly loved her +sister-in-law,—and would have asked an explanation of +matters which she at present was anxious to avoid.</p> + +<p>Magde was silent.</p> + +<p>Nanna stepped over the door sill.</p> + +<p>But stern fate compelled her to turn back a second +time, for the moment that Magde turned to pass into the +house, old Mr. Lonner advanced to the door.</p> + +<p>"Nanna my child," said he, "bring my chair out into +the door-yard. The evening air is so cool and pleasant +that it will invigorate my old body; but it would be better<a name="Page_48" id="Page_48"></a> +I think, if my rheumatism will permit it, to take a little +stroll in the fields, with the aid of my walking cane on one +side, and with you as a staff to support me on the other."</p> + +<p>Nanna blushed so deeply that she felt the blood burning +her cheeks, as she advanced the opinion that the exercise +might prove injurious to him.</p> + +<p>"Poor child, you are grieved on account of your old +father. I will take your advice. Bring my arm-chair +out, and we will sit here and have a little chat together."</p> + +<p>Hitherto, when her father had chatted to her of all that +he had seen and experienced, Nanna had considered herself +amply rewarded for her days of labor, but on this +occasion, she not only went after the chair reluctantly, but +also, when she as usual seated herself with her knitting +work on her little bench at his side she sighed +deeply. Her father did not observe her dejection, perhaps +he considered it an impossibility for his precious jewel to +sigh when she was with him.</p> + +<p>"Well, Nanna," said he stroking his long beard which +gave a venerable appearance to his benevolent features, +"are you thinking of the fine shawl that Ragnar is to send +you by his friend Jon Jonson?"</p> + +<p>"Not at all, dear father," replied Nanna.</p> + +<p>"True," continued the old man, "your disposition in +that respect does not resemble Magde's. She is pleased, +as every young woman should be, when she has an opportunity +of decorating her person with elegant clothing."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49"></a>"I think, that hereafter," said Nanna, slightly confused, +"I shall also cultivate a taste for such things; but thus +far I have had but little opportunity."</p> + +<p>"I hope so," replied her father, "I have frequently +been much troubled in mind, when I have observed your +indifference to dress, so unnatural to one of your age; +but which is only a result of the romantic notions that +you have always indulged in."</p> + +<p>"But dear father, is it not wrong to strive to make ourselves +beautiful when we are only poor people?"</p> + +<p>"Beautiful!" exclaimed the old man, "what put that +into your little head?"</p> + +<p>"Magde told me that all poor women ought to be born +ugly, that their reputation might not be suspected."</p> + +<p>"Magde was a little out of humor, when she said that, +and she who wishes to please her husband so much, could +not have really intended what she said."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but when a woman is married, it alters the case +entirely."</p> + +<p>"But why should not an unmarried girl wish herself +handsome for the sake of her father, her brother, and +above all for her own sake? That is a good wish so +long as it continues innocent."</p> + +<p>"When then, is it not innocent?" inquired Nanna.</p> + +<p>"It is no longer innocent when the love of fine apparel, +and the desire to be beautiful, changes the heart, and the +girl neglects her duties, and gives her sole attention to +<a name="Page_50" id="Page_50"></a>that which should only serve as a simple recreation; but +that I am sure will never be the case with you."</p> + +<p>Nanna was silent. She drooped her head. "There is +no danger of that," thought she, "for who will care to witness +the change?"</p> + +<p>"On next St. John's day," continued her father, "you +must wear that elegant silk shawl which belonged to your +poor mother."</p> + +<p>As Nanna heard these words, a smile of peculiar meaning +passed over her lips. It was the smile of a woman +who anticipates a future triumph.</p> + +<p>"Thank God," said the old man, turning the conversation +in another channel, "for all the blessings he has bestowed +upon us. Although we may now be in trouble, +when Ragnar's packages arrive, we shall be in better circumstances. +Poverty has many blessings of which the +rich man cannot even dream. The poor man's gratitude and +joy for even the slightest piece of fortune is too great to +describe. The rich man has not that relish for the good +things of life that the poor man has."</p> + +<p>While honest Lonner was thus losing himself in his +meditations, Nanna moved in her seat uneasily, and dropped +stitch after stitch of her knitting-work. The former +topic of conversation was endurable, but this—</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, however, she did not dare to express her +desire to be liberated from her irksome position. Why +was she afraid to do so? She asked herself the question; +<a name="Page_51" id="Page_51"></a>the only reply she could make was, that yesterday it +would have been easy for her to say, "Father, I want to +take a little walk in the meadow;" but to-day, oh! that +was different!</p> + +<p>"I see you have your bonnet on!" said her father, +"were you about taking a walk?"</p> + +<p>"I have not been out of the house before, to-day," +replied Nanna.</p> + +<p>"Well, then run away, my child; take all the enjoyment +you can. You have but little here."</p> + +<p>Perhaps it was by expressions of this description from +her father, that mournful thoughts were engendered within +the mind of the young girl, causing her to fancy that something +was wanting to complete her happiness, and that she +stood beyond the pale of those who should have been her +companions.</p> + +<p>It is certainly plausible to suppose that these moments +which the old man had set apart for familiar conversation +with his daughter, whom he loved above all earthly things, +for she reminded him of past days, might have proved +highly detrimental to Nanna's sensitive and susceptible +mind.</p> + +<p>As matters now stood, it was plainly evident that, however +economical, industrious and thrifty she might be, +Nanna would be compelled to be content with her lot, +should she wed an honest mechanic or a sloop captain, +<a name="Page_52" id="Page_52"></a>which were the highest prizes which she, or any of the +neighboring maidens, might expect to win.</p> + +<p>Like a captive bird which, after many fruitless struggles, +finally regains its liberty, Nanna quickly made use of her +restored freedom, and hastened from the door-yard. She +was fully convinced that the young man was no longer in +the meadow, and now she suddenly remembered that she +had said nothing to her father or Magde about the stranger +whom she had encountered the previous evening. +How strange it was that she had forgotten to tell them! +Yes, it was the strangest thing that ever had occurred +during her whole life, and how greatly astonished they +would be when she should tell them of her little adventure! +Thus thought Nanna, as she proceeded towards the +meadow.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Agreement.</span></h3> + + +<p>"It was just as I thought!" exclaimed our heroine, as +she looked, with pouting lips at the reflection of her pretty +figure in the clear waters of the spring. Never before +had her hair been so nicely arranged, and her neat white +apron, which she had kept concealed beneath her cloak +during her entire conversation with Magde and her father, +and which she had carefully tied about her waist as soon +as she had entered the meadows, how pretty it looked! +But how was she repaid for all her trouble? She was +about disencumbering herself both of her apron and a +little scarf which she had thrown over her shoulders, when +<a name="Page_54" id="Page_54"></a>she heard a voice that she had already learned to distinguish, +calling to her in the distance.</p> + +<p>With pleased astonishment she lifted her eyes, and saw +an individual whom we need scarcely inform our readers +was the owner of the knapsack. He was descending a +hill, holding to his lips a blade of grass, upon which he +would occasionally blow a vigorous and ear-piercing +blast.</p> + +<p>"Have you come at last, my naiad queen?" said the +youth. "We were such pleasant companions last evening, +that I came hither in the hope of finding you at your bath +again."</p> + +<p>"A naiad queen might bathe her feet before you; but +I—" She ceased speaking, and a deep blush suffused +her cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Ah! then you know something about the naiads, my +child?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and about the sylphs, too," replied Nanna, nodding +her head, proud at having an opportunity of displaying +her knowledge before one whom, besides her father, +was the only person that she had ever cared to interest.</p> + +<p>"You surprise me! What have you read?"</p> + +<p>"O, a little of everything. My father has a large book +case, and I have a small collection of books, myself."</p> + +<p>"Hm, hm," said the embryo secretary, "but enumerate +to me some of the books you have read."</p> + +<p>"Do you really wish to know?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55"></a>"Yes, dear Nanna,—pardon me—Mademoiselle Nanna +I should have said. Now Mademoiselle, please be seated, +the grass is quite soft. I wish to catechise you a little."</p> + +<p>"But I shall not answer you, sir, if you call me Mademoiselle; +it sounds so cold and disagreeable."</p> + +<p>"Well, I will be careful not to do so; but let us make a +commencement."</p> + +<p>"With my qualifications?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly; but why do you sit at such a distance?"</p> + +<p>"We are not so far from each other."</p> + +<p>"That proves you to be no mathematician. Now, tell +me, how many yards distance are there between us?"</p> + +<p>"Three, I think."</p> + +<p>"Poor child, you have not reached your A B C's in +arithmetic; but I will be your instructor."</p> + +<p>"How so?"</p> + +<p>"You shall soon see." He quickly unloosed his neckcloth. +"This," he continued, "is precisely one yard in +length. Now, I will measure the ground, and when I have +measured three yards, then—"</p> + +<p>"What then?"</p> + +<p>"Then I will seat myself; for you have yourself chosen +the distance."</p> + +<p>The unsuspecting Nanna had not the slightest idea of +the little plot the young man had arranged to entrap her. +The poor child was unaccustomed to mirth; for although +Magde, Ragnar, and Carl, often indulged in boisterous +<a name="Page_56" id="Page_56"></a>sports, still Nanna never could feel an inclination to mingle +with them, but had merely smiled at their ridiculous jokes. +Never had the clear ringing laugh of gleeful childhood +issued over her lips; but upon the present occasion her +innocent heart entered into the spirit of her gay companion, +and when he deliberately measured three lengths of +his neckcloth from the spot where he was sitting, and then +gravely seated himself at her very side, a merry laugh broke +from her lips, in which the youth joined.</p> + +<p>"Well," said he, assuming a comfortable position, "I +can touch you, at least, now."</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Nanna seriously, for she was musing +on Magde's words of caution, "yes, you can; but I do not +wish you to."</p> + +<p>"You do not?"</p> + +<p>"I do not," replied she firmly.</p> + +<p>"What an obstinate little creature you are!"</p> + +<p>"You desired to know what I have read," said Nanna, +wishing to change the subject of conversation.</p> + +<p>"True, but why do you hide your little hand under +your apron, I shall not touch it without your permission?"</p> + +<p>Nanna smiled as she slowly withdrew her hands from +their place of concealment and folded them upon her lap.</p> + +<p>"Now, my child," said the young man with an assumed +air of dignity, "first of all, you may commence at the beginning."</p> + +<p>"When I was a little girl, my father bought for me +<a name="Page_57" id="Page_57"></a>some picture books, which as I read, he explained to me. +Next as I progressed further—"</p> + +<p>"Well, what happened?"</p> + +<p>"Next I studied the catechism, which I liked very much, +then I commenced reading the bible, a book which I love +above all others, the new testament especially. All that I do +not understand my father explains to me, and after he +has finished, I go alone to my room, and as I read I cannot +refrain from weeping—But my tears are not sorrowful, +I think only of—"</p> + +<p>"Of what?"</p> + +<p>"I know not whether I should tell you that."</p> + +<p>"Certainly you should; am I not your friend?"</p> + +<p>"Well then—but do not speak about it to any one—I +cannot help thinking that if I had lived when our Saviour +was upon earth, I should have been one of the holy +women."</p> + +<p>"Who ever heard of such ambition! Why perhaps you +would like to have been the virgin Mary, herself?"</p> + +<p>"Oh," exclaimed Nanna, turning her face, that she +might conceal the blush, which his words of ridicule, as +she esteemed them, had called forth.</p> + +<p>"But, my child," continued her companion, "we will +dwell no longer upon your holy thoughts, so different +from others of your age; proceed if you please."</p> + +<p>"Aside from the books I have mentioned, at my father's +<a name="Page_58" id="Page_58"></a>request, I studied history, geography, natural philosophy, +and finally ancient mythology."</p> + +<p>"You surprise me! Your education has not been neglected; +but you can write, can you not?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, and I have also practised drawing a little."</p> + +<p>"Indeed! upon my honor, Mademoiselle Nanna you frighten +me!"</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"Because I cannot comprehend how you can use all +your knowledge in this valley."</p> + +<p>"I have often thought of that," replied Nanna, sighing +deeply.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps, it is not such a terrible matter after all," +said Gottlieb, "I must thoroughly convince myself."</p> + +<p>Gottlieb now commenced to examine and cross-question +Nanna in the various departments of learning that she had +mentioned, and was pleased to discover by her accurate +replies that she comprehended thoroughly all that she had +studied. In fact, Nanna was quite his equal in her knowledge +of Ancient Mythology, which had always been her +favorite study.</p> + +<p>"But how is it possible that your father should be so +well educated? Yesterday, when we were walking together, +you told me that he had resided in this valley nearly +half his lifetime, with scarcely sufficient means to support +himself and family."</p> + +<p>"Alas! a sorrowful story is connected with my father's +<a name="Page_59" id="Page_59"></a>younger days; but he never speaks of it. He had high +hopes, when young, and had they been realized, he would +have been a man of consequence; but the death of his +patron crushed everything."</p> + +<p>"I must call upon your father some pleasant evening. +Do you think he would be pleased to see me?"</p> + +<p>"Of course, and Magde would also."</p> + +<p>"Your sister-in-law? Well, well, I will soon visit them +both; but listen now—"</p> + +<p>"I will."</p> + +<p>"As the error has already been committed—"</p> + +<p>"What error?"</p> + +<p>"That you should have been taught more than you +ought to know; but still, it is now too late to repent as you +have already learned a little, and I do not think there will +be any harm in teaching you more."</p> + +<p>"Who will teach me?"</p> + +<p>"I shall of course.—I have an idea."</p> + +<p>Nanna glanced inquiringly towards her companion. +"You might be able," he continued, "to earn a little competency +for yourself; would you be willing to become a +school-teacher?"</p> + +<p>"O, yes, nothing could be better! Then I would not +be obliged to think of—of—"</p> + +<p>"Of marriage?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, of marriage."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60"></a>"And I am of your opinion, for to speak candidly, +whom could you marry?"</p> + +<p>"I do not know; there is the parish tailor, who has +already spoken to Magde about it—"</p> + +<p>"The parish tailor!—Aha!"</p> + +<p>"And Captain Larsson who owns a sloop, offered Ragnar +two barrels of rye flour if he would speak a good +word to me about him."</p> + +<p>"Two barrels of rye flour as a bribe! And your brother's +reply?"</p> + +<p>"O, Ragnar is not to be played with," replied Nanna; "'if +you wish to purchase my sister,' said he, 'you had better +speak to her yourself, she has not authorized me to +sell her.'"</p> + +<p>"So you have two lovers!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and the sexton, an old widower, is the third. +He has considerable wealth, and therefore applied to my +father, himself."</p> + +<p>"Without success?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, father told him I was too young."</p> + +<p>"Do you not prefer either of your suitors?"</p> + +<p>"I would rather throw myself into lake Wenner, than +to marry either of them."</p> + +<p>"Then let us speak of the school. It will give you a +little income, and is, as far as I can see, the only method +of using your accomplishments to advantage."</p> + +<p>"You are right. It is my only choice."</p> +<p><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61"></a></p> +<p>"I fear so too, for a lover suitable for you would not in +all probability find his way hither; but in me you have +found a friend at least."</p> + +<p>"Thank God, for that."</p> + +<p>"But it is necessary that we should make one agreement—"</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"That we shall not fall in love with each other."</p> + +<p>"Oh, there is no danger!"</p> + +<p>"Ah! who can be sure of that? You possess beauties +beyond your personal charms, Miss Nanna, that may conquer +me in spite of myself."</p> + +<p>"You are also beautiful; but I do not believe that—that—"</p> + +<p>"You do not believe that you would ever fall in love +with me, you were about saying. Upon my word that is so +much the better, for to speak truly I am placed in as +bad circumstances as you are yourself."</p> + +<p>"You are!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I speak the truth. My only ambition is to +become an assistant in my father's office."</p> + +<p>"If that is the case," said Nanna, "you must fall in love +with a rich girl only."</p> + +<p>"I shall be careful of my own interests I assure you," +replied Gottlieb, "but now this perplexing point is rightly +settled—is it not?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62"></a>"Yes, you are to marry a wealthy girl, and I am to +keep a school, is that the agreement?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and now we must make another arrangement, which is +that we must agree to meet each other during the +evening hours at this spot. I own many books that +will be useful to you, and if you can sing—"</p> + +<p>"I can sing a little, and the old sexton says my voice is +beautiful."</p> + +<p>"Allow me to hear you sing."</p> + +<p>"To-morrow, I cannot this evening."</p> + +<p>"O, you should not refuse a friend in that manner. +It would be quite different if I was your lover."</p> + +<p>Without further words, Nanna commenced singing an +old ballad, and her sweet voice, as she trilled forth the +beautiful words of her song, fell upon the ear of her young +companion like the soft music of a bird.</p> + +<p>"You sing excellently, Nanna, and I think your voice +would be improved if you could play upon the guitar. I +have one at home, and might bring it with me."</p> + +<p>"But the guitar would not benefit my future pupils."</p> + +<p>"It will serve for your amusement after your scholars +have left you in the afternoon. You will find such a +relaxation quite necessary, and when you play upon it, +and sing one of your beautiful ballads, you will think of +your friend."</p> + +<p>"And drive away the tedium of the long hours.—O, +sir, you are too kind!"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63"></a>"Stop, Nanna! Call me Gottlieb, not sir. You know +friends should—"</p> + +<p>"Thanks, Sir Gottlieb! What a beautiful name! But +it is quite late!"</p> + +<p>Nanna, who was fearful that Magde, anxious at her long +absence, would come in search of her, arose from her seat +upon the grass, and hastily departed.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Chase.</span></h3> + + +<p>The next morning, a few hours before Carl, whistling +a ballad of which he was the author, commenced his journey +over ditches and stiles, to fulfill his engagement to watch +with the children of the peasant woman, Mr. Fabian +H—— was awakened by his affectionate wife, who informed +him that it was time for him to prepare himself for his +hunting expedition.</p> + +<p>Sleepy, and unwilling to leave his cozy bed, for the sake +of enjoying the damp morning air, Mr. Fabian addressed +his spouse with all the tenderness which his state of mind +would permit:</p> + +<p><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65"></a>"Dear Ulgenie, you—"</p> + +<p>Mistress Ulrica, however, did not permit herself to +be moved by this gentle epithet.</p> + +<p>"Fabian," said she, shaking his shoulder roughly, "you +are going to sleep again. Quick! get up! I have had +your top boots nicely greased, and on the chair you will +find your hunting coat and game-bag. Everything is made +as comfortable as possible."</p> + +<p>"Sweet Ulgenie," expostulated Mr. Fabian.</p> + +<p>The amiable lady smiled as she heard him speak, and +had not an unfortunate yawn accompanied those two tender +words, in all probability they would have terminated +this chapter. But the word yawn is not found in Love's +dictionary, and consequently the unlucky husband was +forced to rise from his bed preparatory to going forth to +perform deeds of valor in obedience to the commands of +his mistress.</p> + +<p>"Do not neglect to awaken Gottlieb. He also must +learn the noble art of hunting."</p> + +<p>"I will, my dear, I will," said her husband, perspiring +with his exertions, as he forced himself into his hunting +garments which Mistress Ulrica had made from a pattern +of her own invention. But when Mr. Fabian had completed +his toilette, he hastened from the house, intentionally +forgetting to awaken Gottlieb, for, as we shall soon +discover, he had urgent reasons for wishing to perform his +hunting exploits without the hindrance of a companion.<a name="Page_66" id="Page_66"></a> +As Sir Fabian was, so to speak, his wife's butler, he +had provided himself with a deputy butler, who generally +received a hint of the day and the hour, when stern fate +would compel his master to encase his feet in heavy hunting +boots.</p> + +<p>We now see this martyr to the holy cause of matrimony, +puffing and blowing beneath the weight of his heavy gun, +as he wends his way across the fields towards a certain spot +in the forest at which he finally arrives. He looks around +him with searching eyes; his brow is clouded with anxiety +and impatience. Suddenly his eyes gleam with an +expression of joy; but he instantly recovers himself and +assumes an air of dignified composure, while he gazes +angrily upon the form of a man, who is approaching him +through the trees.</p> + +<p>"Fool! you have kept me waiting!" said he harshly as +the man advanced.</p> + +<p>Humbly but with a humility which was more assumed +than natural, the "Butler," presented Mr. Fabian with +two hares, and two partridges; which would fill his game-bag +uncommonly well and ensure a loving welcome upon +his return home. After this ceremony was performed +Mr. H—— threw his accomplice a few pieces of silver, and +when the last named performer in this little scene had vanished, +our huntsman fatigued by his arduous exertions +cast himself upon a moss-covered bank and was soon continuing +<a name="Page_67" id="Page_67"></a>the dream which had been so unpleasantly interrupted +by his sweet Ulgenie.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"In the woods, near the sea I have lived<br /></span> +<span class="i0"> Many a day!<br /></span> +<span class="i0"> Ho, ho, ho,<br /></span> +<span class="i0"> Ha, ha, ha,<br /></span> +<span class="i0"> It is so lovely on the earth!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Thus sang or hummed Carl as he proceeded on his way.</p> + +<p>Suddenly he experienced a strong desire to rush into +the woods to listen to the sighing of the wind as it +swept through the high branches of the trees. In this +music Carl took such delight that he would listen to it, for +hours, while great tears of pleasure and excitement would +roll down his sun-burnt cheeks. But it was the pleasure +and excitement of a religious enthusiast in the house of the +God he worshipped. Carl never spoke of these sentiments, +and how would it have been possible for him to do so. +He never thought from whence they originated. He followed +his inclination only.</p> + +<p>While Carl was thus engaged he suddenly saw an object +which caused him instantly to neglect the sound of his +favorite music. In the grass near the fence over which +Carl was about climbing, he saw the slumbering huntsman, +with the freshly killed game reposing at his side.</p> + +<p>Carl, without knowing why, had conceived the idea +that Magde disliked Mr. Fabian H——, and as for himself, +<a name="Page_68" id="Page_68"></a>he instinctively hated that worthy gentleman. And +another thought entered his head as he looked upon the +game. He remembered that Magde had once said: "Ah! +had we but a hare or a partridge, how delicious it would +be! But such things are too good for us, they must be +sent to the manor house."</p> + +<p>Carl laughed silently. He extended his hand towards +the sleeping man, and then withdrew it undecidedly. Our +friend Carl possessed a few indistinct ideas concerning the +law of <i>meum and teum</i>. By dint of great exertion, his +father had implanted in his mind the great necessity of +observing the eighth commandment, and upon the present +occasion the lesson of his younger days interfered in a +great degree with the accomplishment of his present designs; +for as he gazed upon the objects of his envy, he +muttered to himself:</p> + +<p>"<i>The Eighth Commandment:</i> Thou shalt not steal!"</p> + +<p>His brain was not only troubled with the eighth, but the +words of the tenth commandment came to his memory, +"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his servant, +nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his ass."</p> + +<p>As he thus spoke, and thought first of the commandments +and then of Magde, he continued to advance and +retreat, wavering in his decision, and he might have remained +in this state until Mr. Fabian awoke, had not a +bright idea forced itself upon his mind.</p> + +<p>"O," exclaimed he, "the commandments say nothing +<a name="Page_69" id="Page_69"></a>about <i>game</i>!" and as even the veriest simpleton has it in his +power to convince himself of the purity of an action, however +wrong, Carl soon satisfied himself with the excuse +which he had so ingeniously invented. He entirely forgot +the closing line of the commandment, "nor anything that +is his," which, however, would not bear consideration on +that occasion. He therefore seized the two hares that were +nearest him, and by the assistance of a long stick he +gained possession of the partridges also.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, Mr. Fabian's assistant, who had not +yet left the forest, having been attracted by Carl's movements, +had been an eye-witness to his proceedings. But +instead of warning the lad of his crime, the spectator +seemed rather to rejoice at his patron's misfortune. He +might safely do this, for after the crime had been committed, +he could easily disclose the name of the thief, and +thus avert suspicion from himself. He thought that Mr. +H—— would not injure a person of Carl's character, and +that at all events he would be likely to receive a proper +reward for any zeal he should exert to promote the interest +of his employer. Carl had discovered that his actions had +been observed; but as the spectator, by sundry winks and +nods, seemed rather to encourage than to prevent him, +Carl proceeded without fear.</p> + +<p>And now, having won the victory, he hastened to +Magde.</p> + +<p>But here trouble awaited him.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70"></a>When Carl presented Magde the game, she was delighted; +but after her outburst of admiration had subsided, +her first question naturally was as to where he +had procured his prize.</p> + +<p>"Is it not enough that it is here?" said Carl, as he stood +on the threshold, twirling his hat in his hand.</p> + +<p>"Heavens! I trust you have not procured it in an +unlawful way?"</p> + +<p>"No, I got it while going the right way," replied Carl, +mischievously.</p> + +<p>"My dear Carl," said Magde, seriously, "you must not +think to deceive me by your cunning words."</p> + +<p>"You should not say so," answered Carl, sulkily.</p> + +<p>"No, I should not, Carl, I spoke foolishly; but if you +are a good boy, and love me, you will tell me who has +given you this game, or whether you have promised to pay +for it by working by-and-bye."</p> + +<p>"I have already worked for it," said Carl, with a laugh, +"but I must go now, or else I will be too late at Sunnangaarden."</p> + +<p>Thus saying, Carl was about putting his long legs in +active motion, when Magde exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Carl! Carl! a word more! stop, Carl!"</p> + +<p>"I have staid too long already," said Carl; but still he +remained.</p> + +<p>"Tell me frankly, Carl, did you procure the game honestly?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71"></a>Carl, who rested upon the tenth commandment, in which +neither hares nor partridges were mentioned, answered +shrewdly:</p> + +<p>"If you doubt my honor, I will refer you to the catechism. +Do you believe in the catechism?"</p> + +<p>"Is it true then that you have done nothing contrary to +its precepts?"</p> + +<p>"It is indeed true," replied Carl, gravely.</p> + +<p>"Then I am satisfied," said Magde, "and I am grateful +to you, my good Carl, for the welcome present."</p> + +<p>"Good? Yes, can I really believe you, Magde?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I so consider you, and therefore I am good to +you."</p> + +<p>Carl commenced laughing, and assumed a crane-like +position, as he balanced himself upon one leg. This was +his usual custom when pleased.</p> + +<p>"Well, well, then you love poor Carl a little. That's +good!"</p> + +<p>"Carl is my good boy," replied Magde, who during the +conversation had been engaged in spreading out a number +of skeins of knitting yarn that had been placed out to +bleach upon the grass plot.</p> + +<p>"Listen," said Carl, approaching nigher to Magde, +"would Magde shed a tear upon my grave if God should +call me from earth?"</p> + +<p>There reposed in these words a tone of mingled fear and +<a name="Page_72" id="Page_72"></a>humility, and Magde, much moved by the peculiar +expression of Carl's countenance, replied:</p> + +<p>"Certainly, Carl, I would shed many, many tears, for I +believe there are none who love you as I do."</p> + +<p>"I am grateful, Magde," said Carl, violently scraping +the ground with the sole of his hob-nailed shoe, an action +which could scarcely be called a bow—"your words shall +be remembered. I am Magde's servant, and shall be so +as long as I live."</p> + +<p>With these words, he turned on his heel, and trotted +towards his place of destination.</p> + +<p>"The poor lad has a good heart," thought Magde, as +she concluded her labors in the yard; but she little imagined +the true state of Carl's heart.</p> + +<p>Magde now entered the house to prepare breakfast. +Her three children crowded around her, loudly testifying +their admiration of the partridges and hares. She commenced +dressing the game with that placidity of countenance, +and with that dexterity which proved she was well +versed in that most important branch of a housekeeper's +duties—cookery.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Concerning the Hunter in the Woods, +and his homeward walk.</span></h3> + + +<p>We now return to our friend the sportsman, who soon +awoke from his sound slumber, quite refreshed. He +yawned, stretched himself, and mechanically extended his +hand towards the spot where he had placed his game-bag.</p> + +<p>Although his hand touched nothing but the grass and +his gun, he nevertheless was not troubled, for he thought +that he had miscalculated the distance. He searched still +further; but to his surprise the game-bag was still missing. +He now raised himself up in a sitting posture, and rubbing +his eyes vigorously, he searched the ground closely. But +<a name="Page_74" id="Page_74"></a>his eyes, usually so good, must have been dimmed by some +enchantment, for he could perceive neither the hares nor +the partridges, which he could not but think were there.</p> + +<p>Determined, however, not to believe in such marvels, +for honest Fabian was a man of intelligence, he arose and +peered through the bushes in the grass; he looked in +the air, and he closely scanned the tops of the trees; but +his efforts were fruitless. The game was not to be found.</p> + +<p>"It is astonishing!" said he to himself. "I can not believe +it! They must be here! But where the devil are +they then!"</p> + +<p>The trees retained a stubborn silence, and their example +was followed by the earth, the air, and the water. Although +the heat of the day was rendered still more insufferable +by Mr. Fabian's thick hunting suit, yet his flesh +chilled with fear when he discovered the actual loss of his +partridges and hares.</p> + +<p>To return home without his game, was a misfortune, +which under ordinary circumstances he could have endured; +but on this occasion he had reason to expect a more +than usually severe lecture from his wife whose command +he had stubbornly disobeyed by not awakening Gottlieb. +While the unfortunate sportsman was bewailing his fate +he discovered the face of his "butler," who was peering +out from between the bushes with an expression of mingled +humility and mirthfulness.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75"></a>"Where are my partridges, you rascal?" shouted Mr. +Fabian, his face glowing with anger.</p> + +<p>"Do you think, Mr. H——, that I have taken them?"</p> + +<p>"Such a jest would be but natural. What are you +doing here? Have I not paid you enough?"</p> + +<p>"I never do anything without orders, and if you do +not wish me to remain, I will go instantly. I thought, +however, that you would be pleased if I should tell you +what had become of your game."</p> + +<p>"That is just what I wish to know! Has any one presumed +to steal it?"</p> + +<p>"Very likely."</p> + +<p>"Who? Quick! Tell me!"</p> + +<p>But the butler answered only with a long drawn. +"Ah!"</p> + +<p>"Can you substantiate what you are about to say?"</p> + +<p>"I can swear to it, if it is necessary. I waited here +only that I might be able to explain everything to my employer, +after he should awake."</p> + +<p>"You are a fine fellow, now tell me what evil being has +entered the woods, and committed this depredation?"</p> + +<p>"If you wish to have a full account of the matter, you +should tender full payment," said the butler, who considered +this play of words exceedingly apt and forcible.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I will not be ungenerous," replied Mr. Fabian +taking a bank-note from his pocket.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76"></a>"Carl,—the fool of the valley—purloined the hares and +partridges."</p> + +<p>"What! that cur!—the son of old Lonner!"</p> + +<p>"The same."</p> + +<p>"Are you certain?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, as certain as I am that I live."</p> + +<p>"Good," said Mr. Fabian, and he repeated the same +word several times, each time appearing better satisfied, +and certainly the thoughts that occupied his mind must +have afforded him great pleasure, for he not only forgot +the trouble that awaited his return home, but also the +question, which in truth should have been the first one—why +the Butler had not stopped the thief and rescued the +booty. The Butler, however, thought it expedient not +to await further questions, and therefore soon found an +opportunity of retreating.</p> + +<p>Our readers may be assured that when the sportsman +returned home his wife was not in the best of humor. +She awaited his coming in the parlor; but when she heard +his footsteps in the court-yard, she could no longer restrain +her impatience, but hastened to the window and exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Where were your silly thoughts wandering, when you +left the house without calling Gottlieb. I must say that +you conduct yourself friendly towards <i>my</i> relations, and I +do think it is equally astonishing that you have come home +without him. I sent him to look for you a long time ago.<a name="Page_77" id="Page_77"></a> +What! can I believe my eyes! Where is the game that +I was to have for dinner?"</p> + +<p>"Dear Ulrique Eugenie, can you not wait until I have +changed my clothes? I have travelled so far through +the woods, that I can scarcely breathe, I am so weary."</p> + +<p>"Where is the game?"</p> + +<p>"Whew!" ejaculated her husband, "I can stand these +clothes no longer." Thus saying, he hastened into the +house, and proceeded to his apartment.</p> + +<p>But this respite was of short duration. Mistress Ulrica +Eugenie was familiar with the road to the chamber, and +her rage reached its highest point, when she heard that +the game which was intended for her dinner, had been +stolen while her husband, overcome by his arduous exertions, +had fallen asleep.</p> + +<p>"O, if I only knew who did this, yes, if I only knew, I +would have the rascal put in the stocks. But you, you +dormouse, yes you, you call yourself a man! you! Don't +you wish to borrow my petticoat! To sleep when engaged +in the noble art of hunting! To complain of fatigue! +Fie upon such men! But can you not discover the thief?"</p> + +<p>"No, my dear, I assure you. I cannot, how could I +know what happened while I was sleeping?"</p> + +<p>"That is the reason why you never knew anything in +your life," replied the exasperated woman. "But see there +comes Gottlieb with a partridge in his hand. He is a pattern. +<i>He</i> never allows <i>his</i> game to be stolen," and Mistress<a name="Page_78" id="Page_78"></a> +Ulrica composed her features, and assumed an expression +of motherly benevolence, while she descended the +stairs to receive her nephew.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, good Gottlieb," said she meeting him at +the door, "thank you, your uncle has been unfortunate +this morning; but come with me to the dairy, and you shall +have the cream of an entire pan of milk."</p> + +<p>"The milk also, if you please, aunty, I feel myself able +to devour every thing, pan and all."</p> + +<p>"Well, satisfy yourself. By and by we will go to my +bleachery and you may select a piece of linen.—Do you +understand?"</p> + +<p>"Not a word. It is all a mystery. But I do know that +there is not a nephew on the entire Scandinavian peninsula, +who possesses an aunt with such an affectionate disposition."</p> + +<p>"Ah, you flatterer, it is well that you are my nephew +or else Fabian might be jealous."</p> + +<p>"Well I am not sure but that he may yet have an occasion, +for, I am not aware that nephews are forbidden to +love their aunts."</p> + +<p>From that day forward Gottlieb was taken under the +especial protection of his aunt, and as her favorite he was +certain of a comfortable and pleasant life. When she became +acquainted with his manners, virtues and accomplishments, +her esteem for him was, if possible, doubly increased.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79"></a>What could he not do, the dear boy? Not to speak +of his wonderful success in amusing little Jean Ulrick, Mr. +Fabian's sole heir, he was able to read aloud to his aunt +from her favorite volume, and to repeat with almost sublime +patience, all those tender passages to which she in a plaintive +tone would sigh <i>de capo</i>. More than all this. He could +sing—the model nephew—and accompany his voice with the +guitar not only to the tune of "my love and I," but also +to his aunt's favorite ballad, "In the shadows of the wood; +in the cavern hid away." And finally there was not a +female domestic in the house who dared to compete with +Gottlieb in the art of chopping string beans. In short, he +was a nephew whose peer could not be found in all Sweden, +and who knows whether the piece of linen he chose from +the bleachery was the last he received from his indulgent +aunt.</p> + +<p>Poor Gottlieb, while you are thus the prime favorite of +your strong minded aunt, having free access to the pantries +and dairy-rooms, have you no misgivings that the day will +arrive when the doors of this house shall be closed +against you? Relentless fate who ever demands a sacrifice. +How true are the words of the wise Solomon, "All is +vanity and vexation of spirit; and there is no profit under +the sun." But it is not to be believed that Mr. Fabian's +slumbers were disturbed because his wife had deserted him. +No, he even preferred the company of hunger and thirst +rather than that of his Ulgenie. Not that this state of mind +<a name="Page_80" id="Page_80"></a>originated from the many lectures he had received from +his wife. Ah, no, there were far more powerful reasons; +but it is certain that if Mistress Ulrica had suspected that +her husband's indifference arose from any other motive +than the wish to escape a deserved punishment she would +have, undoubtedly, increased the vigor of her tongue to +such a pitch that his house would have been uncomfortably +warm to him.</p> + +<p>After dining upon Gottlieb's partridge which had done +much to smoothe her ruffled temper, Mrs. Ulrica was thus +insinuatingly addressed by her husband:</p> + +<p>"Have you any errands for me to perform at the parsonage, +dear Ulgenie? I wish to ride down there to talk over +the parish matters with the parson."</p> + +<p>"That's right, dear Fabian. Take Gottlieb along +with you. He would like to see the young ladies, each of +whom are worth a ton of gold."</p> + +<p>At this proposal Mr. Fabian's brow darkened; but the +gloom was soon dispelled as Gottlieb declined the pleasure +of going, and the first smile which the young man had +received from his uncle was when he replied: "Excuse me +to-day, my dear aunt, I wish to write to my mother."</p> + +<p>He had no desire to disappoint his young pupil of the +valley.</p> + +<p>"Excellent youth!" exclaimed his aunt, "pleasure cannot +wile you from your duties. God forbid that I should +attempt to do so; and you Fabian," she added extending +<a name="Page_81" id="Page_81"></a>her arms towards her husband, "kiss me before you go. +Your Ulgenie has no desire to deprive you of any reasonable +enjoyments."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Mr. Fabian and Magde Lonner.</span></h3> + + +<p>"O, how thankful I am that you can come out here on +the green, dear father." Thus said Magde, as she gave +old Mr. Lonner his hat and cane, after Nanna had filled +and lighted his pipe.</p> + +<p>It was a beautiful scene to behold the two sisters thus +employed. Ragnar was right. Without waiting for a +request, they were apparently striving to outvie each other +in performing little services for the old man. In short, Mr. +Lonner had not a wish which was not gratified. They +anticipated his every desire.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83"></a>"There, that will do, my daughters; I thank you. I feel +so young to-day, that I am quite happy. My rheumatism +has left me almost entirely; so give me your arm, Nanna, +and we will go."</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?" inquired Magde.</p> + +<p>"O, after we have taken a short walk," replied Nanna, +"I have proposed that we should go to the spring in the +meadow, and sit down awhile. It used to be one of papa's +favorite spots."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you had better take a book with you," said +Magde, "and then you can read to him."</p> + +<p>Nanna blushed. Her object was to afford to her father +another and much greater pleasure. She hoped in this +manner to introduce Gottlieb to him before the youth +should visit the cottage, because she feared that Magde in +that case would wonder at her familiarity with the new +comer.</p> + +<p>Many times during the day, Nanna had endeavored to +say to Magde, "last evening, and the evening before, I +met an elegant young man near the spring in the meadow;" +but for some unknown reason, the words never passed +over her lips. She imagined that if she was alone with +her father, she would not fear to tell him, and she also +thought that when Gottlieb would see her with the old +man, he would know that she had not agreed to meet him +alone.</p> + +<p>Her father would also converse with them about the +<a name="Page_84" id="Page_84"></a>time when she should commence her school, about which +she had already erected many castles in the air. A little +house she had thought should be erected in the valley. +Here she should dwell alone with her cat, her little goldfinch +with his elegant green cage, and she would also have +a shed for her cow. She also wished to take a dog with +her; but finally she thought she would not do so, for he +would eat too much, and aside from that, would not be of +the slightest benefit to her, for Carl would certainly assume +the entire control of him.</p> + +<p>There was no doubt, she had thought, but that good Carl +would help her with her heavy work. That is, he would +come to her little house on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons, +to scrub her floors and bring the wood, while she +was engaged in making cakes and pies for her father and +Magde, who should visit her on those evenings. Of course +this plan was to be followed during the summer only. During +the winter, she would spend those afternoons and evenings +in the large house.</p> + +<p>What true happiness did the girl experience as she thus +innocently dreamed of her future life! Her joy was increased +as she fancied herself seated in her little school-room +after the close of her labors for the day. That little +room was to be a bright place in her memory forever for was +it not he, her friend, who had told her that she would +require some recreation after school hours, and was he not +also to teach her the means for doing so?</p> + +<p><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85"></a>We will not describe Nanna's blushing confusion as she +told her father of her acquaintance with Gottlieb, neither +will we paint at length, the mingled sentiments of fear and +hope which filled the old man's heart as he heard his +daughter's story; but will simply remark that the meeting +between old Mr. Lonner and Gottlieb was mutually +gratifying, and that as is naturally the case under such +circumstances, they each wished to continue the acquaintance +thus pleasingly commenced.</p> + +<p>Upon the sand in front of the cottage Magde's children +were playing in the sun, while Christine, the servant girl, +was dividing her attention between her sewing work, and +the baby which was reposing in a kneading trough, upon +a little bed of rushes. She would also occasionally cast her +eyes towards the other children, as they dug little ditches +which they filled with water brought from the house in an +old kettle, and then sailed their little bark boats in these +miniature canals.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, Magde, as usual, was sitting in the +parlor, weaving at her loom with such violence that the +window panes rattled in their sashes. As she was thus +engaged she hummed a little song, which Ragnar during +their courtship had frequently sung beneath her window +as a signal that he wished to see her alone. As Magde +loved her husband above all other earthly things, his +favorite song had never become discordant to her. This +song she took most pleasure in singing when she was alone, +<a name="Page_86" id="Page_86"></a>for then she could give full rein to her fancy, and look forward +to the time when her loved husband should become +a captain, and command an elegant schooner in which he +could receive his wife, for she hoped that she might be able +to take one voyage at least to Goteborg, to preside at the +table in Captain Ragnar's cabin.</p> + +<p>Then thought she, what a great stir her appearance in +the vessel would create! "Heavens," one would say, +"what a beautiful wife our captain has!" Yes, the captain +is a man of taste. "The captain, always the captain. O, +how grand it sounded! The captain loves her so much," +the sailors would also say, "that he scarcely takes his eyes +from her, and how affectionately she looks at him! O, it +must be a happy life, to be thus married!"</p> + +<p>While Magde was thus engaged in her pleasant reveries, +the latch was lifted and the door swung open slowly.</p> + +<p>"Mercy! What can be Mr. H——'s business here!" +she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"O, do not disturb yourself," said Mr. Fabian, for it +was our valorous huntsman who thus disturbed Magde's +dreams, "I hope everything may be arranged without +trouble. I am not the man who would injure his neighbor, +even if I had it in my power."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean!" exclaimed Magde dropping her +shuttle in her terror.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the worthy gentleman had gradually +<a name="Page_87" id="Page_87"></a>approached Magde, but so softly and cautiously that he +resembled a cat about pouncing upon a trembling mouse.</p> + +<p>"Heaven forbid," replied Mr. Fabian, "that I should +think that you knew anything about it. A woman so virtuous +as you are, would not engage in any wrong action; +but I do think that a man's property should be respected."</p> + +<p>"Mr. H——, if you have any evil tidings speak them +out at once. Perhaps Jon Jonson has arrived, and the +goods that Ragnar—"</p> + +<p>"With a deep blush Magde suddenly ceased speaking; +but her visitor required nothing further. He pretended, +however, not to have understood her words; but as he +well knew that Jon Jonson's vessel was still at Goteborg +for he expected some merchandise in it himself, it did not +require much penetration for him to surmise that the mate +Lonner had taken an opportunity of sending home some +smuggled goods by his friend Jonson.</p> + +<p>"I know nothing about Jon Jonson's vessel," said Mr. +H—— after a moment's pause, "but, I can readily +perceive that you expect some compliments from your +husband."</p> + +<p>"Yes, not only compliments; but also a quantity of +merchandise," replied Magde, who, after a moment's reflection +had concluded that it was better not to make a +secret of it, "as Ragnar had a little overplus he concluded +to send us a few necessary articles from Goteborg.<a name="Page_88" id="Page_88"></a> +We are poor, and cannot demand credit until he returns."</p> + +<p>"It is better not to do so," replied her visitor, "but at +present we have neither Jon Jonson nor Ragnar to speak +about. A certain person in this neighborhood has placed +himself in an unpleasant position."</p> + +<p>"Who can it be?" exclaimed Magde, terrified by Mr. +Fabian's imposing aspect, "I will run and call father!"</p> + +<p>"If the old man is not at home," replied her visitor +concealing his joy by assuming a frown of vexation, "it +will be better not to call him as it will only cause the venerable +man much pain."</p> + +<p>"Tell me, do tell me, what has been done?" stammered +the frightened woman.</p> + +<p>"I refer to your brother Carl!"</p> + +<p>"Carl, the half-witted Carl."</p> + +<p>"O, he is in no want of wit, and his weak mind shall +not serve him as a protection when he stands before the +justice. Theft is theft, no matter who commits it. At +least so the law considers it."</p> + +<p>"The game!" cried Magde clasping her hands in despair +and terror.</p> + +<p>"You are right, the game that he stole from me this +morning while I was sleeping. I knew full well that the +proud and conscientious Magde, would not deny that he +had brought it home."</p> + +<p>"But who could have—have—"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89"></a>"Right, who could have believed that he would have +done so, and that is the very point, and an unlucky one, +for it proves that he must have been seen while committing +the theft."</p> + +<p>"How terrible this is! A few days ago I happened to +say that I wished we had some game for our old father, +and now—now—"</p> + +<p>"Calm yourself," interrupted Mr. Fabian, extending +his hand and enforcing his consolation by a love-tap upon +Magde's shoulder. In her affliction Magde did not withdraw +from this salute, and Mr. Fabian had an opportunity of +gazing upon her lovely neck for a full moment, to prolong +which he would have given the value of a hundred hares +and partridges. But Magde arousing herself from her +stupor, looked her guest full in the face, and there read +an expression which displeased her.</p> + +<p>With a blush she replaced the handkerchief around her +neck, and suddenly enquired:</p> + +<p>"What then, sir, is the real intention of your visit? +You said you would not disturb us, and as the game is +untouched we can return it immediately."</p> + +<p>"The game is not the object of my visit."</p> + +<p>"What is then?"</p> + +<p>"The theft. Carl will be brought before the justice, I +told you there was a witness to his crime."</p> + +<p>"But how can that happen unless you enter a complaint?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90"></a>"Have I not the right to enforce the law which is made +to protect our property? but it is possible that I might +hush the matter up if I chose; and when I fancy that I +see the poor fellow under arrest, when I behold him in +the culprit's box, in the court-room; when I—"</p> + +<p>"May God protect him!" interrupted Magde, "you +have said enough, Mr. H——. I am but the wife of a poor +sailor; but if my humble prayers will be of the least avail—" +and Magde, the proud Magde, who before had often dismissed +Mr. Fabian with disdainful gestures, now clasped +her hands, and looked into his face with an expression of +tearful entreaty.</p> + +<p>"O, do not despair, my dear Magde," said he, "such +tender prayers and looks, have a wonderful influence +upon me. Aside from that your present attitude is perfectly +charming."</p> + +<p>Overpowered by a sudden revulsion of feelings, Magde +closed her eyes, and sank her head upon her bosom.</p> + +<p>"I see," said she, "that you do not intend to assist us +from our present trouble."</p> + +<p>"On the contrary," replied Mr. Fabian with much animation, +"I will do everything for you, if you will only +conduct yourself towards me, in a manner different from +that which you have done heretofore."</p> + +<p>"If Mr. H—— demands nothing more than friendship," +replied Magde, with difficulty repressing her anger, "that +shall not be wanting."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91"></a>"Nothing more, upon my honor," said Mr. H——, joyfully, +"if you, dear Magde, will promise that when you +meet me you will favor me with a look of kindness, I +assure you by my honor, that nothing more shall be heard +about this unpleasant affair; and as a proof that we shall +hereafter be friends, I demand the slight favor of a kiss."</p> + +<p>"That cannot be," replied Magde, with the coolness of +despair, "I love Carl as my brother, and will give anything +to preserve him from disgrace, except that which does not +belong to me."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, my little piece of stubbornness, do +not your lips belong to yourself?"</p> + +<p>"From the moment that I entered my bridal chamber, +I considered myself as belonging to my husband alone, +and Mr. H——, you can be assured that you are not +the person who can cause me to forget my husband's +rights."</p> + +<p>"Look you," shouted a harsh voice from the door, "before +Magde should kiss your wrinkled old lips, I would +run into the prison of my own accord;" and first Carl's +head, and then his uncouth form appeared, as he entered +the room. His face was convulsed with passion, and his +eyes glanced irefully upon the surprised Fabian.</p> + +<p>"Simpleton! you trespass upon my good nature!" +exclaimed Mr. Fabian, foaming with rage.</p> + +<p>"Do I?" replied Carl, "perhaps I shall trespass upon +<a name="Page_92" id="Page_92"></a>something else. Do you know, sir, what I shall say when +the justice questions me?"</p> + +<p>"What would you say, good Carl?" inquired Magde, +encouragingly.</p> + +<p>"I would say, for I know exactly how it will come to +pass, I would humbly say to the justice, that I did take +the hares and partridges from the proprietor of Almvik."</p> + +<p>"Yes," interrupted Mr. Fabian, "you will be obliged to +show your hand."</p> + +<p>"'Now,' the judge will reply," continued Carl, without +noticing the interruption, "'My lad, why did you do so?' +Then I will answer, because it is not forbidden in my +catechism; if the game had been an ox or an ass, I would +not have taken it. Then I would say to the justice, at the +same time looking at him in this way"—and Carl made +such a ridiculous grimace that Magde nearly laughed outright—"that +there was no danger that Mr. Fabian H—— would +frighten such fierce animals as the ox and the ass, +for it is his custom to charm the hares and partridges by +the sweet sound of his snores, for your Honor must know +that this huntsman pursues his game while comfortably +snoring in the grass."</p> + +<p>"What do you say, clown?"</p> + +<p>"And then I can call as a witness the very man whom +you intend to use against me, and finally I think that the +justice will smile a little when I tell him that Mr. Fabian<a name="Page_93" id="Page_93"></a> +H—— was willing to forget all harsh measures for a kiss +from Magde."</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha! ha!" exclaimed Mr. Fabian, with a forced +laugh, with which he attempted to conceal his uneasiness, +"you are a waggish rogue! Your last words have +afforded me so much amusement that I have not the heart +to injure you for such a trifle. But listen, you little simpleton; +you must not suppose that the justice would allow +you to say all that. No, he would have sent you away +long before you could have had time to utter a word +about it."</p> + +<p>Carl made no further reply than by applying his thumb +to his nasal organ; and gyrating his fingers in a manner +so significant that we will not endeavor to interpret his +meaning. Having executed this manoeuver, he hastily left +the room, but remained at such a distance that he could +keep a watchful eye through the open door upon the unwelcome +guest.</p> + +<p>Mr. Fabian, who did not wish to appear vanquished, was +at a loss how to change the conversation to such a theme +as would afford him a suitable opportunity to take his +leave in a dignified manner. But good Magde, who had +now entirely recovered her usual equanimity, soon assisted +him—by means of that instinct which sometimes puts +superior knowledge to the blush—out of his dilemma by +saying:</p> + +<p><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94"></a>"I am grateful to you, Mr. H——, for having forgiven +Carl because his words amused you; but what a simpleton +the boy is!"</p> + +<p>"It was because he was a simpleton that I forgave him; +but now as my visit is at an end, I will release you from +your unwelcome guest. As for the game, Carl can keep +it. It would at all events create suspicion if it was sent to +Almvik."</p> + +<p>"And you, Mr. H——, you will not be angry with us?"</p> + +<p>"I, God forbid. When I forgive I forget everything."</p> + +<p>Magde arose and courtesied as her visitor took his departure. +She accompanied him a short distance from the +house, and waited till he unfastened the horse's halter.</p> + +<p>After mounting his animal, he drove his horse near the +spot where Magde was standing, and as he passed her he +bowed deeply, but his face wore an expression that caused +her entire form to tremble with an undefined fear.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Truant.</span></h3> + + +<p>Fourteen days elapsed. Gottlieb had fully learned the +road from Almvik to the cottage in the valley. It had +never entered the mind of any one of the inmates of the +cottage to consider him a dangerous guest. Magde, who +possessed a quick eye, soon discovered that Nanna was the +cause of his visits; but she also perceived that Gottlieb +was no dissembler. Magde did not look further than this, +for she did not suppose Nanna would ever love one who +did not return her affection. Unrequited love she did not +believe in, and she thought that Nanna was of her opinion +in this respect.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96"></a>And in truth thus it appeared, for neither Nanna nor +Gottlieb experienced the slightest degree of restraint when +in each other's society. The change that had taken place +in Nanna's appearance was marvellous; the blossoms of +buoyant and happy girlhood had usurped the place formerly +occupied by lilies on her cheeks, and our young hero +had more than once laughingly said:</p> + +<p>"It is fortunate, Miss Nanna, that we made our agreement +when we first met, for if we had not I do not know +what would have happened. You become lovelier every +day, Nanna."</p> + +<p>Yet in spite of these words Gottlieb would blush with +displeasure when their meetings at the spring were disturbed +by a third person.</p> + +<p>The youthful teacher and pupil continued their meetings +at the little fountain, and Gottlieb at this spot gave Nanna +her first instructions upon the guitar. To his great pleasure +she learned quickly, and soon she was able to sing her +beautiful songs to her own accompaniment on his favorite +instrument.</p> + +<p>Words are inadequate to describe Gottlieb's pride and +elation when this was accomplished, and he was none the +less rejoiced when he discovered how readily Nanna comprehended +him when he read to her the writings of his +favorite bards.</p> + +<p>On her part Nanna replied to her kind teacher, by confiding +to him all of her little plans, among the first of +<a name="Page_97" id="Page_97"></a>which she mentioned the school-room, the cat and the singing +bird which he was to have, and Gottlieb gave her his +advice concerning the arrangement of the benches in the +school-room; the position which the black-board should +occupy, and what little presents she should make her +pupils as rewards of merit. He concluded by promising +to send her every year a letter of advice; possibly he +might come himself, occasionally, who knew?</p> + +<p>"I am sure of that," said Nanna, one afternoon in reply +to Gottlieb, as he thus expressed himself, "for when +you are married you will be obliged to visit Almvik +to show your rich wife to your uncle and aunt."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps," replied Gottlieb, with a laugh, "that journey +will not be necessary, for if my aunt could only have her own +way, she would certainly find me a wife in this neighborhood."</p> + +<p>"Who could you possibly marry in this neighborhood?" +inquired Nanna curiously.</p> + +<p>"Ah! Mademoiselle Nanna," replied Gottlieb, "I +easily perceive that you are not in the least danger, for +you can hear that your friend Gottlieb is to be married +and betray not the slightest emotion."</p> + +<p>"Why should I be moved, Mr. Gottlieb? It will have +to occur sometime," said Nanna innocently.</p> + +<p>"And yet—"</p> + +<p>"What yet!"</p> + +<p>"You are a good girl."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98"></a>"Ah, but don't you remember the agreement?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I only intended to remark that it would not +be difficult for you to adhere to it."</p> + +<p>"Does that displease you, sir?" inquired Nanna in a +tone of displeasure which was the more pertinent as it was +foreign to her usual manner.</p> + +<p>"Certainly not, Miss Nanna, on the contrary I am +delighted that you should follow my advice so faithfully—either +of the young ladies at the parsonage are suitable."</p> + +<p>"Did you refer to one of those?" inquired Nanna, her +countenance assuming a deathly paleness, "O they are so +beautiful."</p> + +<p>"Yes, perfectly angelic—especially Miss—Miss—what +is her name?"</p> + +<p>"You probably allude to Miss Charlotte."</p> + +<p>"Right, Miss Charlotte, whose hair is so black and +beautiful."</p> + +<p>"O, no, that is Sophia!" exclaimed Nanna.</p> + +<p>"Well then, Miss Sophia, I prefer her."</p> + +<p>"But why is it that you changed their names?" inquired +Nanna.</p> + +<p>"Why, you heard that I did not confound her black +hair with her sister's brown ringlets."</p> + +<p>"How strange! Charlotte's hair is quite light!"</p> + +<p>"Of what earthly difference is it," replied Gottlieb,<a name="Page_99" id="Page_99"></a> +"whether Charlotte's hair is brown or white, I think only +of the roguish and pretty Miss Sophia."</p> + +<p>"I think you are jesting with me, sir," said Nanna laughing +so heartily that the roses instantly returned to her +cheeks.</p> + +<p>"I jest with you!"</p> + +<p>"Of course. Miss Sophia is so serious and thoughtful +that no person would call her roguish."</p> + +<p>"Were you not as quiet as an old prayer-book the first +time I saw you?" replied Gottlieb.</p> + +<p>"And even if it was so—"</p> + +<p>"Just look into the water, my little miss, and tell me +whether you look as you used to."</p> + +<p>"Then you would say, Mr. Gottlieb, that by some magic +spell you have driven away Miss Sophia's gloominess?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I can say Miss Sophia's also."</p> + +<p>"<i>Also?</i>—that is a bold speech!"</p> + +<p>"Are you angry?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Gottlieb!"</p> + +<p>"Ah, Miss Nanna. Are you weeping?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Gottlieb may be mischievous and tantalizing +enough to compel me to do so; but this time he has not +succeeded."</p> + +<p>"Well, as I cannot force you to weep, I must confess +the truth, and that is—"</p> + +<p>"That you have seen neither of them," interrupted +Nanna.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100"></a>"Not that, there you are mistaken, for I called at the +parsonage one evening with my aunt, and I was so much +pleased with the young ladies, that now I am here with +you, while they are at Almvik, where they arrived this +morning. What do you think of that?"</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>What Nanna thought Gottlieb did not learn; but he +soon was made acquainted with his aunt Ulrica's opinion +concerning his absence. Gottlieb arrived at the latticed +gate of the court-yard at Almvik, just in time to salute +the young ladies from the parsonage as they drove forth +from the yard on their return home. They appeared +somewhat displeased, and returned Gottlieb's bow with a +stiff and cold salute.</p> + +<p>Mr. Fabian observed with pleasure, the cloud which +shadowed the brow of his beloved Ulrica, foretelling the +storm that was to burst forth; but not on himself.</p> + +<p>"Nephew Gottlieb," said Aunt Ulrica drawing the +young man aside, "you have to-day for the first time +afforded me an unpleasant surprise."</p> + +<p>"In what manner, dear aunt," replied Gottlieb.</p> + +<p>"Is it your custom when in your father's house to remain +away all day when young ladies are visiting your +parents?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101"></a>"Nothing would have been thought about it if such +had been the case. My mother is not overfond of such +strict principles of etiquette."</p> + +<p>"That is to be regretted, for boys who have not been +carefully guided, rarely become gallant and well behaved +young men; but we will say no more on that subject."</p> + +<p>"In that I concur."</p> + +<p>"We will therefore confine ourselves to that subject to +which an innate knowledge guides us."</p> + +<p>"That leads us back upon the same road."</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, my young friend, if you will permit +me to follow my own course I will place you on the road +to heaven."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure, my dear Aunt, that you have discovered +the right road?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, only think, a ton and a half of gold; beauty, +amiability, and a knowledge of cookery which excels that +of Miss Nylander<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> herself!"</p> + +<p>"But love, my dear aunt, is that not to be found in +heaven?"</p> + +<p>"O, yes, and it might have already made rapid progress +if you had assisted me in my first step towards the completion +of my designs, by remaining at home instead of running +away."</p> + +<p>"Which proves that nothing existed before in which +love could take root."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102"></a>"Nonsense!" exclaimed Mrs. Ulrica, "if you wish to +succeed your father you ought to improve your situation +by some good marriage. Miss Charlotte is a lovely blonde, +and Miss Sophia, a beautiful brunette, a perfect Spanish +donna."</p> + +<p>"Yes, she has a remarkable resemblance to a donna; +but unfortunately I do not prefer Spanish ladies."</p> + +<p>"Well, then Charlotte possesses an affectionate disposition. +You cannot but admire her fine sensitive nature, +which should kindle a love equalling Werther's love of +Lotta."</p> + +<p>"That is precisely what I fear. How would I look +imitating Werther?"</p> + +<p>"I do not wish you to follow his example. Charlotte +is a girl for whose sake a man might act foolishly, and +still be pardoned—then you prefer Charlotte?"</p> + +<p>"No, above all things in the world I detest preferences."</p> + +<p>"That is to say, you will cheerfully take the one of the +two sisters you most admire after you have had an opportunity +of visiting them a few weeks, and judging of their +good qualities for yourself."</p> + +<p>"Nothing of the kind, dear Aunt."</p> + +<p>"Then, what do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"That I have a great desire to look out for myself in +this matter; and that taking all things into consideration, +I am much too young to think of marriage."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103"></a>"Then you despise your aunt's assistance?"</p> + +<p>"God forbid that such a sentiment should ever enter +my heart. I honor and love God. I am grateful to Him +that He has given me a heart, and I pray Him not to +send me a bride which that heart cannot love."</p> + +<p>"Your words sound well; but I shall not have my little +plot marred by them. Will you or will you not, accompany +me to the parsonage, and conduct yourself as +you should before the young ladies?"</p> + +<p>"I will behave politely towards any young lady; but, +aunt, if you have any other meaning concealed beneath +those words then—I will say no!"</p> + +<p>"You wish to quarrel with me, then. Do you understand +what that means, my dear nephew?"</p> + +<p>"I dare not think of such a misfortune."</p> + +<p>"Yet that misfortune will certainly come. God knows +I would do much for you; but consider upon your words +while you have yet time—you need not trouble yourself to +be present at the fishing excursion this evening."</p> + +<p>"Why so, aunt, am I outlawed?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ulrica Eugenia assumed an air of haughtiness.</p> + +<p>"Then I have fallen into disgrace," continued Gottlieb.</p> + +<p>"I will not deny," replied Mistress Ulrica, coldly, +"that you are on the road to disgrace; but I hope this +wholesome lesson will cause you to think better of my exertions +in your behalf."</p> + +<p>"Of that I have my doubts," thought Gottlieb as his +<a name="Page_104" id="Page_104"></a>aunt majestically left the room; "and yet perhaps it is +foolish on my part not to take her advice.—Oh, why is +not my little nymph of the fountain the possessor of a ton +and a half of gold?—The little creature—hm—She +is really too beautiful!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Fisherman.</span></h3> + + +<p>The usually turbulent lake Wenner, presented, on the +evening of which we are about to write, an unruffled and +mirror-like appearance. In its clear bosom was reflected +the lofty cliffs of mount Kinnekulle, and sloop after sloop +passed over this gigantic image until a puffing steamboat +dashed over it and the picture was lost in the foaming +spray in her wake.</p> + +<p>Almvik was situated on a truly romantic spot near the +margin of the lake, of which a magnificent view could be +obtained from the mansion. The surface of the lake this +evening presented a pleasing spectacle. Fishes were leaping +<a name="Page_106" id="Page_106"></a>out of the water near little boats which were swinging +at anchor, or were being pulled by sturdy fishermen who +were going forth to ensnare the subjects of the water +Queen; but the proud Queen, who, from her crystal palace +beheld the danger, commanded her subjects to retreat, and +quickly the sportive fishes hastened to the depths of the +water that afforded them a barrier through which their +enemies could not break.</p> + +<p>In consequence of these manoeuvers on the part of the +water Queen, our friend Mr. Fabian, who frequently endeavored +to capture her subjects, was invariably unsuccessful. +Undoubtedly this must have been a source of +much misery to the poor man, for he was situated between +two iron wills, namely that of his wife and that of the +water Queen; the latter would not pay tribute, while the +former demanded with all the firmness of an absolute +monarch, that the tribute should be forced from the water +Queen at all hazards.</p> + +<p>After the above explanation our readers can well imagine +Mr. Fabian's feelings when after having congratulated +himself that his wife's anger with her nephew would occupy +her mind for the entire evening, he received a summons +from her that the boat and fishing tackle were ready +for use.</p> + +<p>Fishing was one of Mistress Ulrica's favorite pastimes, +and although she did not generally participate in it, yet +when she observed her husband's unskillfulness, she would +<a name="Page_107" id="Page_107"></a>indignantly cast aside her parasol, and grasp the fishing +rod. However it may be, whether the water queen below +wished to compliment the earthly queen above,—we +know that ladies are prone to be polite to each other—or +that some truant fish remained behind to become an +easy prey to the enemy, suffice it to say that Mistress +Ulrica was generally fortunate; but she did not—as she +might have done—make use of her advantage, as she +herself would say, "to cause her husband to blush with +shame."</p> + +<p>When the dutiful husband arrived at the landing, he +found his tender wife, standing near the boat, clasping her +child's hand in her own, and our friend was obliged to see +that his jewels were safely seated in the boat. After he +had rowed the skiff out as far as Ulrica thought was proper, +he with many misgivings threw out his line.</p> + +<p>"How strange it is my dear Fabian, that every time you +fish you sit still there on your seat like a perfect automaton!"</p> + +<p>With this preamble, Mistress Ulrica opened the floodgates +of her ill-humor, to which on occasions like the present +especially she gave perfect freedom.</p> + +<p>"An automaton, my dear!"</p> + +<p>"A post, a perfect post. You do not even turn your +head; just as though the company of your wife and child +was the most wearisome thing of your life."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108"></a>But dearest Ulrique Eugenie, I must keep watch for a +bite. If I turn around—"</p> + +<p>"You would not lose the sense of feeling if you should; +but you hope, I suppose, that persons on the shore will +think you master of the boat. Simpleton! What folly +to think that!"</p> + +<p>"Dear Ulrique Eugenie, shall I ask if you have spared +my nephew your ill-humor that you may vent it on me. +It is my opinion—"</p> + +<p>"What is your opinion, sir?"</p> + +<p>"O nothing further than that I am sufficiently burdened +with your natural bad-temper already, without having it +increased by the aid of another."</p> + +<p>"Burdened!—ill-humor—bad temper!—is the man +mad? Do you thus speak to me, your wedded wife, who +bears your stupid indifference; your want of tenderness +and love with angelic forbearance? O, this is too much! +It is shameful! It is undeserved!"</p> + +<p>"Now, now, Ulgenie, do not be so hasty. You know +how patient I am."</p> + +<p>"And what am I, then, to be married to such a musty +husband? Your wife is courted before your very eyes; +you see nothing! you hear nothing!—I could be unfaithful +to you, and even then you would close your eyes. O, fate! +O bitter life! such a husband can drive a wife to desperation, +and from thence it is but one step to madness."</p> + +<p>"Who is again playing the gallant to you?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109"></a>And in this "again," reposed an expression which displayed +that such scenes were not new to him. Mistress +Ulrica, like other women, possessed her weak points, one +of which was that if a gentleman happened to converse +with her pleasantly, she immediately imagined that he was +desperately in love with her. But to her great sorrow, +Mrs. Ulrica, although she possessed entire control over her +husband's actions, never could make an Othello of him. +Had Mr. Fabian but known her desire in this respect, he +could have deprived his wife of her sceptre, and taken up +the reins of matrimonial government himself.</p> + +<p>A tyrannical husband would have been able to bend +Mrs. Ulrica like a reed, and to have trodden her under +his feet which she would willingly have kissed; but now +Mr. Fabian kissed her feet, and therefore she crushed him +to the dust, and although she did not merit the reproach +that Desdemona received, it was, nevertheless, no fault of +his. But of what use would it have been even should +she have merited it? Othello was a fanciful creation +which her husband of all men would have been least willing +to personate.</p> + +<p>"My Fabian," she would say to herself, "my Fabian +can never prove unfaithful to me. He is too much of an +idler, and thinks only of his sofa, pipe and tobacco."</p> + +<p>But we will resume the thread of the worthy couple's +conversation.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110"></a>"Who is again making love to you?" inquired Mr. +Fabian again.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ulrica uplifted her reproachful eyes to Heaven. +"He asks who! he has not even observed it!"</p> + +<p>"No, my dear wife, I have not."</p> + +<p>"And yet he has this entire day—," she turned her +face aside, feigning to conceal a blush.</p> + +<p>"To-day! Why we have had no gentlemen guests to-day, +except the pastor's assistant who came with the +young ladies, and took his departure before they did."</p> + +<p>"No gentlemen guests! As if he, the accomplished +scholar, and entertaining gentleman, was nobody! and it +was nothing that—"</p> + +<p>"Well, what further?"</p> + +<p>"That he, carried away by those charms, that you +have so long observed with indifference, should become +deeply smitten with me."</p> + +<p>"What! Do you think he entertains a secret affection +for you?"</p> + +<p>"Affection, I will not say affection; but passion, which +word your dull brain cannot comprehend, you virtuous +and modest Joseph!" the lady laughed at her own joke, +and then continued, "I am not certain whether I had better +tell the young man that I have discovered his hope; +but I shall be forced to forbid his visiting me, which will +be the same as telling the whole world how this delicate +affair stands."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111"></a>"Will you permit me to give you a little advice?" said +Mr. Fabian.</p> + +<p>"Why not, Fabian, you are my husband, and as such +you have the right to do so."</p> + +<p>"Then I would say, drop the subject where it stands."</p> + +<p>"Are you not fearful! Do you not shudder at the possibility +of an unpleasant event?"</p> + +<p>"O, my dearest Ulgenie, can I for a moment doubt your +strength of soul, your virtue?"</p> + +<p>"It is true I am thus strongly armed, and I thank you, +my dear Fabian, for confiding in my faithfulness."—As +was usual a few cheering sun-beams followed the cooling +shower.—"Forgive me, my dear husband, for harrowing +your feelings; but there are times when even the strongest +minded are weak."</p> + +<p>"You are an exception, my love."</p> + +<p>These confident words had nearly renewed the vexation +within Mistress Ulrica's bosom; but suddenly she was +struck with an idea that caused her to assume a still more +affectionate expression of countenance.</p> + +<p>"We will trouble ourselves no more concerning that +deeply to be pitied young man. I have something else +which I wish to confide to you."</p> + +<p>"Another lover?" inquired Mr. Fabian, widening his +eyes.</p> + +<p>"I refer to a youth, for whose welfare I am deeply concerned."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112"></a>"Explain yourself, my dear."</p> + +<p>"Fabian, you must not hate him, for the young man +does not understand himself, this I will answer for with my +life, and perhaps he only indulges a platonic affection for +one who realizes the romantic ideas which his youthful +imagination had formerly brought forth."</p> + +<p>"You do not mean Gottlieb, do you?" inquired Fabian, +unsuccessfully endeavoring to conceal a laugh.</p> + +<p>"Fabian, why do you speak so sardonically? If in spite +of your watchfulness, his has, unobserved by you, paid a +tribute to your wife's beauty, you must remember that he +did not know he was sinning. It was merely an accident +that made me acquainted with the secret of his heart."</p> + +<p>"Will you permit me to inquire what that accident +was?"</p> + +<p>"With pleasure. I had—I tell you this in confidence—I +had chosen one of the pastor's daughters as his wife; I +invited her to Almvik to-day, but he avoided her presence. +He retired to that solitude which he seeks every evening +either before or after we go out on our drive. A certain +instinctive sentiment causes him to leave the house when +you are absent, and more than all, when I reproached him +for his faults, and pointed to the advantageous match I +had in view for him, he had the boldness to say that he +would retain to himself the right of disposing of his own +heart."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113"></a>"And do you believe, my dear, that you are the first +cause of this trouble?"</p> + +<p>"I have felt grieved at the thought that it might be so, +nothing further."</p> + +<p>"Well, well, dear Ulgenie, I will release you from this +burden on your conscience."</p> + +<p>Mr. Fabian, who always found it a difficult matter to +converse long upon a serious matter, spoke the above +words in a tone of voice especially lively, for his heart was +rejoiced at the thought that now he had an opportunity of +ridding himself of an unwelcome guest, without giving +cause for any one to believe that it was his own desire to +do so.</p> + +<p>"What are you babbling about?" inquired Mistress +Ulrica, sharply, "what do you know about my nephew's +affairs?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing further than that he has had a little love affair +of his own, which occupies his attention during those solitary +walks you referred to a moment ago."</p> + +<p>"He! Gottlieb! Has he dared to fall in love!"</p> + +<p>"Certainly."</p> + +<p>"Impossible!"</p> + +<p>"But I assure you that it is true, and if you will ask +him why he so frequently visits the valley, he certainly will +not deny that he goes there for the purpose of meeting +handsome Nanna, the daughter of old Mr. Lonner. He +reads poetry to her, and under the pretence of teaching +<a name="Page_114" id="Page_114"></a>her the guitar, he finds an opportunity of pressing her +pretty little white hands."</p> + +<p>"If that is true. If he, while he remains under my +roof, enters into such a miserable intrigue, I will—for I +consider it my duty as occupying the place of his mother—I +will to-morrow morning mar his plans. But how did +you learn this?"</p> + +<p>This was a question which Mr. Fabian could not truthfully +answer, for if he should do so, he would have been +obliged to state that he, after his disagreeable parting with +Magde, had taken a roundabout path towards Almvik, +which conducted him so near the valley that he discovered +two persons sitting beneath the tree near the fountain, and +that from that day forward he had closely watched Gottlieb's +movements, so that he might be enabled to hold a +weapon over the one who might perhaps be a spy upon +his own actions.</p> + +<p>It was therefore an accident which opened Mr. Fabian's +eyes to Gottlieb's crime; but he had not wished to play the +part of an accuser, O, no, for such love affairs were common +to all young men, at least he thus assured his wife.</p> + +<p>"Make no excuse for him, sir," interrupted Mistress +Ulrica sharply, "this indeed is excellent, and will become +still richer if not prevented in time. The reproaches of a +mother on the one hand, and the curses of a father on the +other; a seduced girl, perhaps something worse; a criminal +investigation, and a scandal in which our house, and +<a name="Page_115" id="Page_115"></a>possibly ourselves, will figure largely; all this we must +expect. As true as my name is Ulrique Eugenie, this matter +shall have an end, and a speedy end, too."</p> + +<p>"But how will you accomplish that?" inquired Fabian.</p> + +<p>"That I shall attend to myself. Gottlieb has said +that he should like to travel over the mountains into +Norway. Now then he can go to Amal, and from thence +he may commence his journey. He shall have money, but +must obey me."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The following morning, after Mistress Ulrica had convinced +herself by her own eyes of the truth of her husband's +report, for she followed Gottlieb to the meadow +that morning instead of taking her usual ride, Gottlieb was +summoned to her apartment, and underwent an examination +that nearly exhausted his entire stock of patience. The +interview resulted in his determination to accept his aunt's +proposal, that he should take a journey into Norway. He +did not inform Nanna, however, of the cause of his sudden +departure, for he feared that it would grieve her.</p> + +<p>Their last interview was cheered by bright anticipations +of the day when Gottlieb should return and observe the +improvement which Nanna should make, both in her performance +<a name="Page_116" id="Page_116"></a>on the guitar, and in her education; for when +his aunt had made a contract of peace with him, Gottlieb +had insisted that Nanna should have the guitar, to which +clause the old lady consented.</p> + +<p>The young couple parted in the hope of a joyful meeting, +and Gottlieb's farewell kiss did not assist Nanna to +forget him.</p> + +<p>The next day after Gottlieb had taken his departure, Jon +Jonson's sloop arrived in the bay opposite the little cottage +in the valley.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Grief.</span></h3> + + +<p>Nearly two months had elapsed since those remarkable +days on which Nanna had received her first kiss, and +Magde had heard from her husband by the arrival of Jon +Jonson's sloop.</p> + +<p>Great had been her joy when Ragnar's gifts arrived +in safety.—She then thought that everything had come to +a good conclusion. But greatly was she deceived! There +was a man to whom Magde had invariably conducted +herself with cool indifference, and who, after having been +defeated by her in the manner which we have before described +<a name="Page_118" id="Page_118"></a>bestowed upon her a parting glance which had +caused her to shudder as if she had trodden upon a serpent. +And he was indeed a serpent in human guise, for +soon she felt the delayed sting of the venomous reptile.</p> + +<p>Until Ragnar had received his appointment as mate, old +Mr. Lonner had invariably purchased his supplies of the +merchants at Goteborg; but as Ragnar thought that +foreign goods could be obtained much cheaper by procuring +them himself, and sending them home without paying +the duty, he soon persuaded the old man to adopt his +opinion on the subject.</p> + +<p>Until now no unpleasant consequence had resulted +from Ragnar's occasionally smuggling a few articles for +the use of the family; but the old adage says "a pitcher +which goes oft to the fountain is soon broken," and in Ragnar's +case this proverb was verified.</p> + +<p>Yet, for this accident, the custom house officers were +not so much to blame, for not one in that service would +have thought for a moment of searching the cottage in +the valley, unless positive information was received, nay +more, unless that information was accompanied with +threats of exposure, for dereliction of duty. Unfortunately, +the custom house stamp was wanting upon the handkerchiefs, +shawls, and other goods sent by Ragnar, and +the family not only were deprived of them, but were menaced +with fines and penalties, which to pay, was entirely +out of their power. To add to their misfortune their +<a name="Page_119" id="Page_119"></a>protector, Ragnar, who would have soon put an end to +their troubles, had started a few days before the catastrophe, +upon a voyage to Brazil.</p> + +<p>Magde and Nanna wept only when they were alone, or +at least when they were with each other. They concealed +their tears from the old man, his life should not be further +embittered; it was bitter enough already. The little fortune +on which they had hoped to subsist for many months +was entirely swept away. Old Mr. Lonner, however, observed +the secret grief of his daughters, and said to himself:</p> + +<p>"Poor children, you do not know what is yet to +come."</p> + +<p>The smuggled goods were marked with old Mr. Lonner's +name only, and he well knew that a heavy penalty +was yet to follow.</p> + +<p>"We have enjoyed so much happiness, and peace, since +Ragnar and Magde were married," said he encouragingly +to his daughter, "that we should bravely endure a little +misfortune. It is not allotted to man that he should enjoy +a constant season of prosperity."</p> + +<p>But Nanna and Magde smiled sorrowfully as he thus +spoke. The inmates of the cottage now exerted themselves +to the utmost to better their sad condition. Our +friend Carl exerted himself beyond all the others. He +who had neglected the affairs of his own relations for +those of his neighbors, now scarcely had leisure to step +<a name="Page_120" id="Page_120"></a>beyond the boundary line of his father's estate. He was +everything, and did everything so willingly and skilfully, +that it was not necessary for the family to hire any servant +to assist them as they had formerly done, and although +latterly he had been somewhat feeble in health, he cared +not for himself, but worked manfully in wet as well as dry +weather. His troubles and toil were all forgotten, when +Magde would reward him for his efforts with a friendly +nod of her head.</p> + +<p>And when she would say, "You will work yourself to +death, my Carl," he would laugh pleasantly, and immediately +renew his efforts ten fold. He now determined that +after his duties at home were performed, to go among the +neighbors; not to be a nurse for their children, as before, +but to work for wages, and after this when he returned +and placed the money on Magde's weaving loom, a bright +object might have been discovered glistening upon the +crumpled bank-note. It was a tear of joy which Carl had +shed.</p> + +<p>Magde after the first occurrence of this incident, dared +to praise Carl no further. She already perceived the consequence +of so doing, but after the lilacs and lilies had faded, +the tulips, roses and lavender bushes, bloomed, and +however weary Magde might find herself after a day of +toil, she would each evening place elegant boquets in +Carl's flower vases.</p> + +<p>At length, and too soon, the decision in regard to the +<a name="Page_121" id="Page_121"></a>smuggled goods arrived, and as Mr. Lonner was unable +to pay the penalty imposed upon him, he was doomed to +imprisonment. In this their day of trouble, Mr. Lonner +alone retained his courage.</p> + +<p>He well knew in truth to whom they were indebted for +their distress, but he feared nothing. He trusted in the +belief that Magde would do all that was in her power to +raise the sum of money necessary to pay the fine. It was +unfortunate, however, that Magde, without the old man's +knowledge, had expended their small stock of money to +pay a few debts that they had contracted the previous +spring.</p> + +<p>We will not attempt to depict the misery of the moment +when old Mr. Lonner stepped into the boat which was to +conduct him to the prison at Harad which was located on +the opposite side of the lake, and where he was to be confined +for the time being. Both of his daughters wished +to accompany him to the opposite shore; but he forbade +them so seriously that they dared not press their desires +further.</p> + +<p>It was touching to observe these sorrow stricken +females, amidst their terror search high and low in the +cottage for various articles of comfort for their beloved +father. At length, with a slight degree of sorrowful impatience +old Mr. Lonner ordered the boatmen to push +off from the shore, and then it was piteous in the extreme +to behold both Magde and Nanna, as they clung to the +<a name="Page_122" id="Page_122"></a>gunwale, to whisper their tearful adieu's, and to promise +that they would pay him a visit in his prison in a few +days.</p> + +<p>Finally the bitter moment was over; the boat rapidly +proceeded from the land; but so long as they could discern +the old man's white locks fluttering in the breeze and +even until the boat appeared a speck in the distance, Nanna +and Magde remained on the shore gazing out upon the +water.</p> + +<p>In the meantime Carl without the knowledge of the +family had proceeded to the opposite shore of the lake, +and when the boat which contained his father touched the +shore, Carl greeted him tenderly and presented him with +a ten dollar bank note. This was a treasure indeed, and +Carl had obtained it by selling the only article of value which +he possessed. It was a silver watch, which his mother +had given him before she died.</p> + +<p>On his return home that evening he remarked:—"Father +need not fear. He can live in his prison rolling in +riches; a gentleman met him on the other shore and +loaned him ten dollars."</p> + +<p>How Magde and Nanna blessed the kind hearted gentleman; +but their joy was but momentary. What should +they do now? How should they provide for themselves +in this unexpected trouble. Their poor neighbors like +themselves, were moneyless, and their wealthy neighbors +<a name="Page_123" id="Page_123"></a>would undoubtedly require some security before they +would loan them money.</p> + +<p>Nanna often looked towards the spot in the meadow, +so full of pleasant memories. If her kind friend would only +return. He certainly, would be able to advise them +how to act in their present strait.</p> + +<p>Three days elapsed after the old man's departure, and +many were the plans formed by Magde, but the only apparently +feasible one, was that which she would most unwillingly +undertake to carry into effect. She was perfectly +convinced that the proprietor of Almvik would willingly +assist her; but he would do it <i>too</i> willingly, for afterwards +he would cause her to feel that she was in his debt.</p> + +<p>"But," thought she in a maze of doubt and fear, "what +shall I do? Is it better to remain as we are and allow the +poor old man to languish in prison, or to go to Almvik, +and thus receive the only boon our father wishes, liberty? +But what would Ragnar advise me to do. He loves his +father as he does the apple of his eye; but his wife he +loves as he does his own heart—And then if he should +imagine that Mr. Fabian H—— —Oh! my God! what +trouble would then arise!—but again I shall not be +able to assist the old man—no, no, that will not do, I +can hold out no longer."</p> + +<p>Magde had no person with whom to consult, for what +advice could poor Carl give? Nanna was a mere child, +<a name="Page_124" id="Page_124"></a>and Magde felt that she could not consult her upon such +an intricate question.</p> + +<p>She had conversed with the parson concerning her trouble, +yet although he was not backward in giving her good +advice, he nevertheless refused to assist her with his purse, +for he was as miserly as he was wealthy.</p> + +<p>The time had now arrived when Magde could no longer +postpone the promised visit to her father, and all the +members of the family wished to go upon this little pilgrimage. +Great were the preparations that were made +to supply themselves with a sufficient quantity of provisions +which they were to take to the old man. Magde +baked pan-cakes, and Nanna made pies, and if a smile did +appear on Magde's lips it was when they spoke of the +pleasant surprise they were preparing for their father.</p> + +<p>At length the moment for their departure arrived. +Even little Christine and the favorite dog Carlo, were to +form a portion of the company, that they might be able to +see their old friend. The children leaped with joy.</p> + +<p>They thought only of the pleasant trip over the swelling +billows of the lake. Magde finished lading the skiff; but +her heart was overflowing with grief, for she had no glad +tidings with which to gladden the heart of the old man.</p> + +<p>Nanna who during the busy activity of the morning had +successfully endeavored to suppress her sorrow, was so +much overcome as she was about stepping into the boat that +she nearly fainted. She saw in her imagination the pale and +<a name="Page_125" id="Page_125"></a>suffering countenance of her father; who was however +smiling patiently as he stood ready to greet his children, +that were to leave him again in his dreary and lonely prison.</p> + +<p>The poor child in anticipation suffered all the pangs of +a second farewell with her imprisoned parent.</p> + +<p>"It will not do for you to accompany us," said Magde +in a firm and motherly tone, "you are ill, and therefore +had better return."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid," replied Nanna trembling violently, "that +I shall be obliged to do so. Give my love to him, and tell +him—" and now her long suppressed tears burst forth +in torrents—"tell him if I do not come, it is not because +I do not love him."</p> + +<p>"Silence, silence my poor sister, I know myself what I +have to say—Go and may God be with you—here is +the key—Lock the door—Carl take the oars."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Banishment—The Re-Union.</span></h3> + + +<p>When Magde's boat passed the mansion at Almvik, +two persons were walking on the verge of the shore near +the lake. The one was Mistress Ulrica, and her companion +was Gottlieb, who had returned a few days before, +from his trip through Norway.</p> + +<p>As the boat shot round a rocky point of land, Gottlieb +exclaimed, as he recognized its occupants, and bowed +friendly to them: "Where are they all going! They look +so sorrowful and dejected!"</p> + +<p>"Sorrowful!" repeated Mrs. Ulrica, "you may thank<a name="Page_127" id="Page_127"></a> +God that it is not necessary for you to participate in the +sorrows of the lower classes."</p> + +<p>"If they are in trouble, I do not see why I should not +sympathise with them."</p> + +<p>Aunt Ulrica shook her head with a dissatisfied expression +of countenance.</p> + +<p>"You may certainly boast of your firmness of mind, and +your knowledge of human nature; I have shown you the +danger of associating with such persons. I sent you +away—I—"</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon," interrupted Gottlieb, hastily, "I +was not <i>sent</i> away. I took a journey which I had decided +on myself, and returned as I departed, with a heart ever +ready to sympathise with the afflicted."</p> + +<p>"Then go, and participate in the sorrows of your beggar +friends. I suppose, from your liberal words, that you +are well supplied with money."</p> + +<p>"What has happened to them?"</p> + +<p>"The old man, in connection with his son, has been detected +in smuggling foreign goods, and of course his +property was confiscated. The old gentleman in whose +name the business was transacted, was sent to prison because +he had no money to pay the penalty, and there he +will remain until you go to his release."</p> + +<p>"And he shall not wait long," replied Gottlieb. "I +have accomplished greater undertakings than that in my +time."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128"></a>"Ah, ha," sneered Mrs. Ulrica, "you speak boldly, boy. +I am astonished."</p> + +<p>"If any one should be astonished, I am the person."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!"</p> + +<p>"I come to relatives who at first welcomed me cordially. +My affections attached themselves to my kind friends, for +it is a necessary quality for me to be grateful; but suddenly +everything is changed, and I am treated like a school +boy, whom you must curb, or else fear that he might commit +some folly. To this description of guardianship I +have not been accustomed, and as it is not my desire to +submit to your control, I must beg you, Aunt Ulrica, not +to attempt to govern me in this manner, for I assure you +that your efforts will always be fruitless."</p> + +<p>"Foolish boy! You forget that I could be useful to +you; could smooth your path by my wealth and influence."</p> + +<p>"I do not forget it, and I should have been very happy +to have been able to retain your good will; but at the +price of my liberty of thought and action, I do not desire +your favor."</p> + +<p>"Then you will return to the valley, to Miss Nanna."</p> + +<p>"Undoubtedly. She requires my presence, and I long +to see her."</p> + +<p>"Then you still love the young girl?" inquired Mrs. +Ulrica.</p> + +<p>"I do not know whether I loved her when I departed +<a name="Page_129" id="Page_129"></a>from Almvik; but this much I do know, that her image +has been with me constantly during my absence; and that +I shall see her again to-day."</p> + +<p>"To tell her of this folly?"</p> + +<p>"O, no, that would be unjust, as I can tell her nothing +more."</p> + +<p>"Thank Heaven for that! You, yourself, see that it +would be impossible to—"</p> + +<p>"What?" inquired Gottlieb, as his aunt paused.</p> + +<p>"To marry her."</p> + +<p>"I do not at all consider it impossible; but as it is uncertain +whether I ought to wed Nanna when the time +arrives for me to marry, it is better for both of us that we +should rest satisfied with friendship alone."</p> + +<p>"Listen to me, Gottlieb. Sometimes you speak so +wisely that I am not certain but that it would repay me +to make a proposal to you."</p> + +<p>"Well, I am all attention."</p> + +<p>"If I am not much mistaken, pity is the only sentiment +that you feel for that girl, Nanna. If I was to take it +upon myself to pay the old man's fine; if I should further +promise you to provide for Nanna's future maintenance—you +know I would not break my word—will you bind +yourself not to see her again?"</p> + +<p>"No, I will never do that. She would be oppressed +with sorrow throughout her whole life, if I should be +capable of making such an unworthy promise."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130"></a>"Obstinate youth! you force me to perform my duty +to your mother my sister, and command you to visit Almvik +no longer. I will not burden my conscience by abetting +you in your misconduct."</p> + +<p>"I will remain a few days longer," replied Gottlieb +without evincing the slightest emotion, "to rest myself +after my journey, and then I shall be ready to obey your +command."</p> + +<p>"Right," muttered Mrs. Ulrica hotly, as she hastily +left the young man, "you shall repent this."</p> + +<p>Without wasting time by thinking upon this conversation +with his aunt, Gottlieb hastened on the road towards +the little cottage. He had observed Nanna was not in the +boat, and after proceeding to the spring, and fruitlessly +searching for her, he hurried to the cottage, his +heart beating with such rapidity as he stood before the +door, that he was astonished at his great emotion.</p> + +<p>"Illness could not have prevented her from going with +them," thought he, "certainly not, or they would have +remained with her."</p> + +<p>Thus thinking he knocked at the door; but he was +obliged to repeat the summons several times before he +heard the sound of slow footsteps approaching.</p> + +<p>"Who is there?" inquired a soft voice from within.</p> + +<p>"'Tis I, Nanna!"</p> + +<p>An exclamation of joyful surprise was the only reply. +The bolt was quickly thrown back; the door opened, and<a name="Page_131" id="Page_131"></a> +Nanna appeared upon the threshold, pale and careworn. +She was clothed in her only holiday dress, a black merino +frock which fitted closely around her neck, thereby disclosing +her graceful bust to its best advantage.</p> + +<p>Without speaking, but overwhelmed with her joyful +emotions, she cast herself in Gottlieb's arms, and never +was there a purer embrace given or returned than on this +occasion. With tender gentleness Gottlieb imprinted his +second kiss upon her lips, and then said softly:—</p> + +<p>"Poor Nanna, poor child, you have at least one friend +in your adversity."</p> + +<p>"Then Gottlieb is acquainted with—" She blushingly +withdrew herself from his embrace. She had not thought +that her greeting had been contrary to customary usage.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know your sorrow; and you may rest assured +that I will give myself no rest, during the few days that I +remain here, until I see your father at liberty and safely +in his own house again."</p> + +<p>"O, if that were but possible!" she clasped her hands +and lifted her eyes, confidingly, to the face of her youthful +friend.</p> + +<p>"It shall be possible, Nanna. You have my word for +it. If I had been here it would not have happened."</p> + +<p>"I thought so. An inner voice told me that if <i>he</i> +would only come to us all would be well again."</p> + +<p>"I am grateful for your confidence and shall always +remember it with pleasure."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132"></a>"Remember it!" exclaimed Nanna, "are you going to +leave us again?"</p> + +<p>Nanna again clasped her hands, and this action and the +mournful expression of her countenance spoke more than +words could have expressed.</p> + +<p>"Will you miss me, Nanna?"</p> + +<p>"Always."</p> + +<p>"And perhaps wish we had never met?" inquired Gottlieb +earnestly.</p> + +<p>"Ah, no," replied Nanna warmly, "the remembrance +of you will perhaps work a happier future for me than I +would have had without it."</p> + +<p>"But tell me," said Gottlieb changing the subject to +one less dangerous, "why did not your sister apply to the +proprietor of Almvik."</p> + +<p>"O, she would never apply to him. She would rather +allow things to take their own course."</p> + +<p>"Why so?"</p> + +<p>"I know not whether I dare tell you. Papa and +Magde, consider me a mere child, yet I can understand +that Mr. H—— has sought her with wrong motives, and +if I can believe my brother, Carl—"</p> + +<p>"What then?" interrupted Gottlieb eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Then I can believe that all of our troubles have originated +in the fact that Magde refused to give that gentleman +a kiss when he requested it."</p> + +<p>"What, did he wish to purchase a kiss?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133"></a>"Yes, for Carl's pardon," and now Nanna related every +circumstance connected with the theft of the game, in nearly +the same words in which she had heard it from Carl.</p> + +<p>After a short season of reflection, during which he compared +the different circumstances, Gottlieb arrived at the +same conclusion that Carl had expressed to his sister; and +at the same time he also fancied that he had discovered a +method for old Mr. Lonner's release, which could not fail +of success. In the meantime he merely inquired whether +Mr. Fabian H—— had visited the cottage since his discomfiture.</p> + +<p>"I have several times observed him prowling about the +premises," replied Nanna; "he probably hoped to have an +opportunity of seeing Magde alone, which however he has +never had, for even should he offer his assistance, she +would not have dared to accept it, for if she did, Ragnar +would be very angry."</p> + +<p>When Gottlieb returned to Almvik, he learned that his +worthy uncle, whom as he before knew had left the house +early that morning, was not expected to return until late +in the evening. In consequence of this unfortunate circumstance, +Gottlieb saw nothing before him except a vexatious +delay in his intended operations; but it soon entered +his mind that Mr. Fabian's absence might be connected +in some degree with his wayward love. The day on which +he had visited Magde, in order to take advantage of Carl's +theft, he had also departed from Almvik in the morning,<a name="Page_134" id="Page_134"></a> +for during the evening hours his wife was invariably on the +watch.</p> + +<p>The more Gottlieb considered this circumstance the more +he was convinced that if his uncle had sown the seed it +was done for his own benefit, and undoubtedly the time +was now at hand when he should reap the harvest.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" thought Gottlieb, "if I should only be so fortunate +as to obtain a power over my uncle, my suspicions +and conjectures would exert a powerful influence upon his +yielding disposition, especially, if I should place his wife in +the back-ground. But to surprise him, with my own eyes +in forbidden grounds, would be as good as to have old +Mr. Lonner safe back in his cottage again."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Prisoner.</span></h3> + + +<p>While the incidents last narrated were transpiring on +the one side of the lake, Magde's boat had reached the +other, and the occupants of the boat were about landing, +yes, Carl had even secured the boat to the stake, when +one of the little ones in attempting to reach the landing, +fell overboard with a loud cry.</p> + +<p>The young and always self-possessed mother, answered +the boy's cry, not by crying out herself, but by springing +into the water after him, and when Carl turned to learn +the cause of the confusion, she had already reached her +<a name="Page_136" id="Page_136"></a>little boy, and was holding him up at arm's length out of +the water. It was all done in a moment, without the least +unnecessary confusion.</p> + +<p>"Carl," said she quietly, "take the boy."</p> + +<p>But Carl had lost his self-possession entirely. After +he had literally thrown the boy on the landing, he inquired +with a trembling voice:—</p> + +<p>"Could you not wait for me? The boy would not have +sunk immediately."</p> + +<p>"You must not scold me, Carl, I am only a little wet."</p> + +<p>She then quietly drew herself to the shore.</p> + +<p>"How will you dry yourself now?" inquired Carl in a +tone of uneasiness and vexation.</p> + +<p>"O, easily, I will call on Mother Larsson and borrow a +dress to wear while we visit our father, and my clothing +will be dry by the time we return."</p> + +<p>Carl was silent. He was displeased because Magde +had not called him to her assistance. Meanwhile he proceeded +with the children to the prison, that he might prepare +the old man for the visit. Magde did not tarry long +at Mother Larsson's. As soon as she had obtained the +necessary garments, she hurried on, clothed in a neat peasant's +frock which fitted her fine form gracefully.</p> + +<p>The prison at Harad was located in the ruins of an old +castle. Its outward appearance presented a dark and forbidding +aspect. The heart of the beholder would contract +within him as he gazed upon those ruins of fallen greatness, +<a name="Page_137" id="Page_137"></a>as they reposed before him, dark and deserted, like +an evil omen in his path.</p> + +<p>But the interior of the prison, with its tottering weather +beaten projections, apparently ready to fall from their resting +places, presented an appearance still more gloomy +and forbidding. Dampness, and mould of a hundred +years growth had obliterated all traces of the fresco paintings +that had formerly ornamented the ceiling, on which +the moisture had gathered and fell at regular intervals +with a hollow patter upon the stone pavement below.</p> + +<p>The places once occupied by glittering chandeliers were +now shrouded with immense spider webs, in which a whole +colony of spiders lived subsisting on the noisome vapors +of this gloomy charnel like abode.</p> + +<p>Aside from these poisonous insects, an occasional rat, +and a few unfortunate prisoners, there were no other inhabitants +in this dark prison. A flock of jackdaws had +built their nest beneath the eaves of the old castle, and as +they received good treatment from the prisoners they +would pay them a passing visit at their grated windows +to look in upon them or to receive a few crumbs of bread. +Old Mr. Lonner had already made their acquaintance and +derived much pleasure from attending to their little wants, +while he anxiously awaited the arrival of his children.</p> + +<p>When Magde arrived she found Carl had prepared the +way for her so that she, without hindrance, proceeded +directly to the old man's cell. Mr. Lonner was deeply +<a name="Page_138" id="Page_138"></a>moved by the visit of his children; but he appeared perfectly +resigned. Magde's two children were seated upon +his knees, while Carl was standing before him relating +all that had transpired during his imprisonment. The +cloud which had rested upon the old man's brow changed +instantly to an expression of joy when he beheld Magde +the wife of his beloved son, enter the room. His arms +trembled as he embraced her, and his heart throbbed painfully +when she described her sorrows and troubles, and +told him that Nanna had nearly fainted as they were about +entering the boat, at the mere thought of the second +parting.</p> + +<p>"It was right to leave her behind," said Mr. Lonner, +"and if we can only find some means whereby I may be +released before the autumn, that the cold may not increase +my feebleness, then—"</p> + +<p>"Means must be found, father, I think, of immediately +going to the city, to take our cow and the two sheep with +me, aside from those I will also take the piece of linen +which I have made for Ragnar's shirts. By adding all +these together I—"</p> + +<p>"But, dear daughter, if you sell the cow, how will these +little ones prosper?" He clasped his hands upon the two +little white heads of the children who were sitting in his +lap.</p> + +<p>"O, I can borrow some milk of our neighbors, and we +<a name="Page_139" id="Page_139"></a>can repay them in the fall, after Ragnar returns, for then +we shall have another cow."</p> + +<p>"That will never do, my child. We must discover +some other method."</p> + +<p>"I had an idea, also," said Carl, advancing from a corner +into which he had withdrawn when Magde entered.</p> + +<p>"What is it, my good boy?" inquired his father.</p> + +<p>"I was thinking about that which Ragnar has so often +told us, about the people in England who procured money +by pawning themselves—what was it he called it?" continued +he, scratching his head to arouse his memory.</p> + +<p>"Life Insurance, was it not?" replied his father.</p> + +<p>"That's it, father, and Ragnar also told me that even +here in Sweden, gold might be obtained from England on +such terms. Now, if we could find some one who understood +this matter, and would undertake to draw up the +proper writings, I would willingly give my life as security, +and then you see, father, I should be just the same as so +much ready money."</p> + +<p>"My good son, your words are well intended; but it is +not as you think in relation to Life Insurance."</p> + +<p>"O, that is too bad, father, or you might have received +a large sum of money when I am dead."</p> + +<p>"My life, I hope, will be finished before yours," said his +father, "I am old, and you are young."</p> + +<p>"True, I am young in years; but lately, yes, last Friday, +<a name="Page_140" id="Page_140"></a>while I passed through the church yard, I heard a +voice, and that voice I believed."</p> + +<p>"What ideas you invent!" exclaimed Magde, frightened +for the first time, as she observed Carl's hollow cheeks and +sunken eye, "but what did the voice say?"</p> + +<p>"'Carl, Carl, Carl,' it said, calling my name three times, +'you will not live long.'"</p> + +<p>"Your brain is weak, my boy, because you have worked +too hard. When your body has received rest, and rest it +must have, you will feel much better. But tell me, Carl, +what you thought when you imagined you heard the +voice."</p> + +<p>"I did not think, but merely replied, 'indeed.'"</p> + +<p>"But, Carl, with this superstition you will make your +father sorrowful."</p> + +<p>"Sorrowful? I do not think so. Should he be sorrowful +because our Saviour in his grace is willing to call +me to his fold? Instead of being sorrowful, the day +of my departure should be a festive day. How many +troubles do we escape after we are placed in the earth!"</p> + +<p>"But if you think in that manner, you will become +mournful yourself, you will not be able to laugh any +more."</p> + +<p>"Not laugh," replied Carl, and without an effort he +commenced laughing merrily. His face glowed with +mirthfulness, and his melancholy humor seemed to have +vanished as if by magic. It appeared so strange to him +<a name="Page_141" id="Page_141"></a>that Magde should desire him to laugh, that he forgot all +about the life insurance or the warning voice, and once thus +engaged, he took no farther part in the consultation.</p> + +<p>An hour elapsed, and Magde, after having emptied the +basket of its contents, experienced a return from the hope +that had sustained her during the interview, to her former +despondency, as the moment of parting approached. Carl +proceeded in advance to prepare the boat.</p> + +<p>"In four days, at the furtherest, I shall return," said +Magde, pausing upon the threshold of her father's cell, +"and then, as I hope for Ragnar's continued love, I shall +bring you good tidings."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, my dear Magde. Ragnar shall learn all +that you have done for his old father. Kiss Nanna, poor +little innocent, for me, and tell her that she must not come +here, for it will only make her heart more heavy and +sad."</p> + +<p>A moment later, and the creaking doors resounded +throughout the ruins, the prisoner was again alone.</p> + +<p>But once more did he hear a dear voice, for when +Magde arrived at the outside, she remembered with a feeling +of uneasiness, that her youngest child had not been +blessed by its grandfather. In the haste of departure, the +little one had been entirely forgotten; but as it was impossible +for her to leave the prison with the dear child unblessed, +she stood beneath the grated window, and exclaimed:</p> + +<p><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142"></a>"Father, dear father, please look through the window, +and I will hold up the baby for you, that you may give it +your blessing."</p> + +<p>Immediately the old man's white head appeared at the +window, and Magde held the child aloft in her hands +towards him.</p> + +<p>And now everything was performed rightly; the last +farewell glances were exchanged, and then Magde and her +children disappeared from the old man's sight.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Gottlieb on the Watch.</span></h3> + + +<p>The heat of the day had been followed by the pleasant +coolness of an August evening. The hands of the clock +pointed to the hour of ten, and Gottlieb, who had been +walking during the entire evening in the neighborhood +of the little red cottage, began to think that his uncle Fabian +had in all comfort reached his home by another +road.</p> + +<p>"It is so quiet in the cottage," thought he, "that I think +they have all retired."</p> + +<p>He glanced stealthily over the lilac hedge towards<a name="Page_144" id="Page_144"></a> +Magde's window. The entire valley was bathed in moonlight, +and the moonbeams glanced directly through the +window panes of Magde's apartment, with such vivid +brightness that Gottlieb was undecided how to act.</p> + +<p>Soon, however, he resolved to convince himself of the +true state of affairs, that he might be prepared if his uncle +should arrive.</p> + +<p>He gradually made an opening in the hedge and having +found his way clear before him he advanced to the window +which, as the weather was warm, was secured only by a +small cord. He glanced through the window, and a beautiful +picture met his gaze. In this chamber, the husband +and wife's little temple, the moonlight was brilliantly +reflected from Ragnar's brightly polished hunting and +fishing implements which, neatly arranged, were hung +against the walls.</p> + +<p>At the opposite side of the room, a much worn sailor's +hat, commonly called a tarpaulin, was balanced upon the +point of a fishing rod, and beneath this trophy was placed +a small side board, the open doors of which disclosed a +number of shelves laden with gilt edged drinking vessels +of white and blue china; a set of rose colored tea-cups, +and several polished silver plated mugs. A few uncommonly +excellent specimens of carving in wood, decorated +one of the shelves, and another shelf contained several articles +of jewelry which Magde had received both before +and after she was married. All these little valuables<a name="Page_145" id="Page_145"></a> +Magde had gathered together, after she had put the children +to bed, in the hope that she might find some few articles +among them that would save her from disposing of +the cow.</p> + +<p>But her search, undoubtedly, had proved fruitless, for +Magde's ornaments were made almost entirely of bronze.</p> + +<p>Seated in a chair with her hand resting upon the cradle, +Magde was now sleeping soundly.</p> + +<p>She had been called, probably, while she was engaged +in assorting her little treasures, to attend to the wants of +her infant, and overcome by fatigue had unwillingly submitted +to the power of that consoler of human grief, sleep. +Her face was turned towards the window, and the moonlight +illumined her entire figure, which was rendered more +prominent by the fact that the cradle stood in the centre +of the room. She was still attired in the garments she +had borrowed, and her brown hair, fell in two long braids +over her loose white sleeves, from whence they dropped +upon the face of the sleeping child, while Magde's elbow +was resting upon the little pillow.</p> + +<p>"What a picture for a painter!" thought Gottlieb. +"Young Lonner is not the most miserable of men, by my +faith; but I know one who at some future time will look +much prettier in that position!"</p> + +<p>The dull sound of a horse's hoofs, aroused him from his +reveries.</p> + +<p>"Ah, ha," thought he as a smile of triumph played upon +<a name="Page_146" id="Page_146"></a>his lips, "I was right. We shall now see what is to happen."</p> + +<p>Gottlieb returned to his hiding place in the hedge with +noiseless rapidity. He had not remained long in his somewhat +tiresome position, when the sound of the horse's +hoofs ceased, and from the noise which proceeded from +the other side of the hedge he concluded that the owner +of the horse had dismounted and was securing his animal +to a tree.</p> + +<p>He soon heard the sound of light footsteps proceeding +over the grass, and then he discovered the familiar form +of Mr. Fabian approaching the cottage. After the new +comer had assured himself that the door was fastened he +advanced to the window near which Gottlieb had been +standing a moment before. Instead of spending time in useless +watchfulness he immediately tapped upon the window; +but Magde slept so soundly that the noise did not disturb +her.</p> + +<p>Mr. Fabian flatted his nose against the window pane +and suddenly discovered the picture that Gottlieb had so +much admired. Yet it was not an expression of love +which passed his lips as he gazed upon her.</p> + +<p>"Confound that woman!" he exclaimed, "she drives +me mad, and I believe she would look on, if I was parching +with thirst in the torments of hell, and not give me a +single drop of water."</p> + +<p>He again tapped upon the pane so loudly, that a person +<a name="Page_147" id="Page_147"></a>less fatigued than Magde would have awakened. At +this moment Mr. Fabian was struck with fear at his own +temerity.</p> + +<p>"Only think," thought he, "suppose I should awaken +some one else! What if an account of this should come +to my wife's ear!"—the thought was terrible, and the +guilty husband's knees trembled violently. So much +did he respect his "dear Ulgenie," that he felt it even at +his present distance from her, and perhaps he would have +relinquished all his plans in relation to his beautiful Magde, +had he not discovered that the window was fastened only +with a small cord.</p> + +<p>To break off a small twig from a neighboring bush, and +to thrust it through the crevice of the window and remove +the cord from the hook, was the work of an instant, and +before Gottlieb could fully understand the nature of his +uncle's movements he saw him suddenly disappear +through the window.</p> + +<p>Of course Magde was now awakened by the noise of +Mr. Fabian's abrupt entrance, and she quickly sprang from +the chair. When she recognized the intruder she was +seized with a deathly fear; which was however but of +momentary continuance. With flashing eyes, and +haughtily curling lips she advanced towards him with +a bearing so threatening that Mr. H—— retreated in +fear.</p> + +<p>"Why do you visit me at this hour?" she inquired.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148"></a>"I was unable to come earlier. I have been to see the +justice and made such arrangements that I think Mr. +Lonner can be released as early as to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"And to speak these words—undoubtedly well intended—you +have crawled through my window."</p> + +<p>"Upon my honor it was not my fault. I knocked several +times, and not wishing to go home without telling +you this good news, which I thought would cause you to +sleep better—and observing you had not retired—I seized +the only opportunity remaining."</p> + +<p>"Well," replied she, "I do not think harm will result +from your friendly visit, but as it is out of the order of +things that you should remain here, I must request you to +leave the room in the manner you entered, and then I can +converse with you through the window."</p> + +<p>"Cruel Magde!" exclaimed Mr. Fabian entreatingly, and +even dared to extend his hand towards her. But Magde +repulsed him with a look of scorn and anger.</p> + +<p>"Travel no further upon this crooked path, and call me +Magde no longer, I bear the name of my husband, and +wish to be called by that title alone."</p> + +<p>Gottlieb who could observe and overhear all that occurred, +or was said in Magde's chamber, could scarcely +refrain from laughter as he saw his good uncle retreating +before the virtuous woman until he arrived at the window +from which he somewhat clumsily descended. Gottlieb +was on the point of rushing forward to receive his loved relative +<a name="Page_149" id="Page_149"></a>in his arms and thus preventing him from injuring his +precious limbs, when the sound of Magde's voice prevented +him from rendering this important service to his uncle.</p> + +<p>"There, that will do," said she, "we can now converse +without inconvenience to either of us. I hope Mr. H—— has +not hurt himself."</p> + +<p>"O, never mind me," replied he, "your heart is too +hard to be moved at my sufferings."</p> + +<p>"I wish to say a word to you, Mr. H——. Your labor +is entirely thrown away upon me. I can pity the +folly of a man if his folly is not evil; but—"</p> + +<p>"Am I evil? Try me," interrupted Mr. Fabian hastily.</p> + +<p>"I will," replied Magde. "If you will bind yourself to +release my father I shall ever be grateful for the service."</p> + +<p>"And nothing further?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing."</p> + +<p>"Then, at least give me your hand that I may with it +wipe away the tears that scald my eyes. I am a weak, +a tender hearted man, and must weep when I am scoffed +at. But never mind, give me your hand, a moment."</p> + +<p>"It is impossible."</p> + +<p>"Give me but your little finger."</p> + +<p>In lieu of a reply, Magde endeavored to close the window; +but her admirer prevented her from doing so.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" exclaimed he furious at his defeat. "You wish +to enjoy a boon, and not reward the donor. Then listen, +<a name="Page_150" id="Page_150"></a>the old man shall remain where he is. If I do not interest +myself for him no one else will."</p> + +<p>"That remains to be seen. Mr. Gottlieb has returned—"</p> + +<p>"Ah! then, he has returned. Well, what can he do?"</p> + +<p>"Not much, my dear uncle," exclaimed Gottlieb advancing +towards Mr. Fabian, "except to give my dear +aunt Ulrica, a full account of the interesting conversation I +have accidentally overheard."</p> + +<p>"Without replying Mr. Fabian stared a moment in bewildered +surprise, at the intruder, and then rushing wildly +to his horse, he mounted and urged the animal to a furious +speed.</p> + +<p>"Well, well," exclaimed Magde, "we can well compare +Mr. H—— to a hare. But Mr. Gottlieb, whatever chance +brought you here, do not bring sorrow upon him, by +speaking to his wife of this adventure."</p> + +<p>"Fear not, Mrs. Lonner, I have not been on the watch +here to become an informer; but as I heard certain things +from Nanna to-day, and as I from the first have suspected +my uncle, and as I wished to have him in my power—"</p> + +<p>"I understand you Mr. Gottlieb. You are an honest +and faithful friend, and we shall never forget—"</p> + +<p>"And I, Mrs. Lonner," interrupted Gottlieb, "I shall +not forget this valley I assure you, and now good night; +in a short time everything will be as it was before."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151"></a>"Thank you, a thousand times! When Ragnar returns, +through God's assistance we will repay you."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Gottlieb's heart bounded with joy, as he proceeded on +his road towards Almvik, but the heart of another traveller +in the same direction was oppressed with gloomy forebodings. +It is almost unnecessary to say that the latter +traveller was Mr. Fabian H——. On his arrival at Almvik +he entered his wife's chamber trembling with anxiety, +lest Gottlieb had been there before him.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter with you?" inquired his wife, who +had already retired to her bed; "has the horse been +balky, or have you met with an accident?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing, nothing, darling Ulgenie; but my head has +been heavy all the afternoon."</p> + +<p>"That is caused by your excessive sleeping," said Mrs. +Ulrica.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it is. Hereafter I shall sleep less, and after +this, my dear wife, I will follow your advice in everything."</p> + +<p>"Then, my dear, you will be a good husband. If I +should always find you so, I would not have so many +causes for complaint."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152"></a>"Have you any complaint to make now?" inquired Mr. +Fabian, anxiously.</p> + +<p>Mr. Fabian was in a state of fearful suspense. The air +to him appeared populated with evil spirits.</p> + +<p>"I did not speak thus for the purpose of troubling you, +dear Fabian, it would not be just for me to choose this +moment, when you feel so repentant, to remind you of +other moments when you do not seem impressed with the +worth of your wife."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, that would indeed be cruel, for it is true, +really true, that—that—"</p> + +<p>"What, Fabian, good Fabian?"</p> + +<p>"That I never before have so much esteemed and +adored you, my dear, dear—" He was unable to +proceed.</p> + +<p>"Ah! Fabian, that is the true spirit. You at last +understand how happy you are."</p> + +<p>"Yes, as happy as the condemned sinner," sighed +Fabian; but in such a manner that his wife heard the first +word only.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Festival.</span></h3> + + +<p>The next morning, when Gottlieb awoke, he discovered +that he had a visitor even at that early hour of the day. +His uncle Fabian was pacing backward and forward at +the side of his nephew's bed, with a countenance so +wretched and woe begone, that Gottlieb could not but pity +him.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, uncle," said Gottlieb, cheerfully, "how +is your health?"</p> + +<p>"Why do you ask?"</p> + +<p>"Your voice sounds just as if I was a robber demanding +your purse or your life. What is the matter?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154"></a>"That which you told me yesterday makes your comparison +very apt."</p> + +<p>"You are mistaken. It is not my intention to play the +part of the famous Rinaldo Rinaldini. I am the most +peaceable person in the world, and if you wish to remain +at peace at home—which is very natural, you know—I +have no desire to prevent you from doing so."</p> + +<p>"But, perhaps, you intend to demand from me three +times the sum of money necessary to fee a lawyer, to bribe +you to secrecy."</p> + +<p>"Shame upon you. I have not demanded anything. I +only expect—"</p> + +<p>"What?" inquired his uncle.</p> + +<p>"That you will of your own free will and accord loan +me the money necessary to pay old Mr. Lonner's fine. In +a few months, when Ragnar Lonner returns and repays +me, I will settle with you. If he does not repay me, why +it is but a small sum to lose."</p> + +<p>"And what will you require for yourself?" inquired +Mr. Fabian.</p> + +<p>"Shall I peddle out my secret like a Jew? I swear by +my honor that I will not divulge to my aunt one word of +all that has passed."</p> + +<p>Mr. Fabian thrust his hand into his capacious pocket, +and withdrawing his purse, with a sigh counted the money +into Gottlieb's hand.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155"></a>"I shall not give you my note for this, for if I am not +repaid I do not expect to repay you."</p> + +<p>His uncle did not immediately reply, but after opening +and closing his purse several times, he addressed his +nephew in a tone which displayed deep and true emotion.</p> + +<p>"Gottlieb," said he, "I am not miserly. You have +spared me when you might have prepared a place of torment +for me. I am grateful. Have you any debts? Your +father is not rich."</p> + +<p>"That is spoken like a man of honor and a true relation," +said Gottlieb, warmly, "but fortunately I have +always been obliged to live economically, and therefore +have escaped from falling into the foolish habit of contracting +debts."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, if you have no debts, you at least have a +future to prepare for. You must not therefore refuse my +offer."</p> + +<p>"I do not wish to make use of it at present. Yet I do +not wish you to consider it refused entirely. At this moment +I do not require anything, unless indeed you wish to +spare my feet and my boots, by giving me a little money to +pay my travelling expenses. When the time comes, and +I find myself fully engaged in my father's office, I will +consider your proposal with the greatest pleasure."</p> + +<p>"Do so, and I will have a good memory, I assure +you."</p> + +<p>"One word more, uncle. You must promise me to +<a name="Page_156" id="Page_156"></a>trouble the worthy Mrs. Lonner no longer. She will never +submit to your desires."</p> + +<p>As he thus spoke, an ashy paleness o'erspread Mr. Fabian's +countenance, and with a shudder he glanced fearfully +around the room.</p> + +<p>"O, the walls have no ears," said Gottlieb; "but uncle +you will promise me this, will you not."</p> + +<p>"Most assuredly," replied his uncle. "That woman has +driven me almost mad; but I think that last night's fright +has entirely cured me. I shall not go there again under +any circumstances."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The songs of the birds of the valley were more melodious +than ever before, the perfume of the roses and lilacs +were sweeter than formerly, at least so thought the occupants +of the little cottage when Gottlieb visited them that +afternoon. Certainly, however, the feast which was given +on that day had never been equalled before, except perhaps +on the day of the arrival of Ragnar after a long +absence from his wife and home.</p> + +<p>It was a splendid dinner—roasted spare ribs, and fish, +and cakes. The old man occupied the seat at the head of +the table. Gottlieb, who had provided this repast from +<a name="Page_157" id="Page_157"></a>the money he had received from his uncle for travelling +expenses, was seated beside Nanna. The children ate so +rapidly and heartily that it appeared as though they intended +to swallow a sufficient supply to last them for a +year to come. Carl, wearing his Sunday vest, a vest that +Magde had made, and with a rose in his jacket button-hole, +a rose that Magde had plucked, was seated in his usual +place at the table, cheerful and contented. Magde attended +almost solely to the old man's wants, filling his +plate, and replenishing his cup. And lastly, little Christine, +who trotted from place to place, taking care of the +cow, dog, sheep, goats, and the ancient cat, was as happy +and cheerful as the others. Altogether the scene was beautiful +and harmonious.</p> + +<p>"And for all this happiness," said the old man, looking +tearfully upon the youth, "for all this happiness, Mr. Gottlieb, +next to God, we are indebted to you. Happy must +be the parents of such a son!"</p> + +<p>"Father Lonner," said Gottlieb glancing around the table, +with a friendly smile, "you have no reason to be envious."</p> + +<p>"That is true," replied the old man nodding his head +pleasantly to the circle of beloved ones.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon, after the old man had retired to his +comfortable bed, now doubly comfortable to him, to rest +himself awhile, and Magde was seated by his bedside pleasantly +chatting with him, while Carl was busy making little +<a name="Page_158" id="Page_158"></a>boats for the children, Nanna and Gottlieb were seated +near the spring beneath the tree, in the meadow.</p> + +<p>It could easily be believed that the young couple were +not very talkative, for Nanna was busily engaged in searching +in the grass for a four leaved clover, and Gottlieb was +amusing himself, according to his childish custom, by blowing +shrill blasts upon a thick blade of grass.</p> + +<p>It was sunset. The glowing reflection of the sun fell +upon Nanna's pale neck and face, illumining them with a +golden blush.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry," said Gottlieb, at length, throwing aside +the blade of grass, and assuming a serious cast of countenance, +"I am sorry that our lessons must have an end; +but all is for the best, for, my child, you know enough +already."</p> + +<p>"More than enough," replied Nanna, softly.</p> + +<p>"Especially for a school teacher," said Gottlieb.</p> + +<p>"Yes, especially for a school teacher," repeated Nanna.</p> + +<p>"But you speak so abstractedly. You are not so lively +as usual."</p> + +<p>"I did not know it; but if Gottlieb says so, it must be +true. When one has been so glad as I have been to-day, +and then as sorrowful, it takes much courage to meet the +change indifferently."</p> + +<p>"But, dear Nanna, you were aware that I should be +forced to go away soon."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159"></a>"I did not know that you were going so soon as to-morrow +morning."</p> + +<p>"Neither did I, myself, when I saw you yesterday; but +when I determined to go by the steamboat, you perceive +that—"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes."</p> + +<p>"And then again what difference will a day or two more +or less make, when we part—"</p> + +<p>"Never again to meet," interrupted Nanna.</p> + +<p>"You will do right in the meantime not to hope too +much."</p> + +<p>Nanna glanced inquiringly towards Gottlieb.</p> + +<p>"Do you not think it strange, Nanna, that we who have +been acquainted but so short a season, should think so +much of each other?"</p> + +<p>"It is perfectly natural that we should. Persons in +fashionable society cannot become so well acquainted with +each other as we could in one hour. At first we met each +other every evening, then every morning and evening, and +at length—"</p> + +<p>"And at length morning, noon and night!" interrupted +Gottlieb, with a smile. "In truth, Nanna, you are right, +for if our every meeting was so divided that we should be +together but once each week, our acquaintance would +have been prolonged for an entire year."</p> + +<p>"O, much longer than that even," said Nanna, joining +in Gottlieb's laugh.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160"></a>"And as we have remained by our agreement not to +fall in love with each other, we part as friends, and not in +despair, and what is still better, not with reproaches, +which, had the case been different, we would have been +obliged to make and listen to."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is fortunate, very fortunate, that—that—" +stammered Nanna, unable to finish the sentence.</p> + +<p>"We need not conceal from ourselves that in making +that arrangement we ran a great risk. For my part, I am +not too proud to say that it has been very difficult for me +to keep it."</p> + +<p>"But Gottlieb," replied Nanna, "as you have kept it, +it is better as it is."</p> + +<p>"Certainly; but then it is not so good as I wish to +have it."</p> + +<p>"How do you wish it to be then?" inquired Nanna +innocently.</p> + +<p>"Upon my honor I can hardly say; but if I was placed +in better circumstances—" Nanna dropped her eyelids +over their soft tell-tale orbits; but not so quickly but that +Gottlieb detected a ray of hope gleaming from their deep +wells.</p> + +<p>"Will you advise me what course to take, when I have +obtained a competency?" continued Gottlieb.</p> + +<p>"No, that would be of no use; but Mr. Gottlieb, when +I hear that you have wedded the rich wife of whom you +have spoken, I will rejoice at your good fortune."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161"></a>"And does not the thought of that rich wife cost you +even half a sigh?"</p> + +<p>"Not if that wife will render you happy."</p> + +<p>"Nanna, you speak as though you did not love me +at all!" exclaimed Gottlieb hastily, forgetting entirely the +part he had determined to play during this interview.</p> + +<p>"And should I love you?" inquired Nanna blushing +deeply. "I think I am not such a foolish girl as that."</p> + +<p>"But I believe that you love me," replied Gottlieb. +"Can you deny that your heart is mine?"</p> + +<p>"I do not deny it; but I shall not allow it to be so," +said Nanna with a glance that immediately cooled Gottlieb's +sudden ardor. "My heart is my own, and should +not be an object of trouble to you; and I assure you Mr. +Gottlieb that I shall not allow any weakness on my part +to cause you to break the judicious contract we have +made."</p> + +<p>"Ah! Nanna, you are both wise and charitable. I +shall not endeavor to wrest the secret from you; but you +are so much esteemed by me, that at some future day, +when I can follow my own inclinations I will return to +you."</p> + +<p>"I will forget these last words, Mr. Gottlieb, for I +think them the saddest you have ever uttered."</p> + +<p>"You are right; but I spoke as I thought. It is not +my fault if I thought that you were above all others most +suitable to become my wife."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162"></a>As he thus spoke Nanna trembled violently and she +looked upon him with a gaze which contained more bitterness +than words could have expressed.</p> + +<p>"I believe I am mad indeed. I have endeavored to +speak in a better spirit, and instead of so doing—I had +better go immediately—or—"</p> + +<p>"Or what?"</p> + +<p>"Or I will, yes, I will, hold you to my heart, and swear +to you, as true as I am an honest man, that I love you, +and you alone, come what may, I can withhold myself no +longer." Gottlieb suited the action to the word, and +enfolded the blushing girl in his warm embrace.</p> + +<p>"O, Gottlieb!" cried Nanna, weeping and laughing, +"this is madness indeed!"</p> + +<p>"No, on the contrary it is happiness!"</p> + +<p>"But to-morrow you will repent it!"</p> + +<p>"Never, Nanna, I sincerely believe that all is for the +best. We can work hard; we have only a few needs, and +it is such happiness to love each other."</p> + +<p>"But—"</p> + +<p>"You must accustom yourself to omit that disagreeable +word. When my mind is once made up, I permit of no +<i>ifs</i> nor <i>buts</i>. And as we do not require a great amount +of money to defray our little domestic expenses, I think +it would be wrong for us to waste the best part of our +lives in useless delay. After one year has elapsed, the +parson shall unite us as man and wife, and I shall take +<a name="Page_163" id="Page_163"></a>you from this valley, and we will look forward to all the +joys and sorrows, which our Heavenly Father in his wisdom +shall send us."</p> + +<p>Nanna, who for a long season had battled against the +intoxicating desire which had filled her heart, gradually +assented to Gottlieb's words, and the interview terminated +with a second agreement, which was directly contrary to +the first one, for by it they bound themselves to love each +other forever.</p> + +<p>They agreed that this change from their former agreement +should be concealed from all others. They alone +should know the secret.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Ragnar.</span></h3> + + +<p>Autumn arrived.</p> + +<p>The valley was strewn with yellow leaves. The birds +had ceased their songs. The grass had withered. Rains +and storms had discolored the fountain. Yet, although +Nature seemed to have been engaged in contentious strife, +still joy reigned supreme within the little cottage. Ragnar, +the beloved husband, the darling son, had returned. +Seated in the midst of his children beside his lovely wife, +and with his arm encircling her waist, he listened with a +countenance changing from cheerfulness to solemnity to a +recital of all that had transpired during his absence.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165"></a>As soon as Mr. Lonner, for he was the narrator, had +concluded, Ragnar advanced and enfolded the old man in +his arms.</p> + +<p>"What viper did this? I have a strong suspicion—to +cast such an old man into prison—and I was away +from you, unable to protect you and these weak and +deserted women."</p> + +<p>As he thus spoke, his countenance glowed with indignation.</p> + +<p>A slight cough at the other side of the room attracted +Ragnar's attention. It was Carl.</p> + +<p>"I understand you, Carl," said he, "you must pardon +me. I forgot myself when I said the women were deserted."</p> + +<p>And the frank and honest Ragnar, whose ruddy brown +countenance bespoke his health, advanced and extended +his hand to Carl, who with a face as sickly and yellow as +the seared leaves without, was reclining upon the sofa, +watching the family group with a restless eye.</p> + +<p>Poor Carl, each day he gradually faded, and his belief +in the warning voice he had heard in the church yard became +firm and unwavering. He accepted Ragnar's proffered +hand with a grateful smile.</p> + +<p>"How hot you are!" exclaimed Ragnar, "I will hasten +to the village and speak to the physician."</p> + +<p>As Ragnar thus spoke, Carl laughed in his peculiar +manner. "That will be profitable indeed!" said he.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166"></a>"Certainly it will, dear Carl," said Magde, approaching +the sick youth, "Ragnar is right."</p> + +<p>"Ragnar is always right," said Carl, in an unusually +sharp tone, "so long as you please him you do not care if +you neglect my wishes."</p> + +<p>"What, Carl, do you not love your brother?" said Ragnar, +in a tone of reproach, at the same time pressing a +kiss unobserved, as he thought, upon his wife's lips. Ragnar +always felt an inclination to conceal from the observation +of others the fact that he still loved his wife as he had +when he first wedded her, and therefore rarely caressed +her when in the presence of witnesses; but on this occasion, +his affection was so great that he could not resist the +pleasure of stealing a kiss.</p> + +<p>"Is not the entire room large enough for you to kiss in +without my seeing you?" said Carl, harshly, "I do not +wish you to do so right before me."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you envy me," said Ragnar, with a laugh. +He had not given Carl's expression a serious thought.</p> + +<p>Carl lifted himself upon his elbow, and gazing full in +his brother's eyes, he replied slowly and firmly, "Yes."</p> + +<p>"Why do you, Carl?" inquired Ragnar.</p> + +<p>"Because I do not wish any body to kiss Magde—is it +not so, Magde? You well know how I behaved myself +when Mr. Fabian H—— wanted to buy a kiss of you."</p> + +<p>"What! I believe the poor boy is mad! What! Buy +a kiss of Magde! Poor Carl!"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167"></a>"Am I speaking false, Magde? Answer me."</p> + +<p>"O, Carl, how strangely you tell your story!" exclaimed +Magde, "you ought first to have related how it happened, +and—"</p> + +<p>Magde flushed and paled alternately, and in her excitement +could scarcely express herself.</p> + +<p>"Can there be any truth in this?" said Ragnar, and his +eyes sparkled.</p> + +<p>Magde had now recovered her presence of mind, and +related, without concealing a single fact, all that had happened +between herself and Mr. Fabian.</p> + +<p>"I am now firmly convinced that this—this—no matter, +that Mr. H—— was the prime cause of our father's imprisonment."</p> + +<p>"He was," interrupted old Mr. Lonner. "I am as +firmly convinced of it, as I am that the young man of +whom I have spoken was the cause of my release. I wish +you were acquainted with Mr. Gottlieb. He is a worthy +young man."</p> + +<p>"I will tell him so in the letter I shall write him; but +what if he entertained the same desire that influenced Mr. +H——."</p> + +<p>"Fear not for me, at least," replied Magde, casting a +roguish look towards Nanna.</p> + +<p>"Ah! that is singular indeed; but after all Nanna will +bear a pretty close inspection—but I cannot drive that Mr. +Fabian from my mind."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168"></a>"First you must tell us some of your adventures," and +Magde's countenance wore such an entreating expression +that her husband understood her immediately; and therefore +as long as he remained in the presence of his father, +and his sister and brother, he continued speaking of all +the singular things he had seen and heard, which was listened +to by a pleased and expectant audience.</p> + +<p>At length the time arrived when the husband and wife +were at liberty to interchange their thoughts freely; the +children had been nicely tucked in their little beds, and +Ragnar and Magde alone occupied their private apartment.</p> + +<p>"Now, dear Magde, now you must give me a good kiss. +God bless you for this happy moment. After tossing six +months upon the ocean, it is a joy indeed to return to one's +own home and wife."</p> + +<p>"Is it true indeed, dear Ragnar, that you love me now +as you did when we were married?"</p> + +<p>"Did you find no four-leaved clover last summer, that +you ask me this question?"</p> + +<p>Without replying, Magde hastily opened a clothes press, +and produced an old compass box, from which she took a +handful of withered clover leaves.</p> + +<p>"See here," said she.</p> + +<p>"And do these not convince you?" inquired Ragnar.</p> + +<p>In this old box, Magde preserved, so to speak, the +tokens of her wedded joys. From the first year of her +<a name="Page_169" id="Page_169"></a>marriage, she, whenever her husband was absent, would +seek in the meadow for four-leaved clovers, under the conviction +that so long as she continued to find them, she +might rely upon the continued love and fidelity of her +husband. And she was invariably successful, and each +year she deposited the clover leaves in the old compass +box. As Ragnar uttered his last question, Magde cast +herself upon his breast, and gazed tenderly into his face.</p> + +<p>"O don't look at me too closely, to-morrow I will look +better, after I am washed and dressed," said Ragnar, arranging +his shirt bosom, and smoothing down his jacket +collar.</p> + +<p>"You are so good already, that if you should be better +it would be dangerous; but Ragnar, you have forgotten +to measure the children to see how much they have grown +since your departure. You used to do that as soon as +you entered the house after a return from a long voyage."</p> + +<p>"This time," replied Ragnar, "you greeted me with +such strange news that I quite forgot all my usual habits. +It grieves me to observe that Carl is upon the verge of the +grave. True, he was ill last winter; but he soon recovered."</p> + +<p>"He exerted himself too much during our troubles," +said Magde, "then he has taken no care of himself, and +then—yes, yes, there is something very strange about +Carl."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170"></a>"What do you mean by strange, Magde?" inquired +her husband. "Do you think that he is really insane?"</p> + +<p>"Oh no, I did not mean that; but—"</p> + +<p>"Speak on, speak your mind."</p> + +<p>"Now, do not laugh at my fancy—or be vexed with +poor Carl. I think that—he loves me too much, and his +passion has weighed heavily upon him, although he does +not, himself, understand it."</p> + +<p>"Your words are worthy of reflection, Magde; now I +remember, his conduct did appear peculiar when he +said he envied me the privilege of kissing you. Poor +fellow, how could I be vexed with him? He, probably, +never desired to vex either you or myself."</p> + +<p>"Never. Frequently during the summer I have placed +flowers in his room, and in them he took his greatest +delight. Even now he loves to hear me sing to him, or +to read a chapter in the Bible, above all other things."</p> + +<p>"Such love," said Ragnar, "is a beautiful rose, the perfume +of which cheers a drooping spirit. He may continue +his love; it will sustain him in his last trial. Hereafter, +I will not even take your hand in his presence."</p> + +<p>"How kind you are, dear Ragnar. Now I can be to +him as I was before your return." Magde wiped the +tears from her long eyelashes, and before Ragnar could +question her, she continued: "You may depend upon my +fidelity. I only wish to afford him a slight ray of joy +while he is still on earth. Without me he stands alone."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171"></a>"Act your own pleasure, my dear Magde, you are aware +that I confide in you as in my own heart. Although I +shall act gently towards Carl, who with his own desire, +would not injure me, still I will not be so submissive with an +individual like Mr. H——, who has conducted himself +most wrongfully."</p> + +<p>From these words Magde became aware that she would +be obliged to relate all that had occurred between Mr. +Fabian and herself, and this she did accordingly.</p> + +<p>She feared more from Ragnar's silence than she would +if he had given vent to his rage in words. Ragnar possessed +a faculty of controlling his anger by a silence +which was much more impressive than furious speech.</p> + +<p>"Ah, then he entered your window, after he had first +removed the old man. Well, well, worse things have +been done before."</p> + +<p>This was all he said; and as not only the following, but +also the second day passed, without Mr. Fabian's name +being mentioned, Magde thought that Ragnar had looked +at the affair with sensible eyes. She even felt somewhat +annoyed at the thought that Mr. Fabian's punishment +should be so light.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">An Hour in Mistress Ulrica's Chamber.</span></h3> + + +<p>Throughout the entire fall, Mr. Fabian had been his +"sweet Ulgenie's" humblest slave, and therefore had been +trod deeper into the dust. Since he had learned of the +return of Ragnar Lonner, he had suffered a feverish anxiety. +Even his easy chair no longer afforded him rest, for +sleeping or waking, one object alone was constantly before +his eyes: Ragnar Lonner's wrathful countenance peering +through the door.</p> + +<p>He was suddenly seized with as strong a desire for +active life, as he formerly possessed for easy rest, and he +<a name="Page_173" id="Page_173"></a>felt himself in no safety except when at a distance from +the mansion, for he knew that Ragnar possessed too much +honor to entrap him in an ambuscade.</p> + +<p>One morning, when he, as had been his custom for the +previous week, went to his wife with the information that +he was compelled to take a short journey, she sharply +accosted him:</p> + +<p>"Man, what does all this restlessness mean? Are you +insane? Am I always to be left at home alone?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, my dear," replied Mr. Fabian, "you are aware +that I must attend to my business."</p> + +<p>"I know that not long since you found it difficult to take +care of yourself. This sudden change in your disposition +will never do."</p> + +<p>"Dear Ulgenie, I acknowledge your superior judgment; +but to-day I really must attend the auction at Rorby, +there is to be a sale of some genuine Spanish sheep."</p> + +<p>"Ah! as that is really some business, you may go; but +come home early."</p> + +<p>"I hope to return before eleven o'clock."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ulrica presented him her hand to kiss, and after he +had pressed it to his lips with all the gallantry which was +still left him, he quickly turned away from her.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ulrica during the entire day was filled with wonder +at the sudden change that had taken place in her husband, +and if she could have for a moment entertained such +<a name="Page_174" id="Page_174"></a>a thought, she would have believed that her husband had +become acquainted with some intriguing female.</p> + +<p>But among her female acquaintances in the neighborhood, +there was not one whom Fabian had not seen at +least twenty times, and he had undergone each new ordeal +with a firmness which proved that he was out of all +danger.</p> + +<p>This point once settled, Mistress Ulrica was more composed, +and after having spent the day in attending to her +domestic duties, she retired to her bed at an early hour, +for she always felt weary and ill-humored when her Fabian, +whom she really loved, was not at home to hear her tender +words and reproaches.</p> + +<p>About an hour had elapsed after Mrs. Ulrica had fallen +asleep. The servant also slept soundly, for, although she +had been told to wait for her master, she had satisfied her +conscience by leaving the hall door unlocked—contrary +to her mistress' strict command—and then retired to her +bed.</p> + +<p>As before said, Mrs. Ulrica had been asleep about an +hour, when she was disturbed by a singular noise which +resembled the shuffling of feet near the bed. She opened +one eye that she might warn her husband that one of his +first duties should be not to disturb his wife's slumbers. +But the warning produced no effect. This being the case, +Mistress Ulrica found it necessary to open the other eye, +<a name="Page_175" id="Page_175"></a>that by the aid of the night light she might discover Fabian's +true condition.</p> + +<p>She first glanced towards the sofa; it was empty. Then +she looked towards the easy chair; but as this stood partially +in the shadow of the large bed curtains, she was able +only to perceive a pair of feet, and it was these very feet +that had the impertinence to shuffle in her room, without +asking her permission.</p> + +<p>"Fabian," she exclaimed, "are you not ashamed of +yourself? What are you doing?"</p> + +<p>But Fabian did not reply.</p> + +<p>"Ah, you foolish man, I see now that you have been +made drunk, you could not withstand their entreaties, poor +man; please prepare for bed."</p> + +<p>And yet no answer.</p> + +<p>"He is as drunk as possible. Go to your own room, +Fabian; be careful, do not take a light with you, and do +not fall down stairs and hurt yourself. Are you going to +move to-night? Shall I ring the bell for the servants, that +they may carry you to bed?"</p> + +<p>Not receiving a reply, Mrs. Ulrica tore aside the bed +curtains, and extending her hand, placed it upon a strange +head of hair.</p> + +<p>"Heavens!" she exclaimed, "that is not my husband!"</p> + +<p>"What of that, it is the husband of another," replied a +calm voice.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176"></a>Terror prevented Mrs. Ulrica from crying aloud. "A +thief!" she gasped.</p> + +<p>"I do not think so," replied the voice.</p> + +<p>"Who are you then?" stammered she.</p> + +<p>"Sleep quietly, you shall not be disturbed."</p> + +<p>Mistress Ulrica continued to feel for the bell cord. "I +believe," said she, "he wishes to murder me when I am +asleep."</p> + +<p>"Sleep quietly, I neither wish to steal nor to murder. I +only wish to—"</p> + +<p>The unfortunate cramp, which at her first terror had attacked +Mrs. Ulrica's throat, now suddenly disappeared, +and she emitted a long and loud scream; but no sooner +had this been accomplished, than a large brawny hand +was placed roughly over her mouth.</p> + +<p>"Please do that no more," said the voice, "or I shall be +forced to be troublesome, and do not look for the bell-rope, +it would only be disagreeable for you if the servants +should enter the room now."</p> + +<p>"What do you want then, fearful man?"</p> + +<p>"To remain where I am. At present I want nothing +further."</p> + +<p>Suddenly a new light dawned in Mrs. Ulrica's brain. +What if he should be an unfortunate suitor for her love.</p> + +<p>"How?" said she, forcing all her pride and dignity +into her words, "how? remain here? Sir, this is my bed-room."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177"></a>"I am aware of the fact."</p> + +<p>"And here no man has a right to enter except my husband."</p> + +<p>"And myself," added the voice.</p> + +<p>At this unexpected reply, the lady summoned courage +to examine the unabashed visitor more closely. He was +an elegantly formed man, and as he gazed at her with his +expressive eyes, interest and repugnance were both created +within her heart. The repugnance was caused by the fact +that the man wore a blue frieze coat, which unfortunate +garment at once dispelled her romantic dreams.</p> + +<p>"Will you explain the cause of this unheard of impertinence?"</p> + +<p>"That cause will very soon arrive."</p> + +<p>"Very soon? You did not seek me then?"</p> + +<p>"Not precisely."</p> + +<p>"Then probably you wish to see my husband?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Am I at all concerned, then?"</p> + +<p>"Slightly."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" exclaimed Mrs. Ulrica, who now remembered +her strange visitor's first observation, "there must be a +mystery about this which I do not understand. You remarked +that you were the husband of another."</p> + +<p>"True."</p> + +<p>"And furthermore you said you had a right to seek my +husband in this room?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178"></a>"You certainly know your alphabet."</p> + +<p>"Then you have—O, what will become of us!—you +have—a demand to make of my husband."</p> + +<p>"No, he has a claim on me, and this I will pay back, +principal and interest."</p> + +<p>"O, the monster! The crocodile! He has been untrue +to me."</p> + +<p>"Yes, both in heart and desire; but my wife is not one +who cries out, or attempts to pull the bell-rope. She commands +respect without so much trouble."</p> + +<p>"And do I not, also?"</p> + +<p>"I do not know what you would do, if you should see +a man, at this time of night, crawl through your window, +and attempt to bring you to disgrace by the promise that +he would release an old father from prison; but I do know +you have nothing to fear at present."</p> + +<p>"You are then Mr. Ragnar Lonner?"</p> + +<p>"I am."</p> + +<p>"And for such a miserable reward—that woman—"</p> + +<p>"What! Miserable reward!—that woman!—Well, +that night lamp is not very brilliant, but I can easily perceive +that I have before me an old dutch galleon, so badly +rigged and managed, that I would prefer to crowd sail +and make my escape rather than to take her in tow. And +you call my wife that woman! Miserable reward!"</p> + +<p>"I do not understand your gibberish, my good man: but +<a name="Page_179" id="Page_179"></a>that you are unrefined and uneducated I can easily see, +and I command you to quit my room immediately."</p> + +<p>"You would then force me to retreat, as my Magde +drove back your husband. Please try the experiment."</p> + +<p>"Monster! Unfeeling wretch!" exclaimed she, "is +this the manner to speak to a lady, to an injured wife who +is obliged to bemoan the infidelity of her husband. O, +the villain! I will overpower him with my wrath!"</p> + +<p>"My turn comes first," interrupted Ragnar.</p> + +<p>"Ah, ha, I understand. My cup is filled to the brim—blood +must flow—Lonner do you wish to kill my husband, +then?"</p> + +<p>"To fight with him. God forbid. Such things I leave +to people of rank. I have another method of doing my +business."</p> + +<p>"And what is that?"</p> + +<p>"O, it is very simple. I thought that nothing would +be more unpleasant to him than to be placed in a disgraceful +position before his wife, and perhaps a greater punishment +for such a miserable man could not be devised than +to—but no matter, your husband knows why he leaves +his house every day."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ulrica clapped her hands together violently. +Now the riddle was solved. She now knew the cause of +the sudden change in her husband's conduct.</p> + +<p>"And, as it has been impossible to find him at home in +<a name="Page_180" id="Page_180"></a>the daytime," continued Ragnar, "I have come this evening +to settle with him in this place, and at this hour."</p> + +<p>Ragnar had scarcely ceased speaking, when heavy and +slow footsteps were heard ascending the stairs.</p> + +<p>Like an infuriated tigress waiting for her prey, Mrs. +Ulrica, enveloped in her crimson shawl, sat up in her bed; +her eyes flashing with rage, and her face flushed to a +redness which outvied the crimson of her shawl. She was +awaiting the approach of her husband.</p> + +<p>Ragnar arose, and as silent and unmoved as a statue +awaited the entrance of Mr. Fabian. Ragnar had not +produced a dagger or sword; but he drew forth from +under his loose jacket a cow-hide of the greatest elasticity, +and the best quality.</p> + +<p>Without dreaming of the terrible storm that had +gathered, and was about to pour down upon his devoted +head, Mr. Fabian entered the apartment. But the moment +his eyes fell upon the forms of his wife, the doom +pronouncer, and Lonner the genius of revenge, he staggered +back towards the door, and had not his legs refused +their office he would have sought safety in flight; but at +two stern glances, one from Lonner, the other from his +wife, he sank powerless to the floor.</p> + +<p>And yet, if ever, this was the time for him to assume +the character of Brutus. And what better cause had he +to arouse himself from his stupor, than that Lucretia had +received a male visitor in her bed-chamber. True, Mrs.<a name="Page_181" id="Page_181"></a> +Ulrica had not received an insult, neither did she appear +prepared sacrifice herself, like Lucretia, as an atonement +for the outrage. All in all, present appearances were +well calculated to arouse sterner sentiments within Mr. +Fabian's heart; but he was so frightened that he would +have forgiven everything if he could have assured himself +that the horrible spectacle was but a dream which would +vanish at the coming of the morning.</p> + +<p>"Perjured traitor!" screamed Mrs. Ulrica, "you hide +yourself like Adam after his fall. But come forth, this +Lucifer will teach you that you no longer dwell in paradise."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Lonner," stammered Mr. Fabian, "I am an innocent, +unhappy man, and I swear to you that Mrs. Magde +has never—"</p> + +<p>As he heard these words Ragnar trembled violently.</p> + +<p>"Silence, reprobate," said he, "the name of my virtuous +wife shall not pass your lips. She needs none of your +recommendations; but <i>your</i> wife, you pitiful coward, she +shall learn from me, now, what your true character is."</p> + +<p>Thus saying Lonner with one hand seized the unlucky +Fabian by the coat-collar, and brandished the horse-whip +over his head with the other.</p> + +<p>But as Mr. Fabian made no resistance, but wept and +begged for mercy in loud and wailing tones, Ragnar +released him, and, confused at the singularity of his own +sentiments, he glanced towards Mrs. Ulrica, and said:</p> + +<p><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182"></a>"He is so cowardly, that it seems almost as bad to +whip him, as it would be to beat a hare. In giving him +over to you I am fully revenged."</p> + +<p>The cow-hide disappeared beneath his coat, and Lonner +departed.</p> + +<p>But Ragnar Lonner had made a miscalculation, when +he thought that Mr. Fabian would fall into the hands of +the Medusa within the bed-curtains. The very thought +of the humiliation he had undergone, and the fear of what +was yet in store for him, inspired Mr. Fabian with an +unusual degree of courage or rather drove him to +desperation.</p> + +<p>Brutus aroused himself. He could see no other method +of escape than by crushing the tigress before she pounced +upon him. He therefore at once attacked her with passionate +actions and wild expressions.</p> + +<p>"O, you miserable woman! You faithless wife! Do +you think that I shall allow myself to be blinded by the +farce you have just played with your lover? I will leave +you alone in your house. I cast you from my heart. +The whole world shall know you as I know you now."</p> + +<p>"Fabian! Fabian! are you mad?"</p> + +<p>Mistress Ulrica was both frightened and pleased. This +was a scene she had long desired.</p> + +<p>"If I am mad, who has driven me to madness?" +shouted Mr. Fabian, determined to retain the advantage +he had already won. Then assuming an imposing position +<a name="Page_183" id="Page_183"></a>he gazed sternly into the face of his trembling wife. +"How long I have closed my eyes to your little indiscretions! +How many bitter tears I have shed, when I +observed how you encouraged that shark who made love +to my wife while he feasted at my table."</p> + +<p>Mistress Ulrica, who was suddenly changed from a +tigress into a lamb, assured her husband that she was innocent; +that she had not even entertained a guilty thought. +But as she humbled herself, Mr. Fabian's wrath increased, +and astonished that he had not long before discovered this +method of taming his wife, he played the tyrant <i>con amore</i>. +He accused his wife of so many things, that she, humiliated +and crushed, fell on her knees before him, and entreated +him to restrain his rage until he had ample proofs of her +guilt. This boon Mr. Fabian H—— finally condescendingly +granted, and like an indulgent pascha, entreated by +his favorite slave, he at length permitted her to slumber +at his side.</p> + +<p>This entire change of government was effected in the +short space of one hour.</p> + +<p>The sun was high in the heavens when Mistress Ulrica +awoke. At first she could not distinctly remember the +drama which had been performed the preceding night; +but when all the events were brought clear to her mind, +she sighed deeply. Her destiny was entirely changed; but +after a few moments' reflection, she determined to submit +<a name="Page_184" id="Page_184"></a>to her fate, and become the one who should obey, not +command.</p> + +<p>While she was meditating in what manner she should +refute the charges brought against her by her husband, +she was interrupted by a truly soft and persuasive voice, +which said:—</p> + +<p>"Sweet Ulgenie, dearest wife, can your heart be +touched? I dreamed last night that I might dare approach +it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, so you have noticed me," said Mrs. Ulrica, immediately +assuming her former authority, when she found +herself thus entreated. "Have you slept out your debauch?"</p> + +<p>"Was I—is it possible that I was inebriated? I have +quite forgotten what happened last night."</p> + +<p>"You fool, when were you able to remember anything +unless <i>I</i> reminded you?"</p> + +<p>The perusal of a continuance of this scene will scarcely +repay our readers. Suffice it to say that Mr. Fabian's +reign of one hour remained thereafter a legend only. Like +all other unsuccessful revolutions, it was followed by a +government still more exacting and severe.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Carl.</span></h3> + + +<p>Winter had departed. Ragnar, the bold seaman, had +left his home, and his ship was ploughing the broad ocean. +The grass in the valley waved gracefully in the light winds +of spring. The children once more launched their miniature +boats, and the occupants of the cottage all labored +for the good of the little commonwealth.</p> + +<p>But there was one of the family who could not mingle +in their labors, and who sat quietly in his corner, gazing +cheerfully upon the operations of the others. It was +Carl.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186"></a>During the winter Carl had been confined to his bed, +but at the present time he occupied his father's arm-chair, +which the old man had relinquished to him. He usually +sat in a corner near Magde's spinning wheel and his +father's bed-room door.</p> + +<p>When the children returned from their out of doors +sports, they would sit on the floor near Carl's chair, and +listen to the many tales of fairies, nymphs, and sea gods, +that he told them in a pleasant but weak voice, while he +as formerly made willow whistles and repaired their little +boats.</p> + +<p>The neighbors' children also visited the cottage that +they might hear his last stories, and they all brought with +them many little gifts that their mothers had prepared +for poor Carl. At a later period the mothers came themselves, +bringing their own presents, which they carried in +large baskets, for there was not one in the entire neighborhood +for whom Carl had not performed a service, and +without a solitary exception they all loved him.</p> + +<p>Then who was to take his place, after he should be +taken from his friends. In fact perfect pilgrimages were +made to Carl, who always received the pilgrims with pleasant +words and cheerful smiles. Carl was not insensible +to the pleasure he derived from being able in turn to present +to Magde the gifts he received from his friends.</p> + +<p>"Ah," Nanna often said, "how pleasant it is to be +beloved," and she would sigh as she thought of the absent +<a name="Page_187" id="Page_187"></a>one who had vowed to love her forever, and whose word +was her creed of life. How much happiness Nanna +derived from this creed! It solaced her in many lonely +hours, and produced a favorable effect upon her every +action and thought. She no longer was oppressed, as +formerly, with dreaming indolence. Her cheeks were +roses now.</p> + +<p>Old Mr. Lonner and Magde were much gratified at this +unexpected change in Nanna's deportment, and they could +account for it only by supposing that she was much wiser +than other girls of her age.</p> + +<p>Carl, however, had peculiar views upon this subject, and +when Nanna would exclaim, "O, how pleasant it is to be +beloved!" he would reply:</p> + +<p>"You know right well that there is some one who loves +you, or else you would not be so light hearted."</p> + +<p>When Carl thus spoke Nanna would blush with confusion.</p> + +<p>"You must not speak so when any one can hear you," +she would reply.</p> + +<p>Carl would then nod his head pleasantly, and one day +he learned the secret, for he felt he could not remain long +on this earth, and he wished to know all, and aside from +that Nanna was anxious to discover whether he believed as +firmly as she did in Gottlieb's vows.</p> + +<p>"Do you think, Carl," said she, as she concluded her +recital, "do you think he will return?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188"></a>"As certainly as I shall never see the sun rise on St. +John's day, for I saw that in his eye, which assured me +he would not break his promises."</p> + +<p>"Why do you use such an ominous comparison, Carl? +Why do you think you will not see the sunrise on St. +John's day?"</p> + +<p>The pain caused by the beginning of Carl's remark, +clouded the pure joy which his concluding words would +have otherwise created.</p> + +<p>"I am waiting," said he, "only that I may see the +lilacs bloom once more. In those beautiful flowers I have +found my greatest joy."</p> + +<p>Old Mr. Lonner occasionally attempted to prepare his +son's mind for the future which awaited him; but he +ceased when one day Carl innocently addressed him:</p> + +<p>"Father," said he, "I wish you would not talk with me +thus. I believe in our Saviour and his love for us sinners, +and as I do not think I have done much harm—except +perhaps when I stole the game—I fear not for the future. +I shall wait patiently until my Saviour chooses to take me +to himself. I can well imagine that there is not much +space in heaven; but I believe that there is a small place +for one so insignificant as me, where I can wait the coming +of Magde, Nanna, Father, Ragnar, and all the little ones, +that is if they do not hold me in contempt."</p> + +<p>"How strangely you talk, dear Carl!" said Magde, entering +into the conversation. "You well know that I +<a name="Page_189" id="Page_189"></a>would like to be near you in heaven, for you are aware +that next to Ragnar I love you more than any other being +on earth."</p> + +<p>"You say so only to make me happy; but I am not so +vain as to believe your words."</p> + +<p>"Is there any one here who displays more love for you +than I?" inquired Magde.</p> + +<p>Carl smiled, and glanced at the wall. There hung a +new vest, the pattern of which Carl examined as carefully +as though each thread had been a painting in itself.</p> + +<p>"Do you think," said he, after a pause, during which +his father left the room, "do you think that Ragnar is +vexed with me? He certainly must have observed that I +love you more than, perhaps, I should—I speak frankly +to you, Magde, for I know you are different from others, +and I could not die in peace if I thought that my brother +Ragnar was offended with me."</p> + +<p>"Be convinced, my dear Carl, that Ragnar loves you as +a brother should. He saw undoubtedly that no one could +please you so well as I; but he often told me, and especially +before his last departure—"</p> + +<p>"What did he say?" inquired Carl, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"'Magde,' said he, 'never desert Carl. He is an honest +and faithful soul, who can find no joy unless with you; +but Carl is not the one who would seek to injure me by +word or thought, and therefore I shall not interfere with +his sentiments, but allow him to entertain them freely, +<a name="Page_190" id="Page_190"></a>and,' he added, 'you may tell him this at some future time +when he may feel troubled on my account.'"</p> + +<p>"Did he speak thus, assuredly?"</p> + +<p>"He did, I swear it by my hopes of meeting him +again."</p> + +<p>"And you have obeyed him, and not deserted me; but +will you do so as long as I am with you here?"</p> + +<p>"Never shall I desert you, Carl."</p> + +<p>"And when the last moment approaches," said he in a +soft tone, "you will moisten my lips, you will smooth my +pillow, and when the struggle of death comes upon me, I +wish you to hold my hand in yours, as you now do, that I +may feel that you are with me. Then you must—will you +do so, Magde?—close my eyes with your own hands, and +sing a psalm to me."</p> + +<p>To all these touching requests, which were rendered +still more affecting by the tender expression of his eyes, +Magde replied tearfully:</p> + +<p>"My dear Carl, your words shall be obeyed."</p> + +<p>Carl smiled. He was now happier at the thought of his +approaching death, which would bring such proofs of +Magde's affection, than one who might have possessed +a prospect of a long and luxurious life.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191"></a>The lilac bushes blossomed, and Magde placed the first +flowers in his hands while he yet could inhale their fragrance. +The last flowers she strewed upon his grave.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Conclusion.</span></h3> + + +<p>A long season of gloom and despondency succeeded the +death of Carl.</p> + +<p>It was fortunate that Ragnar returned home at an earlier +period than usually; the flowers on Carl's grave had +not withered when Magde piously conducted him to his +brother's final resting-place.</p> + +<p>"Rest in peace, poor brother," said Ragnar, brushing +away a tear, "God saw best to take you from us—but, +dear Magde, you must not grieve too much for his death, +or you will not be able to rejoice at the news I have for +you."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193"></a>"What news, Ragnar?"</p> + +<p>"Captain Hanson, who has been master of the brig +Sarah Christiana ever since I have been her mate, has latterly +become very much reduced in health, and he has concluded +not to go to sea again."</p> + +<p>"Well, that cannot be joyful news. He was a better +captain than perhaps you will ever sail under again."</p> + +<p>"I shall never sail under another captain. I shall be +captain myself, hereafter. The owners of the vessel have +tendered the captaincy to me."</p> + +<p>"Is it possible?"</p> + +<p>"It will soon be more than possible, for my old captain +has so well recommended me, that Mr. Lund has advanced +me a sufficient sum of money to pay the charges of my +examination, and as soon as Christmas is over—for until +then I shall study at home—I will take a journey to prepare +myself, and after the examination you will be the wife +of a captain. Then you and Nanna can go with me to +Goteborg, that you may see the vessel before I go to sea."</p> + +<p>Magde quietly clasped her hands. Her pious gratitude +was evinced in her every expression. She thanked her +God for having thus favored them with fortune.</p> + +<p>Ragnar silently embraced her. "I did not say anything +about it yesterday, for I wished to tell you here near +Carl, who always placed his pleasures aside that they might +not interfere with yours."</p> + +<p>"Bless you, bless you, Ragnar! I now know why I +<a name="Page_194" id="Page_194"></a>found so many four leaved clovers last summer—only +think, a captain's wife!—and still you love me as before?"</p> + +<p>"Now and forever, my Magde. You shall have a bonnet +as magnificent as any other lady; you shall have a +cashmere shawl, and a black silk dress. Yes, I promise you +all this, and more."</p> + +<p>"Let us return home quickly, that I may rejoice father +and Nanna."</p> + +<p>And Nanna and her father were as much rejoiced at the +glad tidings as was Magde herself.</p> + +<p>A few days afterwards, Magde and her father were +seated together in the parlor consulting about the future.</p> + +<p>"The Lord thus distributes joys and sorrows. One +year ago our prospects were much different."</p> + +<p>"Have I forgotten that time? No! And if I should +live a hundred years, I would never forget the day you +were taken from us to prison, nor the day you were released +by Mr. Gottlieb. This year Ragnar must send him +the balance still due him."</p> + +<p>"We can repay him the money; but we can never +reward him for his kindness and love. He has not returned +to Almvik, and perhaps it is for the best, and as +Nanna under any circumstance—"</p> + +<p>The old man was suddenly interrupted by a shrill blast +from the outside, which blast was produced by some one +blowing upon a blade of grass.</p> + +<p>"Well, well," exclaimed Magde glancing through the +<a name="Page_195" id="Page_195"></a>window, and then rushing to the door, "the old proverb +is true, 'talk of—'"</p> + +<p>"A certain gentleman and he is here," interrupted +Gottlieb, entering the door with his face beaming with his +usual cheerfulness. He presented one hand to Magde, +and the other to old Mr. Lonner, who exclaimed with glistening +eyes:</p> + +<p>"Welcome, welcome, Mr. Gottlieb. Ragnar intended to +write you to-day, and I just told Magde we are able to +discharge one part of our debt, but the other can never be +repaid."</p> + +<p>"Enough, enough, good father Lonner, I too was influenced +by a selfish motive—but pardon me, where is +Nanna?"</p> + +<p>"She has gone to fish with Ragnar and little Conrad," +said Magde, who had already manufactured an urn of +coffee, "but they will soon return."</p> + +<p>"Aha! is Mate Lonner at home. Then I can become +acquainted with him."</p> + +<p>"<i>Captain</i> Lonner, next spring at least, Mr. Gottlieb," +said Magde, proudly.</p> + +<p>"Crown Secretary, now, instead of Mr. Gottlieb, if you +please, Mrs. Lonner."</p> + +<p>"So soon?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, eight days ago I received the appointment; but +my <i>great</i> fortune will come next spring, for then I hope +to have a little house of my own."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196"></a>"Yes, and perhaps a housekeeper too," added Magde.</p> + +<p>"Possibly."</p> + +<p>At this reply Magde cast a secret glance towards her +father, which he returned. Gottlieb, however, changed the +conversation, and commenced speaking of the death of +poor Carl of which he had before been informed. During +the next half hour, Gottlieb evinced the utmost impatience. +He would walk to the window and gaze anxiously +towards the lake, not observing that Magde and her +father were exchanging significant glances and smiles +behind his back.</p> + +<p>At length he spied the boat, and he hastened down to +the beach. The skiff contained the brother and sister, and +their little companion.</p> + +<p>A sympathetic sentiment seemed to have pervaded the +entire family, for during their excursion Nanna and Ragnar +conversed almost entirely about her young friend Gottlieb. +So nicely had Ragnar probed his sister's heart that +he knew almost as much about its true condition as Carl +had previously learned. Although Ragnar would have +desired to have believed as Carl did, he did not think it +proper to offer Nanna any further consolation, than by +saying that since he had received a captaincy she was placed +on a more equal footing with Gottlieb and that he would +do everything in his power to render her happy.</p> + +<p>"I know you will, Ragnar," replied Nanna, "but only +one thing can ever afford me happiness."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197"></a>After these words the conversation ceased, and the brother +and sister commenced their homeward ride.</p> + +<p>In his great haste Gottlieb nearly ran into the water, in +which Ragnar was standing fastening the boat; but so +much was he astonished by the marvellous change which +taken place in Nanna's appearance that he was forced +to start back and gaze silently upon her. Nanna in the +meantime appeared abstracted. She had not observed +Gottlieb's approach; but sat in the boat slowly moving one +of the oars, apparently in the deepest thought.</p> + +<p>But how can we describe Nanna's joyful surprise when +she discovered Gottlieb. Ragnar's presence prevented +her from giving vent to her joy in words; but the joyful +expression of her eyes was a more than sufficient welcome.</p> + +<p>We will not describe the first interview between Ragnar +and Gottlieb—suffice it to say it was the meeting of +two brothers; not of two strangers. Neither will we +describe the first hour of <i>mutual</i> congratulations; but we +will at once draw the reader's attention to a pleasing picture +near the fountain in the meadow. Here the two +lovers had proceeded that they might confer with each +other uninterrupted.</p> + +<p>"You see, my little nymph, I have come back. Do +you think that I have an honorable spirit and a true heart? +Now tell me, have you grown so beautiful, for me; yes +<a name="Page_198" id="Page_198"></a>so beautiful that I can well be proud of you as my own +little wife?"</p> + +<p>"Wife! are you then serious?"</p> + +<p>"Serious we shall never be, we will make a third agreement, +which is that we shall live henceforth without a +gloomy thought or serious foreboding. Although we +shall marry, as it is said, for 'love in a cottage,' yet we are +both so familiar with the reality of the cottage, that our +romantic dreams, if we have any, will be fully realized."</p> + +<p>"True, very true," said Nanna smiling, and her countenance +radiant with joy, appeared still more beautiful, +"and now I am—"</p> + +<p>"—Betrothed," said Gottlieb joyfully embracing her.</p> + +<p>How happy were the inmates of the little cottage that +evening!</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>When the news of Gottlieb's betrothal reached Almvik, +Mrs. Ulrica foretold that nothing but evil would result +from the wedding.</p> + +<p>Mr. Fabian, however, who secretly esteemed Gottlieb, +was silent; but afterwards when the young couple were +firmly united he would hold them up as examples and say +<a name="Page_199" id="Page_199"></a>that some men could be happy with a wife who did not +possess riches and station.</p> + +<p>"But that," insisted Mrs. Ulrica, "is no reason why a +poor man should not know to prize the happiness which a +wealthy wife could procure for him."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> The author of a celebrated Swedish cook book.</p></div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Home in the Valley, by Emilie F. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Home in the Valley + +Author: Emilie F. Carlen + +Translator: Elbert Perce + +Release Date: August 3, 2005 [EBook #16422] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HOME IN THE VALLEY *** + + + + +Produced by Bill Tozier, Barbara Tozier, Sigal Alon and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + +[Transcriber's Note: Some words which appear to be typos or misspelled +are printed thus in the original book.] + + + + +THE +HOME IN THE VALLEY. + +By +EMILIE F. CARLEN, + +Author of "One Year Of Wedlock," "The Whimsical Woman," +"Gustavus Lindorm," etc. etc. + +From the original Swedish by +ELBERT PERCE. + + +New York +Charles Scribner, 145 Nassau-street. + +1854. + + + Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1854, by + CHARLES SCRIBNER, + in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States + for the Southern District of New York. + + + +Tobitt's Combination-Type, +181 William St. + + + + + +TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE + + +A few years ago, Mrs. Carlen was comparatively unknown to readers in +this country; but the marked success which followed the publication of +"One Year of Wedlock" encouraged the translator in the endeavor to +present that lady's works to the American public. + +In her writings Mrs. Carlen exhibits a versatility which may be +considered remarkable. While in one book she revels in descriptions of +home-scenes and characters, in another she presents her readers with +events and incidents that bear a strong resemblance to the startling +and melo-dramatic productions of many of the modern romance writers of +France. + +This peculiarity, however, may be accounted for by the fact that she +writes--as she herself confesses--entirely from impulse. + +When her mind is clouded by sorrow--and she has been oppressed with many +bitter griefs--she seeks to remove the cause of her despondency by +creating a hero or heroine, afflicted like herself, and following this +individual through a train of circumstances which, she imagines, would +naturally occur during a life of continued gloom and sorrow. + +On the other hand, when life appears bright and beautiful to her, then +she tells a tale of joy; a story of domestic life, for where does pure +happiness exist except at the fireside at home? + +It must have been during one of these bright intervals of her life that +Mrs. Carlen wrote "The Home in the Valley," for the work is a continued +description of the delights of home, which, although occasionally +obscured by grief, and in some instances, by folly, are rendered still +more precious by their brief absence. + +_New York_, August 15th, 1854. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE VALLEY. + + +In one of father La Fontaine's books, may be found a description of a +lovely valley, the residence of a beautiful and modest maiden, and of +the heroine of this Arcadia he writes: + +"There stands our heroine, as lovely as the valley, her home, and as +virtuous and good as her mother, who has devoted a lifetime to the +education of her daughter." + +But with the history of this maiden he weaves the workings of an evil +genius, which in the end is triumphant; for even the pure are +contaminated after they arrive at that period when they consider that +vice has its virtues. + +Our story is located near the beautiful Lake Wenner, in a valley which +much resembles that described by La Fontaine. As we enter this valley, +the first object that meets our view is a small red-colored cottage. A +vine twines itself gracefully over one of the windows, the glass panes +of which glisten through the green leaves, which slightly parted, +disclose the sober visage of an ancient black cat, that is demurely +looking forth upon the door yard. She has chosen a sunny spot on the +window sill, for the cheering beams of the sun are as grateful to a cat, +as is the genial warmth of the stove to an old man, when winter has +resumed his sway upon earth. If we should enter the cottage, we would in +all probability find the proprietor of the little estate seated in his +old arm-chair, while his daughter-in-law--but more of this anon. + +From the cottage the ground descended in a slight slope, which +terminated in a white sandy beach at the margin of the lake. Near the +beach were fastened the small skiffs, which swayed to and fro amongst +the rushes, where the children delighted to sail their miniature ships. +From the rear of the house the little valley extended itself in +undulating fields and meadows, interspersed with barren hillocks and +thrifty potato patches. In the fields could be heard the tinkling of the +cow-bells, the bleating of lambs, and the barking of a dog as he +gathered together his little flock. Carlo was a fortunate dog, for the +farm was so small that he could keep his entire charge within sight at +all times. + +Near the centre of the valley stood a large tree, the widely spread +branches of which shaded a spring, which gushed forth from beneath a +huge moss-covered stone. This was the favorite place of resort of a +beautiful maiden, who might be seen almost every summer evening +reclining upon the moss that bordered the verge of the spring. + +"There stands our heroine, as lovely as the valley, her home, and as +virtuous and good as her mother, who has devoted a lifetime to the +education of her daughter." + +But many years before the date of our story, Nanna had lost the +protection of her beloved mother; yet the loss had been partially +supplied by her sister-in-law, who occupied the places of a kind mother, +a gentle sister, and a faithful friend. + +Nanna was now in her sixteenth year; but to all appearances she was much +younger. Unlike others of her years, her cheeks did not display the +bloom of maidenhood, and her countenance lacked the vivacity natural to +her age. Her features wore an expression of melancholy, which was +perfectly in keeping with the pallor of her cheeks, the pearly whiteness +of which vied in brilliancy with the hue of a lily. + +Nanna was the child of poverty, and belonged to that class of beings, +who, situated between riches and nobility on the one hand, and poverty +on the other, are considered as upstarts by the wealthy as well as the +poor. + +Nanna's father, when young, was placed in an entirely different position +of life than that in which we now find him. An illegitimate son, he +entered the world with a borrowed title, but with fair prospects for the +future; for his father, a man of consequence and wealth, intended to +marry his mother, and thus the son would bear no longer the stigma of +his father's crime. But death, who in this case had been forgotten, +suddenly cut the thread of his father's life, and the mother and son +were driven forth from the house of their protector, deprived of honor, +wealth, and station. + +This is an old, very old and thread-bare story, and not more novel is +that which generally follows. First comes melancholy, then great +exertions on the part of the injured party; next dashed hope, and +finally gloomy resignation. + +The mother died, the son lived to pass through the life we have above +described, but which was ended, however, by matrimony. He married after +he had passed his fortieth year. + +Before his marriage, Carl Lonner passed through the various gradations +in society, from the nobleman to the simple gentleman. He supported +himself by revenues he derived from a small business, and by drawing up +legal papers for the surrounding peasantry and fishermen. For a wife he +had chosen the daughter of a half pay sergeant, and in this case his +fortunate star was in the ascendant, for she not only brought him a +loving heart, but also the little farm on which he resided at the date +of our story. + +We will now, however, turn our attentions to Nanna, who is sitting +beneath the tree near the spring, in which she has been bathing her +feet. + + * * * * * + +As Nanna glanced into the clear water of the spring, she shuddered +convulsively, although the air was warm, for it was a June evening, but +it was a shudder from within that shook her slight form. Nanna had +lately perceived that her dear sister-in-law, Magde, when she thought +herself unseen, had shed tears, and the poor girl's heart beat with a +sensation of undefined fear, for when Magde weeps, thought she, there +must have been a great cause. + +"Why is the world so formed as it is? Some flowers are so modest and +little that they would be trodden under foot unless great care is taken, +while others elevate their great and gaudy heads above the grass. The +latter are the rich, while the little down-trodden blossoms are the +poor. And so it is with even the birds! one is greater than the other, +and mankind is not behind them. We belong to the poor; there," she +continued, turning her deep eyes towards a distant point in the horizon, +on the other side of the lake, "there lives the rich; they take no +notice of us. Even the poor fishermen and peasants say, 'Our children +cannot be the play-fellows of Mademoiselle Nanna.' Mademoiselle, +Mademoiselle," she repeated slowly, "it is shameful to call me so! and +how much better it would be to call Magde good mother, than to give her +the title of My Lady! To be poor is not so bad, but to be friendless is +bitter indeed." + +As she thus sat, with her eyes fixed mournfully upon the distant object +which was the roof of an elegant house, which was barely visible over +the brow of a hill, she was startled by the noise of approaching +footsteps. She had scarcely cast her mantle over her white shoulders, +which she had uncovered during her ablutions, when, to her great +astonishment, she discovered a stranger rapidly approaching towards her. +He was clothed in a light frock coat; a knapsack was fastened upon his +shoulders, and in his hand he swung a knotted stick. Nanna had never +before beheld a personage who resembled the stranger. His face, browned +in the sun, until it resembled that of a gipsy, wore an honest and frank +expression, and his dark curling hair, which fell in thick clusters from +his black felt hat, added to the pleasing aspect of his countenance. + +Nanna, who at her first glance at the youth, had thought him a gipsy, +which wild tribe she greatly feared, was reassured by a second look. + +The stranger, on his side, appeared greatly astonished at the sudden +appearance of the beautiful water nymph, for such a goddess Nanna much +resembled, as she stood, with her garments flowing gracefully around her +slight figure; her tiny white feet playing with the moist grass, and her +pale and mournful face, encircled with golden locks, that fell +negligently upon her white and well rounded shoulders. + +The youth thus addressed her: + +"Pardon me, lovely naiad. It appears that I have taken the wrong path, +although I supposed that I had chosen the right direction." + +"Whither are you going?" inquired Nanna, in a voice sweet and melodious. + +"To Almvik," replied the stranger. + +"Alas!" said the maid, casting a peculiar glance at his knapsack, "I +hoped that you were not a member of the aristocracy." + +"Oh, my little sylph, for I know not what else to call you, is my face +so poor a recommendation, that I cannot be considered a man because I +carry a pack on my back?" + +"Are those of noble birth the only men?" inquired Nanna, and a gloomy +expression fell upon her lips, which a moment before had been illumined +with a sunny smile. + +"Ah," replied the youth, "the longer I gaze upon your dear face, the +more I esteem you. Far be it from me to wound your sensitive nature. If +it will comfort you, I will say that no man can long more earnestly +than I do for the time when all mankind shall be equal." + +"Do you speak from your heart?" + +"I do, earnestly; but tell me your name." + +"Nanna, Nanna of the Valley, I am called." + +"That is poetical; but have you no other name?" + +"I am sometimes called Mademoiselle Nanna; but that grieves me, for we +are poor people." + +"Ah! I thought that you were something more than a peasant girl. Pardon +me, I have spoken too familiarly. I knew not your station." + +"Familiarly!" + +"I addressed you too warmly." + +"Your words sounded well when you thus spoke." + +"Possibly; but henceforth I shall address you as Mademoiselle Nanna." + +"Shall we then see each other again?" + +"Yes, yes, quite probably--we are to be neighbors." + +"You intend, then, to reside at Almvik?" + +"Yes, for a few weeks, perhaps during the whole summer; but I pray you +come with me a few steps on my road, I need your guidance." + +Nanna sprang to her feet, and as she stood before the young man, her +eyes sparkling with unusual brilliancy, her garments falling in graceful +folds over her sylph-like limbs, he gazed at her as if enchained by her +almost superhuman beauty. To the youthful stranger's request she +answered by putting her little white feet in such active motion, that +they seemed to tread upon the air instead of the green sward. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE COTTAGE. + + +The interior of the little building to which we now turn, was thus +arranged: The ground floor was divided into a kitchen and three other +apartments, viz:--a middle sized room, by favor called the parlor, in +which was generally the dwelling place of the family, and a small +chamber on either side of the parlor. One of these was the bed-chamber +of Carl Lonner, and the other was occupied by his eldest son and his +wife. + +The upper story, that is, the attic, contained two divisions, and the +sole dominion of these airy apartments was granted to two younger +members of the family; the front room belonging to Nanna, and the other +to her brother Carl, known in the neighborhood by the nick-name of +"Wiseacre," and under certain circumstances as "Crazy Carl," although it +would have been difficult to find throughout the entire neighborhood a +personage wiser than honest Carl. + +Throughout the entire building the marks of poverty were plainly +evident; but at the same time each object presented a tidy and cleanly +appearance and although the cottage lacked many luxuries, still comfort +seemed to reign supreme. The rush covered floor; the table, polished to +brightness; and the flower vases, filled with odorous boquets of lilacs, +the neat window curtains, the handicraft of Nanna, the crimson sofa +curtain, embroidered by the thrifty Magde, all combined, proved that the +inmates of the cottage, had not only the taste, but also the inclination +to render home pleasant even under the most adverse circumstances. + + * * * * * + +At the time that Nanna had started forth as a guide to the youthful +stranger, old Mr. Lonner was seated near the side of his bed in his +private apartment. Although weighed down by age and the grief that had +oppressed his early life, he nevertheless possessed that gentleness and +sociability, which had ever been the characteristic traits of his life. +His flowing white locks fell around his countenance, from which the +traces of manly beauty had not been entirely eradicated, and as he +smoked his pipe with an air of dignified pleasure, he would occasionally +glance towards a young matron, who, seated in a large arm chair, was +reading aloud a letter to him. + +The letter bore the postmark of Goteborg, and was written by the old +man's eldest son, Ragnar Lonner, the husband of the matron. He was mate +of a trading vessel, and three months before had bidden farewell to his +wife and family. As she continued reading the letter, three children who +had been playing, commenced a little dispute about the proprietorship of +a large apple. In an opposite corner Carl had stationed himself. He was +a full grown youth with a face bearing an expression of mingled +silliness and wisdom.--As he glanced from under his long hair, first at +the bed-quilt, then at the quarrelling children, he paid close attention +to all that his sister-in-law was reading aloud. Carl was not the +simpleton people considered him, although his highest ambition appeared +to consist in erecting dirt houses and making mud-pies. + +"Magde," said the old man, casting a glance of affection upon the +vivacious Magdalena. "You had better read that letter again. Ragnar is a +son who has his heart in the right place." + +"And a husband too!" added Magde, and a flush of joyful pride overspread +her blooming cheeks. + +"Yes, and a brother also; read the letter once more, it will be none +the less pleasant to read it a third time when Nanna returns." + +Magde, who had not refolded the letter, commenced reading again, and her +voice trembled with pride and emotion as she read as follows:-- + + "Beloved Magde: + + "When you shall break the seal of this letter, I feel assured that + you will wish you possessed wings that you might be enabled to fly + to your loving husband. And as I think I see you approaching me + through the air, surrounded by our little angels,--may God protect + them,--the tears start to my eyes, tears which no man should be + ashamed to shed, and I feel an inward desire to hasten to meet you. + + "But now, dear Magde, I must control my thoughts, and so direct + them to you, that they shall prove intelligible. I arrived, on the + eighth day of this month, at Goteborg, in safety and in good + health. I hope our father is well and capable of enjoying as usual, + the balmy air and bright verdure of summer. + + "Our little cottage is a pleasant residence, in spite of all its + disadvantages, and I feel assured that both yourself and Nanna do + all that lies in your power to cheer our mutual parent, when he is + sick and dispirited. + + "One night while our vessel was lying in the canal, I was visited + by an evil dream, but dreams are empty and meaningless, and I hope + that no more of my disagreeable fancies will be realized than that + you at home, may experience a little anxiety and solicitude + concerning the welfare of the absent one. + + "The Spring of the year is always the most severe season, for + winter consumes the harvest of the preceding summer. + + "Well, we have many mouths to feed--God protect our children.--When + they are older they will work for us. It was my intention to send + you a small sum of money in this letter; but I was obliged to wait + until Jon Jonson, who is here at present with his sloop, shall + commence his homeward voyage, for I can place no dependence upon + young Rask to whom I am obliged to entrust this letter, as he might + be tempted on his way to the post office to enter a beer-house, and + there lose the money. I am forced to send Rask to the office, as I + am obliged to remain on the vessel until it is unloaded. + + "I will tell you in advance that I shall not be able to send you a + large amount of money; but instead of that, I shall forward you + when Jonson returns, a quantity of foreign goods which I have been + fortunate enough to purchase and to place on board his sloop + without paying the duty, which you know is heavy. It consists of + sugar, coffee, tobacco, cotton yarn, and a package of silks. + + "You, my dear wife, must select the best, a silk shawl which you + will find in the package. Nanna may have the next best shawl, and + you may give Carl the blue handkerchief which is at the bottom of + the parcel. I have not forgotten father. I shall send him a small + cask of liquor, and in the parcel of silks you will find a bundle + of toys for the children. + + "You cannot imagine--but still you must--how pleasant it is to + deprive oneself of luxuries that you may provide for the wants of + those whom you have left at home. + + "My ship-mates frequently say that I am severe towards them when at + sea, perhaps I am; but it grieves me when I see those noble men, so + skillful in the management of our vessel, lavish their money when + on shore in foolish pleasures. They have as great reason to be + economical as I have myself, and I cannot resist from occasionally + censuring them, and therefore I may not appear so kind to them as I + am to you when at home, or while I am writing this letter. Although + all my efforts may be fruitless, still I feel assured that there is + not one man amongst them who would not peril his existence to + rescue 'the tiger,' as they call me, from any danger. They well + know that I would not stop to think, but would spring into the + ocean at once, if it was necessary, to rescue them. + + "But, my dear Magde, a word in confidence. I am neither as wise or + as well educated as my father was in his younger days, yet I would + not wound your feelings either by word or action; but I must inform + you that a rumor has reached my ears about a certain man, whose + neck I once would have twisted willingly, because, when in church, + he looked at you oftener than he did at the minister. + + "But if, when I return, I discover that that villain from Almvik + has been poaching on my grounds, he must look to safety. In you, + Magde, I can place all confidence, and shall therefore say nothing + further. And now farewell. Remember me firstly to my father, and + then to my sister, and my children. + + "Your faithful husband, + "RAGNAR LONNER. + + "P.S. During the soft moonlight nights, when on my watch, I see + your form, dear Magde, bright and beautiful, as I look over the + wake of the vessel. And when the night is dark and cloudy, I see + you sitting by my side, the binnacle light shining upon your + pleasant face, which is illumined with smiles as I gaze upon little + Conrad, whom I imagine a fine full grown lad, climbing the shrouds + with all the eagerness of a competent sailor. But, belay, otherwise + my letter will be under sail again." + +When Magde read the portion of her husband's letter which he had +intended as confidential, her voice trembled as it did when she had +first read the letter. + +"It would have been my desire," said she, "that Ragnar had sent the +money in the letter. It has been more than three weeks, dear father, +since you have partaken of other food than fish, bread and potatoes. +Ah! I wish we had a quarter of beef!" + +"O, stop your prating, child! Fish is very good food indeed." + +"But not strengthening. How delicious it would be if we only had a +partridge, or even a rabbit. Certainly they would not cost much! But who +dare think of such luxuries? All delicacies must be sent to Almvik." + +"God grant that we may have nothing worse to expect from Almvik, than +that they should prevent us from enjoying luxuries that poor people +cannot expect to procure." + +"O, that is not my opinion. In winter-time, when Ragnar is at home, he +procures us many a savory dish with his gun." + +"Yes, but I think that if Ragnar has disturbed the hunting grounds of +Almvik, he may consider himself fortunate if the proprietor has not +poached upon his own premises in return. The affairs of Almvik are far +differently conducted than they were formerly, under the sway of the +ancient proprietor." + +During their conversation the old man and Magde had taken no notice of +Carl, who, while he listened to their words, contorted his face in such +a manner that it would have been difficult to decide whether he was +laughing or crying. He placed his hands over his face; but between his +fingers his eyes could be seen peering out with a peculiar expression at +Magde. + +"I will no longer feign ignorance of your meaning, father," replied +Magde, with a visible effort to suppress her anger. "It is true that in +words, and even in actions, he has conducted himself with more +presumption than he would have dared to assume last winter; but fear +not, I well know how to protect the honor of my name." + +"And as you thus speak you vainly endeavor to conceal your emotions," +said the old man suspiciously. + +"Do not think that he has endeavored to plant his snare for a simple +dove. When he would snatch his prize, he may learn that I possess both +beak and talons." + +"Well, my child," replied Mr. Lonner, with a laugh, "it is a fortunate +chance that you are the daughter of a father who was a man of the world; +but your birth entitled you to a higher position in life than that which +you now occupy." + +"You speak strangely, father." + +"Why, you might have married Mr. Trystedt who possessed riches and +lands, while now you live in absolute poverty." + +"Why should you think of that? Is it not better to live in poverty with +love, than to possess untold riches without love? Does the whole earth +contain a better husband than my Ragnar? Is he not a skillful sailor? I +have no doubt but that had he not been married he would long ago have +been promoted to a captaincy. He is a thousand times more of a +gentleman, at any time, than that old Trystedt, who was a torment to all +he whom he met." + +"Thank God! If you are satisfied, then all is right, and even if we are +at present in straightened circumstances all will be made right when +Jonson arrives. I hope that he will be careful of the goods entrusted to +him." + +A slight noise in an adjoining room, notified the mother that her infant +child had awakened. She instantly arose and left the apartment. Magde +was a dignified and elegant woman, although her countenance was pleasing +rather than beautiful, and as she moved towards the door the old man's +eyes followed her with a gaze of admiration and love. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +HUSBAND AND WIFE. + + +About a half a mile from the valley--the name of which we shall conceal, +as many personages who are to play a part in our little story are still +living--was situated the estate of Almvik, which the present proprietor +Fabian H----, had purchased one year before, and had immediately removed +thither with his family. + +Mr. H----, and above all his puissant wife Mistress Ulrica Eugenia, her +proper name, but which she had afterwards tortured into the more refined +patronymic, Ulrique Eugenie--were individuals who moved in the higher +classes of society, at least he who should endeavor to prove to the +contrary would find the task a thankless one. + +Mr. Fabian H----, imagined himself a second Brutus, that is to say; he +was fully convinced that the time would certainly arrive when he should +arouse himself from his present listlessness; when he should be released +from the thraldom of his wife, and awaken to renewed strength and vigor. +But it was much to be feared that poor Brutus never would realize his +bright anticipations of liberty. + +Mistress Ulrica Eugenia was characterized by a strong desire to assist +in the work of emancipating women from the tyranny of men, and that she +might forward the good work she had entirely set at naught the command +that a wife should obey her husband; she openly declared that the +ancient law which compelled the woman to subserve to the man, was but a +concoction of man himself, that the Bible itself never contained such an +absurd command, but that the translators, who she triumphantly affirmed +were men, had placed that law in the scripture, merely to suit their own +selfish ends. She also affirmed that she would stake her life upon the +issue that she would not find, even if she should search the scriptures +through, such an absurd command. And she was right. _She_ would not find +it. + +In the immediate neighborhood of Almvik, Mr. H---- was reverenced as a +wealthy nobleman, and a man of power. He wished to be considered a +hospitable man, and frequently rejoiced his neighbors with invitations +to visit his beautiful estate. To him strangers were godsends. He +entertained them to the best of his ability, invited the neighbors to +see them, and although his little soirees were very pleasant, still, as +the guests were drawn from all classes of society, many amusing scenes +were enacted, in all of which, Mistress Ulrica Eugenia performed a +prominent and independent part. + +Although Mrs. Ulrica had liberated herself from all obedience to her +legal master, and had in fact assumed the reins of government herself, +she nevertheless possessed some, if not a great deal of affection for +the rosy cheeks and sleepy eyes of her husband, and at the same time she +kept a watchful eye upon those whom she suspected of partaking with her +in this sentiment. Not only was Mrs. H---- occasionally aggravated by +the pangs of jealousy, but she was also tormented by the thought that +her husband entirely confided in her own fidelity, thus at once cutting +off the possibility of a love quarrel and a reconciliation. + +Upon the evening when we first made the personal acquaintance of the +inmates of Almvik, Mr. H---- and his wife were riding out in their gig; +for in the morning they rode in a light hunting wagon, and at noon they +used the large family coach. + +Mr. H----, immediately before starting forth on the ride had received a +severe lecture from his spouse, because he indulged in an afternoon's +nap, instead of devising means for the amusement of the family, that +is, of the worthy dame herself, and their only treasure, the little +Eugene Ulrich, and Mr. H----, we say, never felt inclined for sprightly +conversation after such a lecture. + +He well knew that he would be obliged to succumb in everything; but like +a stubborn boy, who is punished by being compelled to stand in a corner +until shame forces him to submit, Mr. H---- determined, to speak +figuratively--to stand silently in that corner the entire day rather +than to acknowledge himself conquered. + +That was, at least, one point gained, towards his emancipation. It +cannot but be supposed, however, that, if the lecture had been upon any +other subject less trivial than the mere act of sleeping, Mr. H---- +would have undoubtedly acted in an entirely different manner. At least +that is the only excuse we can find for his conduct on this occasion. + +"Well," said Mistress Ulrica, straightening herself up in her seat with +the utmost dignity, "upon my honor, Mr. H----, you are a _very_ +agreeable companion." + +"I am obliged to be careful while driving." + +"Is it necessary that you should sit there as dumb as a fence post?" + +No reply. + +"Well, I must say that your sulkiness is not to be envied. Suppose some +one should see us--I mean you--why they would readily believe that your +wife was an old woman." + +"Now, now, my dear Ulrique Eugenie, don't--" + +"Your dear Ulrique Eugenie is not yet thirty eight years old, and even +though you are two years younger, I do not think that should make any +difference." + +"On the contrary, on the contrary," grumbled her husband, chuckling +inwardly. + +"I do not know but what your words have a double meaning; but Fabian, +_we_ must not quarrel, let us become reconciled, there is my hand." + +"Your heart ever overflows with the milk of human kindness, my dear," +said he. + +"Thank you, my dear husband,--but can you imagine what I really intended +to say?" + +"Indeed I cannot." + +"I intended to say, should you ever cast your eyes upon another--" + +"God forbid!" + +"You may well say God forbid, am I not your wife, who will not allow her +rights to be trodden under foot?" + +"Am I not aware of that?" + +"Even if you are, my dear, there is no harm in my saying that if I +should discover the slightest cause which would arouse my suspicion I +would scratch out your eyes!" + +"Sweet _Ulgenie_!" + +_Ulgenie_, a word which the reader will observe, is compounded from the +words Ulrica and Eugenie, was one of those contorted terms of +endearment, which Mrs. H---- permitted her husband to use during their +moments of tenderness. Should he wish to address her in an extremely +affectionate manner, he would term her his "pet Ulte," an expression +which had also originated in the fertile mind of the loving wife! + +On this occasion the husband considered the first expression +sufficiently affectionate, and in all probability many tender +recollections were associated with those three syllables, for no sooner +had he uttered the name "Ulgenie," than she cast her eyes downward with +an unusual gentle expression, and in a changed tone of voice, she +whispered:-- + +"Never again my dearest husband shall we differ in our opinions. +Equality in marriage renders it a useful institution; but to change the +subject, it is long since you have made any hunting excursions, dear +Fabian, to-morrow you must go." + +As Mistress Ulrica was determined that her husband should become a +skillful sportsman, she gave him rest neither night nor day, unless he +devoted at least two days of the week to hunting or fishing excursions. +Not that Mr. H---- was a sportsman; but that it afforded his wife great +pleasure to inform her guests, that a certain moorcock was killed by her +dear Fabian, or that he had caught the pike which then graced their +table, for, she would add complacently, her Fabian was well aware that +she took great delight in eating the game taken by his skillful hand. + +Therefore there were no means of escape for him, he must by force become +a sportsman, for a wife who is laboring for the emancipation of +womankind, never will permit her desires to remain ungratified. During +the conversation the vehicle approached the mansion. Mr. Fabian H----, +during the entire ride, had thought upon the pipe and sofa which awaited +him upon his return, for he smoked like a Turk, and loved the ease of +oriental life. There was one pursuit, however, which afforded him still +greater pleasure, and that was to ogle other men's wives, for he was an +unfortunate son of Adam, never being able to discover beauties which his +wife might have possessed. + + * * * * * + +"Who can that be!" exclaimed Mistress Ulrica Eugenia as the gig entered +the court-yard, "who is that elegant young man descending the door +steps? is it possible that he is my nephew little Gottlieb?" + +"Yes he is, my dear Aunt Ulrica, I was little Gottlieb, but I have grown +up to be big Gottlieb," answered a cheerful voice, and the next moment +the young man whose acquaintance we have before made, embraced the lady +warmly, and then heartily shook his uncle's extended hand. Uncle Fabian +however, was not overjoyed at his wife's determination of introducing +into his house a stripling who might perhaps become a spy upon his +actions and make reports that would call forth the entire vigor of his +wife's tongue. + +After the first torrent of welcomings, questions and answers,--for Mr. +H---- did not dare do otherwise than to cordially welcome his guest--had +subsided, and the family had entered the dining room, and the hostess +had pressed the acceptance of a third cup of tea upon the young man, who +was already sufficiently heated without undergoing this ordeal; she thus +addressed him:-- + +"Now, my dear little Gottlieb, you look remarkably well, you little +rogue. Is it really true that you have made this long journey to see us +on foot?" + +"It is indeed true; this green coat is my usual costume when I do not +wear a blouse, which is my favorite garment. My better apparel is +contained within my knapsack, and thus I have given you an invoice of my +wardrobe, which you see, my dear aunt, is not very extensive." + +"But your under-clothes, my child?" + +"What, under-clothes, do you think I could give my dear uncle so much +trouble as to bring linen clothes with me?" + +"What a careless fellow you are!" + +"'You have now,' said my mother, when I took my leave, 'you have now +four rare pieces of linen, styled shirts; but when you return, you must +travel by steam, for you will undoubtedly possess twenty-four!'" + +"Ah!" replied his aunt, with a smile, "I understand you now." + +"How do you understand me?" inquired Gottlieb. + +"As belonging to that class of persons, sir, who never find themselves +at a loss," replied uncle Fabian, in a tone of voice which he intended +should be overwhelming. + +Gottlieb, however, was not inclined to be thus easily driven from the +field. "You have hit the nail upon the head," said he, with an assumed +expression of respect for the decision of his uncle, "and it is by the +means of that very trait of character which you have mentioned, that I +hope to work myself through the world, although I am only the son of a +poor secretary in a government office, who is embarrassed by debt and a +large family, thus you perceive I cannot depend solely upon the whims of +fortune." + +"What then are your prospects for the future?" inquired the lady +seriously. + +"I have but one," replied Gottlieb. + +"And what is that?" + +"My plan is very simple, I have thoroughly studied financial matters, +and in the fall intend to help my father in his office, so that he can +spare the services of his two assistants. He will then have only one +salary to pay; but I think that I can do the work of three, and as I +intend to become a model of order, capability and energy, I hope to be +able to win the favor of the head of the treasury department, so that +when my father, who at present is in a very feeble state of health, +shall be obliged to resign, I may be appointed in his stead. This is my +plan." + +"You are a shrewd young man," said Mistress Ulrica. + +"It is not necessary to be shrewd when the high road is plain before +you." + +"But at least you must possess sufficient knowledge of the world to +prevent you, in your youth, from leaving the high road, and wasting your +time in useless dreaming." + +"Of dreaming, he who has nothing but his head and hands to depend on, +must not be afraid. If one wishes to enjoy pleasant dreams, he must not +trouble his head about that which he is to eat when he awakes." + +"Good! good!" exclaimed Ulrica, "I hope that your wise plans will +succeed, and I do not doubt but what they will, they are so well laid, +and aside from that you are not striving for yourself alone, but for +your parents, to whom I am sure you will always prove a dutiful and +grateful child." + +"That is why I should become my father's successor, dear aunt. Had I not +thought of this plan, I would undoubtedly have formed some other; but +with this I am satisfied." + +"And do you intend to afford us the pleasure of your company this +summer?" inquired uncle Fabian, abruptly. + +"With your permission, dear uncle, your invitation arrived at a lucky +moment, as it came during my vacation." + +"Well, well, nephew," said Mrs. Ulrica, "we will go and prepare a +chamber for you." + +"Nephew, nephew," exclaimed Gottlieb, merrily, "why we look more like +cousins!" + +"You are a little wag!" + +"O, I must say more. My mother might have been your mother also, from +all appearances." + +"Ah, I was a mere girl when she was married. She was the eldest while I +was the youngest of the family, and the fourteen years discrepancy +between our ages accounts for the differences in our appearance." + +"And riches and fortune also," added Gottlieb; "poor mother, misfortune +has always been her lot; and although she has much trouble, she has +nevertheless an angel's forbearance." + +"Her disposition resembles mine more than her person does," said Mrs. +H----, casting a glance of tender inquiry upon her husband. + +"Yes, my dear," replied he, "your angelic disposition and patience are +well known." + +He well understood the smile with which his wife had accompanied her +words. + +"Good Fabian, you know how to appreciate your wife!" + +"Sweet Ulgenie!" + +Gottlieb glanced from his aunt to his uncle. + +"Strange people these," thought he. "I think they are playing bo-peep +with each other, or perhaps they are blinding me; well, I care not; so +long as they do not disturb me, I will not meddle with their affairs." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE ATTIC-ROOMS. + + +As we have before stated, Nanna had supreme control over one of the +attic-rooms of the cottage, and for a long time it had been a sanctuary +in which she stored her precious things. + +Old Mr. Lonner loved Nanna as the apple of his eye. She was not only the +youngest child, and consequently the favorite, but she also possessed +strong perceptive qualities, and a heart susceptible of the tenderest +emotions. She was, so to speak, a living emblem of those harmonious +dreams that her father in his youth had hoped to see realized. + +The pale and delicate countenance of Nanna, who he thought was destined +in all probability to droop and die like a water lily, which she so much +resembled, carried the old man's mind back to the time when his father +had promised to wed his mother, and he sighed as he thought how +different Nanna's station in life would have been had that promise been +fulfilled. Instead of neglect and insult, homage from all would have +been her portion. + +Yet Nanna was the pride and joy of her father's heart, for Ragnar, who +at an early age was obliged to labor for his own support, had preferred +to become a sailor, rather than to acquire a refined education, and Carl +could scarcely comprehend more than that which was necessary for the +performance of family worship. Nanna, on the contrary, would listen to +her father with the utmost pleasure and interest as he related and +explained matters and things which were entirely novel to one placed in +her position of life. + +And then, with what eagerness would Nanna read those few books with +which her father's little library was supplied! She fully comprehended +all she read, and she could not resist from becoming gently interested +in the characters described in her books. She sympathised with the +unhappy and oppressed, and although she rejoiced with those happy heroes +and heroines who had passed safely through the ordeals of their loves, +yet when she read of the fortunate conclusion of all their troubles, +she would sigh deeply. + +But after sighing for those who _had_ lived, she sighed also for the +_living_. + +She looked forward, with terror, to the day when she should lose her +father, whom she worshipped almost as a supreme being. + +Her innocent heart shrunk within her as she thought of the time when a +man,--for these thoughts had already entered her little head--should +look into her eyes in search of a wife. Who shall that man be? she +thought. Is it possible that he can be any other than a peasant or a +fisherman? Perhaps he may be even worse; a common day-laborer of the +parish. + +O, that would be impossible! + +Such a rude uncouth husband would prove her death. How could she +entertain the same thoughts, after her marriage with such a boor, as she +had before? He could never sympathise with her. No, she would be obliged +to remain unmarried for ever. Perhaps not even a laborer would wed her! +On St. John's eve, when she had ventured to attend the ball, did any +body request her to dance? No, not one, no, they only gazed at +Mademoiselle Nanna, with a stupid and imbecile stare--_she_ did not +belong to their class. + + * * * * * + +The next evening after Nanna had encountered the young stranger near the +spring, she was seated alone in her bed-chamber. During the entire day +she had endeavored to assist her sister-in law, in the various domestic +duties, with her usual activity; which however it must be confessed, was +mingled with much pensive abstraction. But after the tea service was +removed, she had retired to her chamber, that she might in solitude +commune with her own thoughts. + +The silence of her apartment was soothing to Nanna's mind. + +Besides a small sofa, which was her sleeping place, her little dominions +contained a book shelf; three or four flower vases; a bureau, and a +small work table. The two latter articles of furniture were specimens of +Carl's workmanship. + +Carl, when he _chose_ to display his ability, was a skillful carpenter, +and formerly Nanna was his special favorite. Of late, however, it could +readily be perceived that Magde possessed his affections. She, had she +so chosen, could have abused him as if he had been a dog, and like a cur +he would have crept back to kiss the hand which had maltreated him. +Magde, however, was soft-hearted, and did not abuse her power over the +singular boy; but she compelled him to labor with much more assiduity +than he had formerly. When at home, Carl generally performed the duties +of a nursery maid. The children remained with him willingly, for he +tenderly loved them; in fact every child in the neighborhood loved the +"Wiseacre," for he would play with them, and upon all occasions take +them under his special protection. When he saw his little nephews and +nieces, subjected to the discipline of their mother, he would fly into a +frenzy of passion, and then he was called, "Crazy Carl." He was an +inveterate enemy to corporeal punishment, and he could invent no better +method of explaining his doctrine, than by administering to those, who +differed with him, a practical illustration of the cruelty of personal +castigation. Therefore he would fly around among the parents and the +straggling children, preventing their punishment of his favorites by +means of his own stalwart arm, and then after the tumult had subsided he +would repent and tearfully sue for pardon. + +Crazy Carl was laughed at for his exertions in behalf of the children, +yet to spare his feelings the necessary punishment of the children was +deferred till he was out of sight. None of the neighboring peasant +women would leave their homes, to go to the market, to a wedding, or to +a funeral, without requesting Carl to remain with the children, and upon +his compliance they would go forth untroubled, for they were well aware +of the unbounded influence "Wiseacre" possessed over the young people. + +Carl's bed-room, which adjoined Nanna's apartment, contained a bedstead, +a well whittled table, and a chair mutilated in a like manner. In this +chair Carl would rock backward and forward, for hours, and with half +closed eyes would look as if by stealth, at a striped woolen waistcoat, +which was suspended against the wall, or some other little gift from +Magde. + +At the same time that Nanna was seated in her room looking towards the +large tree near the spring, Carl was rocking in his chair, gazing with +his peculiar expression at a brown earthen vase, which was standing upon +the table before him. The vase contained two freshly plucked lilacs, one +blue and the other white, which emitted a fragrant odor. After Carl had +sufficiently regarded these objects, he slowly jerked his chair towards +the table, and at each pause his mouth widened into a simple simper. At +length he arrived so near the table that by bending forward he could +have easily touched the flowers with his nostrils. To accomplish this +movement, which was his evident intention, he proceeded with as much +gravity and carefulness as he had evinced in approaching the table. He +bowed down his head inch by inch, until he could no longer withstand the +desire of his senses. With one plunge he thrust his nostrils amidst the +fresh leaves of the fragrant flowers. + +Suddenly, however, he raised his head, a thought struck his mind--his +face lengthened and his brow became cloudy. + +And yet a few moments ago he appeared supremely happy. + + * * * * * + +Nanna's pretty face was pressed against the window pane. Her little +world had never before appeared so fresh and beautiful. So great was her +abstraction that she did not hear the door open, as Carl with his +peculiar lofty strides entered the room. + +"Thank you, Nanna," said Carl. Nanna did not hear him. His voice was +lost in her recollection of the words of the strange youth, she had met +the day before. + +"Thank you, Nanna," repeated Carl. + +Nanna started. "What for?" said she. + +"Do you not know?" replied Carl, "why for the flowers!" + +"Flowers?" + +"O," said Carl smiling imbecilely and gazing vacantly around the room. + +"If you found lilacs in your room, I did not place them there," said +Nanna. + +"Ah! then perhaps little Christine sent them to me." + +"No, dear Carl," replied Nanna, "the flowers were sent by one who is +better than even myself or Christine." + +"Who can it be?" + +"Magde, of course." + +"Ah!" Carl slowly stepped towards the door. "Magde, yes, I ought to have +known that!" + +"Ask her, and then you will know certainly," said Nanna. + +"O, no, but they are beautiful flowers. I hope I will not break them, +they smell so sweetly!" + +Thus saying Carl strode across the floor to his own chamber where he +again seated himself upon his chair and resumed his former occupation; +but he did not profane them with his nostrils, for now he regarded them +in a holier light. They were Magde's gift. + +While he was thus happily engaged, a messenger arrived at the cottage to +disturb him. A peasant's wife, who wished to attend a funeral desired +his services, and the obliging Carl, although he protested that he had a +great deal to engage his attention at home, willingly promised to go to +the woman's cottage and take care of her children until her return. In +order that his arrival at the cottage might be joyfully welcomed, he +returned to his room, and commenced the manufacture of sundry whistles +and as he whittled and sung verses of his own composition--for Carl was +a poet--he occasionally cast loving glances towards the brown earthen +vase. + +But how was Nanna employed? Was she reading some of her favorite books, +an amusement to which she often devoted her leisure hours? or perhaps +she was proceeding over the path which conducted to the spring in the +meadow. Neither. She at present appeared perfectly satisfied with her +unaccustomed listlessness, from which however she was soon aroused. + +From between the trees that bordered the side of the hill, she saw a +green coat emerge, which when it reached the plain made its way towards +the little fountain beneath the tree. + +The wearer of the coat, who was the young man who had carried the +knapsack and had called Nanna his little naiad, a term which he supposed +she did not understand, cast himself upon the grass near the trunk of +the tree. Perhaps he was expecting some one. + +For a few moments Nanna stood undecidedly upon the threshold of the +door. Her inclinations drew her towards the spring; but her modesty +cautioned her to remain. + +Why had she so long postponed her usual walk on this particular +occasion? She had not expected any one. Certainly not! + +At length, however, she seized her bonnet and hastened from the room. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +THE FIRST DISAPPOINTMENT. + + +Nanna had arrived at the bottom step of the flight of stairs, when she +encountered Magde who was returning from a visit at a neighbor's house. +She had walked fast, and her face was crimson with heat and vexation. +When Magde first saw the young girl, she drew her bonnet close around +her face, intending to enter the house as quickly as Nanna wished to +depart; but when Nanna had reached the threshold she exclaimed: + +"Where are you going?" + +"To take a little walk," replied Nanna. + +"Be careful, Nanna," said Magde seriously, "you will soon be a young +woman." + +"And why should that affect you so?" replied Nanna, astonished at +Magde's caution. + +"O, only that poor women who wish to preserve their fair fame, are not +allowed to go out when they choose." + +"What did you say?" + +"I say that the sun, earth, water, trees, and flowers, are made only for +the rich, who can admire them from their fine carriages and pleasure +yachts." + +"But, dear Magde, you have always--" + +"Silence, child," interrupted Magde, "you do not know the insults to +which we females of humble birth are exposed." + +"We are not born that we should thus be insulted," said Nanna. + +"True, true; but then we should have been born as deformed and ugly as +those sins, which even our modesty will not preserve us from being +suspected of." + +"Can that be possible!" thought Nanna. Magde, who as she spoke had +passed her hand upon her forehead, now removed it, and from the +expression of her dark eyes, which beamed with her accustomed +cheerfulness, and from her proud and lofty bearing, it could be +perceived that she had regained her usual self-possession. + +"I grieve you, dear Nanna," said she in a softened tone of voice, "I do +not imagine you to be more than a dove which is still fostered within +the dovecote. But I was troubled, as I am sometimes, without really +knowing the cause." + +"Is there no cause, then?" inquired Nanna. + +"I can say that there is or is not a cause, and therefore shall remain +silent." + +"Then remain silent, dear Magde, let us speak no further on the +subject," said Nanna quickly, for she was burning with impatience to +visit the spring. + +She longed to discover by experience whether it was really so dangerous +for a woman to walk out alone. + +Until the day before, it had not been dangerous, for no one had +forbidden her the free enjoyment of God's beautiful earth, and neither +had her modesty ever been insulted. On any other occasion, Nanna would +have been influenced not only by curiosity, but by a far purer feeling, +namely, sympathy for Magde's sorrows,--for she dearly loved her +sister-in-law,--and would have asked an explanation of matters which she +at present was anxious to avoid. + +Magde was silent. + +Nanna stepped over the door sill. + +But stern fate compelled her to turn back a second time, for the moment +that Magde turned to pass into the house, old Mr. Lonner advanced to the +door. + +"Nanna my child," said he, "bring my chair out into the door-yard. The +evening air is so cool and pleasant that it will invigorate my old body; +but it would be better I think, if my rheumatism will permit it, to +take a little stroll in the fields, with the aid of my walking cane on +one side, and with you as a staff to support me on the other." + +Nanna blushed so deeply that she felt the blood burning her cheeks, as +she advanced the opinion that the exercise might prove injurious to him. + +"Poor child, you are grieved on account of your old father. I will take +your advice. Bring my arm-chair out, and we will sit here and have a +little chat together." + +Hitherto, when her father had chatted to her of all that he had seen and +experienced, Nanna had considered herself amply rewarded for her days of +labor, but on this occasion, she not only went after the chair +reluctantly, but also, when she as usual seated herself with her +knitting work on her little bench at his side she sighed deeply. Her +father did not observe her dejection, perhaps he considered it an +impossibility for his precious jewel to sigh when she was with him. + +"Well, Nanna," said he stroking his long beard which gave a venerable +appearance to his benevolent features, "are you thinking of the fine +shawl that Ragnar is to send you by his friend Jon Jonson?" + +"Not at all, dear father," replied Nanna. + +"True," continued the old man, "your disposition in that respect does +not resemble Magde's. She is pleased, as every young woman should be, +when she has an opportunity of decorating her person with elegant +clothing." + +"I think, that hereafter," said Nanna, slightly confused, "I shall also +cultivate a taste for such things; but thus far I have had but little +opportunity." + +"I hope so," replied her father, "I have frequently been much troubled +in mind, when I have observed your indifference to dress, so unnatural +to one of your age; but which is only a result of the romantic notions +that you have always indulged in." + +"But dear father, is it not wrong to strive to make ourselves beautiful +when we are only poor people?" + +"Beautiful!" exclaimed the old man, "what put that into your little +head?" + +"Magde told me that all poor women ought to be born ugly, that their +reputation might not be suspected." + +"Magde was a little out of humor, when she said that, and she who wishes +to please her husband so much, could not have really intended what she +said." + +"Yes, but when a woman is married, it alters the case entirely." + +"But why should not an unmarried girl wish herself handsome for the sake +of her father, her brother, and above all for her own sake? That is a +good wish so long as it continues innocent." + +"When then, is it not innocent?" inquired Nanna. + +"It is no longer innocent when the love of fine apparel, and the desire +to be beautiful, changes the heart, and the girl neglects her duties, +and gives her sole attention to that which should only serve as a +simple recreation; but that I am sure will never be the case with you." + +Nanna was silent. She drooped her head. "There is no danger of that," +thought she, "for who will care to witness the change?" + +"On next St. John's day," continued her father, "you must wear that +elegant silk shawl which belonged to your poor mother." + +As Nanna heard these words, a smile of peculiar meaning passed over her +lips. It was the smile of a woman who anticipates a future triumph. + +"Thank God," said the old man, turning the conversation in another +channel, "for all the blessings he has bestowed upon us. Although we may +now be in trouble, when Ragnar's packages arrive, we shall be in better +circumstances. Poverty has many blessings of which the rich man cannot +even dream. The poor man's gratitude and joy for even the slightest +piece of fortune is too great to describe. The rich man has not that +relish for the good things of life that the poor man has." + +While honest Lonner was thus losing himself in his meditations, Nanna +moved in her seat uneasily, and dropped stitch after stitch of her +knitting-work. The former topic of conversation was endurable, but +this-- + +Meanwhile, however, she did not dare to express her desire to be +liberated from her irksome position. Why was she afraid to do so? She +asked herself the question; the only reply she could make was, that +yesterday it would have been easy for her to say, "Father, I want to +take a little walk in the meadow;" but to-day, oh! that was different! + +"I see you have your bonnet on!" said her father, "were you about taking +a walk?" + +"I have not been out of the house before, to-day," replied Nanna. + +"Well, then run away, my child; take all the enjoyment you can. You have +but little here." + +Perhaps it was by expressions of this description from her father, that +mournful thoughts were engendered within the mind of the young girl, +causing her to fancy that something was wanting to complete her +happiness, and that she stood beyond the pale of those who should have +been her companions. + +It is certainly plausible to suppose that these moments which the old +man had set apart for familiar conversation with his daughter, whom he +loved above all earthly things, for she reminded him of past days, might +have proved highly detrimental to Nanna's sensitive and susceptible +mind. + +As matters now stood, it was plainly evident that, however economical, +industrious and thrifty she might be, Nanna would be compelled to be +content with her lot, should she wed an honest mechanic or a sloop +captain, which were the highest prizes which she, or any of the +neighboring maidens, might expect to win. + +Like a captive bird which, after many fruitless struggles, finally +regains its liberty, Nanna quickly made use of her restored freedom, and +hastened from the door-yard. She was fully convinced that the young man +was no longer in the meadow, and now she suddenly remembered that she +had said nothing to her father or Magde about the stranger whom she had +encountered the previous evening. How strange it was that she had +forgotten to tell them! Yes, it was the strangest thing that ever had +occurred during her whole life, and how greatly astonished they would be +when she should tell them of her little adventure! Thus thought Nanna, +as she proceeded towards the meadow. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE AGREEMENT. + + +"It was just as I thought!" exclaimed our heroine, as she looked, with +pouting lips at the reflection of her pretty figure in the clear waters +of the spring. Never before had her hair been so nicely arranged, and +her neat white apron, which she had kept concealed beneath her cloak +during her entire conversation with Magde and her father, and which she +had carefully tied about her waist as soon as she had entered the +meadows, how pretty it looked! But how was she repaid for all her +trouble? She was about disencumbering herself both of her apron and a +little scarf which she had thrown over her shoulders, when she heard a +voice that she had already learned to distinguish, calling to her in the +distance. + +With pleased astonishment she lifted her eyes, and saw an individual +whom we need scarcely inform our readers was the owner of the knapsack. +He was descending a hill, holding to his lips a blade of grass, upon +which he would occasionally blow a vigorous and ear-piercing blast. + +"Have you come at last, my naiad queen?" said the youth. "We were such +pleasant companions last evening, that I came hither in the hope of +finding you at your bath again." + +"A naiad queen might bathe her feet before you; but I--" She ceased +speaking, and a deep blush suffused her cheeks. + +"Ah! then you know something about the naiads, my child?" + +"Yes, and about the sylphs, too," replied Nanna, nodding her head, proud +at having an opportunity of displaying her knowledge before one whom, +besides her father, was the only person that she had ever cared to +interest. + +"You surprise me! What have you read?" + +"O, a little of everything. My father has a large book case, and I have +a small collection of books, myself." + +"Hm, hm," said the embryo secretary, "but enumerate to me some of the +books you have read." + +"Do you really wish to know?" + +"Yes, dear Nanna,--pardon me--Mademoiselle Nanna I should have said. +Now Mademoiselle, please be seated, the grass is quite soft. I wish to +catechise you a little." + +"But I shall not answer you, sir, if you call me Mademoiselle; it sounds +so cold and disagreeable." + +"Well, I will be careful not to do so; but let us make a commencement." + +"With my qualifications?" + +"Certainly; but why do you sit at such a distance?" + +"We are not so far from each other." + +"That proves you to be no mathematician. Now, tell me, how many yards +distance are there between us?" + +"Three, I think." + +"Poor child, you have not reached your A B C's in arithmetic; but I will +be your instructor." + +"How so?" + +"You shall soon see." He quickly unloosed his neckcloth. "This," he +continued, "is precisely one yard in length. Now, I will measure the +ground, and when I have measured three yards, then--" + +"What then?" + +"Then I will seat myself; for you have yourself chosen the distance." + +The unsuspecting Nanna had not the slightest idea of the little plot the +young man had arranged to entrap her. The poor child was unaccustomed to +mirth; for although Magde, Ragnar, and Carl, often indulged in +boisterous sports, still Nanna never could feel an inclination to +mingle with them, but had merely smiled at their ridiculous jokes. Never +had the clear ringing laugh of gleeful childhood issued over her lips; +but upon the present occasion her innocent heart entered into the spirit +of her gay companion, and when he deliberately measured three lengths of +his neckcloth from the spot where he was sitting, and then gravely +seated himself at her very side, a merry laugh broke from her lips, in +which the youth joined. + +"Well," said he, assuming a comfortable position, "I can touch you, at +least, now." + +"Yes," replied Nanna seriously, for she was musing on Magde's words of +caution, "yes, you can; but I do not wish you to." + +"You do not?" + +"I do not," replied she firmly. + +"What an obstinate little creature you are!" + +"You desired to know what I have read," said Nanna, wishing to change +the subject of conversation. + +"True, but why do you hide your little hand under your apron, I shall +not touch it without your permission?" + +Nanna smiled as she slowly withdrew her hands from their place of +concealment and folded them upon her lap. + +"Now, my child," said the young man with an assumed air of dignity, +"first of all, you may commence at the beginning." + +"When I was a little girl, my father bought for me some picture books, +which as I read, he explained to me. Next as I progressed further--" + +"Well, what happened?" + +"Next I studied the catechism, which I liked very much, then I commenced +reading the bible, a book which I love above all others, the new +testament especially. All that I do not understand my father explains to +me, and after he has finished, I go alone to my room, and as I read I +cannot refrain from weeping--But my tears are not sorrowful, I think +only of--" + +"Of what?" + +"I know not whether I should tell you that." + +"Certainly you should; am I not your friend?" + +"Well then--but do not speak about it to any one--I cannot help thinking +that if I had lived when our Saviour was upon earth, I should have been +one of the holy women." + +"Who ever heard of such ambition! Why perhaps you would like to have +been the virgin Mary, herself?" + +"Oh," exclaimed Nanna, turning her face, that she might conceal the +blush, which his words of ridicule, as she esteemed them, had called +forth. + +"But, my child," continued her companion, "we will dwell no longer upon +your holy thoughts, so different from others of your age; proceed if you +please." + +"Aside from the books I have mentioned, at my father's request, I +studied history, geography, natural philosophy, and finally ancient +mythology." + +"You surprise me! Your education has not been neglected; but you can +write, can you not?" + +"Certainly, and I have also practised drawing a little." + +"Indeed! upon my honor, Mademoiselle Nanna you frighten me!" + +"Why?" + +"Because I cannot comprehend how you can use all your knowledge in this +valley." + +"I have often thought of that," replied Nanna, sighing deeply. + +"Perhaps, it is not such a terrible matter after all," said Gottlieb, "I +must thoroughly convince myself." + +Gottlieb now commenced to examine and cross-question Nanna in the +various departments of learning that she had mentioned, and was pleased +to discover by her accurate replies that she comprehended thoroughly all +that she had studied. In fact, Nanna was quite his equal in her +knowledge of Ancient Mythology, which had always been her favorite +study. + +"But how is it possible that your father should be so well educated? +Yesterday, when we were walking together, you told me that he had +resided in this valley nearly half his lifetime, with scarcely +sufficient means to support himself and family." + +"Alas! a sorrowful story is connected with my father's younger days; +but he never speaks of it. He had high hopes, when young, and had they +been realized, he would have been a man of consequence; but the death of +his patron crushed everything." + +"I must call upon your father some pleasant evening. Do you think he +would be pleased to see me?" + +"Of course, and Magde would also." + +"Your sister-in-law? Well, well, I will soon visit them both; but listen +now--" + +"I will." + +"As the error has already been committed--" + +"What error?" + +"That you should have been taught more than you ought to know; but +still, it is now too late to repent as you have already learned a +little, and I do not think there will be any harm in teaching you more." + +"Who will teach me?" + +"I shall of course.--I have an idea." + +Nanna glanced inquiringly towards her companion. "You might be able," he +continued, "to earn a little competency for yourself; would you be +willing to become a school-teacher?" + +"O, yes, nothing could be better! Then I would not be obliged to think +of--of--" + +"Of marriage?" + +"Yes, of marriage." + +"And I am of your opinion, for to speak candidly, whom could you +marry?" + +"I do not know; there is the parish tailor, who has already spoken to +Magde about it--" + +"The parish tailor!--Aha!" + +"And Captain Larsson who owns a sloop, offered Ragnar two barrels of rye +flour if he would speak a good word to me about him." + +"Two barrels of rye flour as a bribe! And your brother's reply?" + +"O, Ragnar is not to be played with," replied Nanna; "'if you wish to +purchase my sister,' said he, 'you had better speak to her yourself, she +has not authorized me to sell her.'" + +"So you have two lovers!" + +"Yes, and the sexton, an old widower, is the third. He has considerable +wealth, and therefore applied to my father, himself." + +"Without success?" + +"Yes, father told him I was too young." + +"Do you not prefer either of your suitors?" + +"I would rather throw myself into lake Wenner, than to marry either of +them." + +"Then let us speak of the school. It will give you a little income, and +is, as far as I can see, the only method of using your accomplishments +to advantage." + +"You are right. It is my only choice." + +"I fear so too, for a lover suitable for you would not in all +probability find his way hither; but in me you have found a friend at +least." + +"Thank God, for that." + +"But it is necessary that we should make one agreement--" + +"What is it?" + +"That we shall not fall in love with each other." + +"Oh, there is no danger!" + +"Ah! who can be sure of that? You possess beauties beyond your personal +charms, Miss Nanna, that may conquer me in spite of myself." + +"You are also beautiful; but I do not believe that--that--" + +"You do not believe that you would ever fall in love with me, you were +about saying. Upon my word that is so much the better, for to speak +truly I am placed in as bad circumstances as you are yourself." + +"You are!" + +"Yes, yes, I speak the truth. My only ambition is to become an assistant +in my father's office." + +"If that is the case," said Nanna, "you must fall in love with a rich +girl only." + +"I shall be careful of my own interests I assure you," replied Gottlieb, +"but now this perplexing point is rightly settled--is it not?" + +"Yes, you are to marry a wealthy girl, and I am to keep a school, is +that the agreement?" + +"Yes, and now we must make another arrangement, which is that we must agree +to meet each other during the evening hours at this spot. I own many +books that will be useful to you, and if you can sing--" + +"I can sing a little, and the old sexton says my voice is beautiful." + +"Allow me to hear you sing." + +"To-morrow, I cannot this evening." + +"O, you should not refuse a friend in that manner. It would be quite +different if I was your lover." + +Without further words, Nanna commenced singing an old ballad, and her +sweet voice, as she trilled forth the beautiful words of her song, fell +upon the ear of her young companion like the soft music of a bird. + +"You sing excellently, Nanna, and I think your voice would be improved +if you could play upon the guitar. I have one at home, and might bring +it with me." + +"But the guitar would not benefit my future pupils." + +"It will serve for your amusement after your scholars have left you in +the afternoon. You will find such a relaxation quite necessary, and when +you play upon it, and sing one of your beautiful ballads, you will think +of your friend." + +"And drive away the tedium of the long hours.--O, sir, you are too +kind!" + +"Stop, Nanna! Call me Gottlieb, not sir. You know friends should--" + +"Thanks, Sir Gottlieb! What a beautiful name! But it is quite late!" + +Nanna, who was fearful that Magde, anxious at her long absence, would +come in search of her, arose from her seat upon the grass, and hastily +departed. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE CHASE. + + +The next morning, a few hours before Carl, whistling a ballad of which +he was the author, commenced his journey over ditches and stiles, to +fulfill his engagement to watch with the children of the peasant woman, +Mr. Fabian H---- was awakened by his affectionate wife, who informed him +that it was time for him to prepare himself for his hunting expedition. + +Sleepy, and unwilling to leave his cozy bed, for the sake of enjoying +the damp morning air, Mr. Fabian addressed his spouse with all the +tenderness which his state of mind would permit: + +"Dear Ulgenie, you--" + +Mistress Ulrica, however, did not permit herself to be moved by this +gentle epithet. + +"Fabian," said she, shaking his shoulder roughly, "you are going to +sleep again. Quick! get up! I have had your top boots nicely greased, +and on the chair you will find your hunting coat and game-bag. +Everything is made as comfortable as possible." + +"Sweet Ulgenie," expostulated Mr. Fabian. + +The amiable lady smiled as she heard him speak, and had not an +unfortunate yawn accompanied those two tender words, in all probability +they would have terminated this chapter. But the word yawn is not found +in Love's dictionary, and consequently the unlucky husband was forced to +rise from his bed preparatory to going forth to perform deeds of valor +in obedience to the commands of his mistress. + +"Do not neglect to awaken Gottlieb. He also must learn the noble art of +hunting." + +"I will, my dear, I will," said her husband, perspiring with his +exertions, as he forced himself into his hunting garments which Mistress +Ulrica had made from a pattern of her own invention. But when Mr. Fabian +had completed his toilette, he hastened from the house, intentionally +forgetting to awaken Gottlieb, for, as we shall soon discover, he had +urgent reasons for wishing to perform his hunting exploits without the +hindrance of a companion. As Sir Fabian was, so to speak, his wife's +butler, he had provided himself with a deputy butler, who generally +received a hint of the day and the hour, when stern fate would compel +his master to encase his feet in heavy hunting boots. + +We now see this martyr to the holy cause of matrimony, puffing and +blowing beneath the weight of his heavy gun, as he wends his way across +the fields towards a certain spot in the forest at which he finally +arrives. He looks around him with searching eyes; his brow is clouded +with anxiety and impatience. Suddenly his eyes gleam with an expression +of joy; but he instantly recovers himself and assumes an air of +dignified composure, while he gazes angrily upon the form of a man, who +is approaching him through the trees. + +"Fool! you have kept me waiting!" said he harshly as the man advanced. + +Humbly but with a humility which was more assumed than natural, the +"Butler," presented Mr. Fabian with two hares, and two partridges; which +would fill his game-bag uncommonly well and ensure a loving welcome upon +his return home. After this ceremony was performed Mr. H---- threw his +accomplice a few pieces of silver, and when the last named performer in +this little scene had vanished, our huntsman fatigued by his arduous +exertions cast himself upon a moss-covered bank and was soon continuing +the dream which had been so unpleasantly interrupted by his sweet +Ulgenie. + + * * * * * + + "In the woods, near the sea I have lived + Many a day! + Ho, ho, ho, + Ha, ha, ha, + It is so lovely on the earth!" + +Thus sang or hummed Carl as he proceeded on his way. + +Suddenly he experienced a strong desire to rush into the woods to listen +to the sighing of the wind as it swept through the high branches of the +trees. In this music Carl took such delight that he would listen to it, +for hours, while great tears of pleasure and excitement would roll down +his sun-burnt cheeks. But it was the pleasure and excitement of a +religious enthusiast in the house of the God he worshipped. Carl never +spoke of these sentiments, and how would it have been possible for him +to do so. He never thought from whence they originated. He followed his +inclination only. + +While Carl was thus engaged he suddenly saw an object which caused him +instantly to neglect the sound of his favorite music. In the grass near +the fence over which Carl was about climbing, he saw the slumbering +huntsman, with the freshly killed game reposing at his side. + +Carl, without knowing why, had conceived the idea that Magde disliked +Mr. Fabian H----, and as for himself, he instinctively hated that +worthy gentleman. And another thought entered his head as he looked upon +the game. He remembered that Magde had once said: "Ah! had we but a hare +or a partridge, how delicious it would be! But such things are too good +for us, they must be sent to the manor house." + +Carl laughed silently. He extended his hand towards the sleeping man, +and then withdrew it undecidedly. Our friend Carl possessed a few +indistinct ideas concerning the law of _meum and teum_. By dint of great +exertion, his father had implanted in his mind the great necessity of +observing the eighth commandment, and upon the present occasion the +lesson of his younger days interfered in a great degree with the +accomplishment of his present designs; for as he gazed upon the objects +of his envy, he muttered to himself: + +"_The Eighth Commandment:_ Thou shalt not steal!" + +His brain was not only troubled with the eighth, but the words of the +tenth commandment came to his memory, "Thou shalt not covet thy +neighbor's wife, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his +ass." + +As he thus spoke, and thought first of the commandments and then of +Magde, he continued to advance and retreat, wavering in his decision, +and he might have remained in this state until Mr. Fabian awoke, had not +a bright idea forced itself upon his mind. + +"O," exclaimed he, "the commandments say nothing about _game_!" and as +even the veriest simpleton has it in his power to convince himself of +the purity of an action, however wrong, Carl soon satisfied himself with +the excuse which he had so ingeniously invented. He entirely forgot the +closing line of the commandment, "nor anything that is his," which, +however, would not bear consideration on that occasion. He therefore +seized the two hares that were nearest him, and by the assistance of a +long stick he gained possession of the partridges also. + +In the meantime, Mr. Fabian's assistant, who had not yet left the +forest, having been attracted by Carl's movements, had been an +eye-witness to his proceedings. But instead of warning the lad of his +crime, the spectator seemed rather to rejoice at his patron's +misfortune. He might safely do this, for after the crime had been +committed, he could easily disclose the name of the thief, and thus +avert suspicion from himself. He thought that Mr. H---- would not injure +a person of Carl's character, and that at all events he would be likely +to receive a proper reward for any zeal he should exert to promote the +interest of his employer. Carl had discovered that his actions had been +observed; but as the spectator, by sundry winks and nods, seemed rather +to encourage than to prevent him, Carl proceeded without fear. + +And now, having won the victory, he hastened to Magde. + +But here trouble awaited him. + +When Carl presented Magde the game, she was delighted; but after her +outburst of admiration had subsided, her first question naturally was as +to where he had procured his prize. + +"Is it not enough that it is here?" said Carl, as he stood on the +threshold, twirling his hat in his hand. + +"Heavens! I trust you have not procured it in an unlawful way?" + +"No, I got it while going the right way," replied Carl, mischievously. + +"My dear Carl," said Magde, seriously, "you must not think to deceive me +by your cunning words." + +"You should not say so," answered Carl, sulkily. + +"No, I should not, Carl, I spoke foolishly; but if you are a good boy, +and love me, you will tell me who has given you this game, or whether +you have promised to pay for it by working by-and-bye." + +"I have already worked for it," said Carl, with a laugh, "but I must go +now, or else I will be too late at Sunnangaarden." + +Thus saying, Carl was about putting his long legs in active motion, when +Magde exclaimed: + +"Carl! Carl! a word more! stop, Carl!" + +"I have staid too long already," said Carl; but still he remained. + +"Tell me frankly, Carl, did you procure the game honestly?" + +Carl, who rested upon the tenth commandment, in which neither hares nor +partridges were mentioned, answered shrewdly: + +"If you doubt my honor, I will refer you to the catechism. Do you +believe in the catechism?" + +"Is it true then that you have done nothing contrary to its precepts?" + +"It is indeed true," replied Carl, gravely. + +"Then I am satisfied," said Magde, "and I am grateful to you, my good +Carl, for the welcome present." + +"Good? Yes, can I really believe you, Magde?" + +"Yes, I so consider you, and therefore I am good to you." + +Carl commenced laughing, and assumed a crane-like position, as he +balanced himself upon one leg. This was his usual custom when pleased. + +"Well, well, then you love poor Carl a little. That's good!" + +"Carl is my good boy," replied Magde, who during the conversation had +been engaged in spreading out a number of skeins of knitting yarn that +had been placed out to bleach upon the grass plot. + +"Listen," said Carl, approaching nigher to Magde, "would Magde shed a +tear upon my grave if God should call me from earth?" + +There reposed in these words a tone of mingled fear and humility, and +Magde, much moved by the peculiar expression of Carl's countenance, +replied: + +"Certainly, Carl, I would shed many, many tears, for I believe there are +none who love you as I do." + +"I am grateful, Magde," said Carl, violently scraping the ground with +the sole of his hob-nailed shoe, an action which could scarcely be +called a bow--"your words shall be remembered. I am Magde's servant, and +shall be so as long as I live." + +With these words, he turned on his heel, and trotted towards his place +of destination. + +"The poor lad has a good heart," thought Magde, as she concluded her +labors in the yard; but she little imagined the true state of Carl's +heart. + +Magde now entered the house to prepare breakfast. Her three children +crowded around her, loudly testifying their admiration of the partridges +and hares. She commenced dressing the game with that placidity of +countenance, and with that dexterity which proved she was well versed in +that most important branch of a housekeeper's duties--cookery. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +CONCERNING THE HUNTER IN THE WOODS, AND HIS HOMEWARD WALK. + + +We now return to our friend the sportsman, who soon awoke from his sound +slumber, quite refreshed. He yawned, stretched himself, and mechanically +extended his hand towards the spot where he had placed his game-bag. + +Although his hand touched nothing but the grass and his gun, he +nevertheless was not troubled, for he thought that he had miscalculated +the distance. He searched still further; but to his surprise the +game-bag was still missing. He now raised himself up in a sitting +posture, and rubbing his eyes vigorously, he searched the ground +closely. But his eyes, usually so good, must have been dimmed by some +enchantment, for he could perceive neither the hares nor the partridges, +which he could not but think were there. + +Determined, however, not to believe in such marvels, for honest Fabian +was a man of intelligence, he arose and peered through the bushes in the +grass; he looked in the air, and he closely scanned the tops of the +trees; but his efforts were fruitless. The game was not to be found. + +"It is astonishing!" said he to himself. "I can not believe it! They +must be here! But where the devil are they then!" + +The trees retained a stubborn silence, and their example was followed by +the earth, the air, and the water. Although the heat of the day was +rendered still more insufferable by Mr. Fabian's thick hunting suit, yet +his flesh chilled with fear when he discovered the actual loss of his +partridges and hares. + +To return home without his game, was a misfortune, which under ordinary +circumstances he could have endured; but on this occasion he had reason +to expect a more than usually severe lecture from his wife whose command +he had stubbornly disobeyed by not awakening Gottlieb. While the +unfortunate sportsman was bewailing his fate he discovered the face of +his "butler," who was peering out from between the bushes with an +expression of mingled humility and mirthfulness. + +"Where are my partridges, you rascal?" shouted Mr. Fabian, his face +glowing with anger. + +"Do you think, Mr. H----, that I have taken them?" + +"Such a jest would be but natural. What are you doing here? Have I not +paid you enough?" + +"I never do anything without orders, and if you do not wish me to +remain, I will go instantly. I thought, however, that you would be +pleased if I should tell you what had become of your game." + +"That is just what I wish to know! Has any one presumed to steal it?" + +"Very likely." + +"Who? Quick! Tell me!" + +But the butler answered only with a long drawn. "Ah!" + +"Can you substantiate what you are about to say?" + +"I can swear to it, if it is necessary. I waited here only that I might +be able to explain everything to my employer, after he should awake." + +"You are a fine fellow, now tell me what evil being has entered the +woods, and committed this depredation?" + +"If you wish to have a full account of the matter, you should tender +full payment," said the butler, who considered this play of words +exceedingly apt and forcible. + +"Yes, yes, I will not be ungenerous," replied Mr. Fabian taking a +bank-note from his pocket. + +"Carl,--the fool of the valley--purloined the hares and partridges." + +"What! that cur!--the son of old Lonner!" + +"The same." + +"Are you certain?" + +"Yes, as certain as I am that I live." + +"Good," said Mr. Fabian, and he repeated the same word several times, +each time appearing better satisfied, and certainly the thoughts that +occupied his mind must have afforded him great pleasure, for he not only +forgot the trouble that awaited his return home, but also the question, +which in truth should have been the first one--why the Butler had not +stopped the thief and rescued the booty. The Butler, however, thought it +expedient not to await further questions, and therefore soon found an +opportunity of retreating. + +Our readers may be assured that when the sportsman returned home his +wife was not in the best of humor. She awaited his coming in the parlor; +but when she heard his footsteps in the court-yard, she could no longer +restrain her impatience, but hastened to the window and exclaimed: + +"Where were your silly thoughts wandering, when you left the house +without calling Gottlieb. I must say that you conduct yourself friendly +towards _my_ relations, and I do think it is equally astonishing that +you have come home without him. I sent him to look for you a long time +ago. What! can I believe my eyes! Where is the game that I was to have +for dinner?" + +"Dear Ulrique Eugenie, can you not wait until I have changed my clothes? +I have travelled so far through the woods, that I can scarcely breathe, +I am so weary." + +"Where is the game?" + +"Whew!" ejaculated her husband, "I can stand these clothes no longer." +Thus saying, he hastened into the house, and proceeded to his apartment. + +But this respite was of short duration. Mistress Ulrica Eugenie was +familiar with the road to the chamber, and her rage reached its highest +point, when she heard that the game which was intended for her dinner, +had been stolen while her husband, overcome by his arduous exertions, +had fallen asleep. + +"O, if I only knew who did this, yes, if I only knew, I would have the +rascal put in the stocks. But you, you dormouse, yes you, you call +yourself a man! you! Don't you wish to borrow my petticoat! To sleep +when engaged in the noble art of hunting! To complain of fatigue! Fie +upon such men! But can you not discover the thief?" + +"No, my dear, I assure you. I cannot, how could I know what happened +while I was sleeping?" + +"That is the reason why you never knew anything in your life," replied +the exasperated woman. "But see there comes Gottlieb with a partridge in +his hand. He is a pattern. _He_ never allows _his_ game to be stolen," +and Mistress Ulrica composed her features, and assumed an expression of +motherly benevolence, while she descended the stairs to receive her +nephew. + +"Thank you, good Gottlieb," said she meeting him at the door, "thank +you, your uncle has been unfortunate this morning; but come with me to +the dairy, and you shall have the cream of an entire pan of milk." + +"The milk also, if you please, aunty, I feel myself able to devour every +thing, pan and all." + +"Well, satisfy yourself. By and by we will go to my bleachery and you +may select a piece of linen.--Do you understand?" + +"Not a word. It is all a mystery. But I do know that there is not a +nephew on the entire Scandinavian peninsula, who possesses an aunt with +such an affectionate disposition." + +"Ah, you flatterer, it is well that you are my nephew or else Fabian +might be jealous." + +"Well I am not sure but that he may yet have an occasion, for, I am not +aware that nephews are forbidden to love their aunts." + +From that day forward Gottlieb was taken under the especial protection +of his aunt, and as her favorite he was certain of a comfortable and +pleasant life. When she became acquainted with his manners, virtues and +accomplishments, her esteem for him was, if possible, doubly increased. + +What could he not do, the dear boy? Not to speak of his wonderful +success in amusing little Jean Ulrick, Mr. Fabian's sole heir, he was +able to read aloud to his aunt from her favorite volume, and to repeat +with almost sublime patience, all those tender passages to which she in +a plaintive tone would sigh _de capo_. More than all this. He could +sing--the model nephew--and accompany his voice with the guitar not only +to the tune of "my love and I," but also to his aunt's favorite ballad, +"In the shadows of the wood; in the cavern hid away." And finally there +was not a female domestic in the house who dared to compete with +Gottlieb in the art of chopping string beans. In short, he was a nephew +whose peer could not be found in all Sweden, and who knows whether the +piece of linen he chose from the bleachery was the last he received from +his indulgent aunt. + +Poor Gottlieb, while you are thus the prime favorite of your strong +minded aunt, having free access to the pantries and dairy-rooms, have +you no misgivings that the day will arrive when the doors of this house +shall be closed against you? Relentless fate who ever demands a +sacrifice. How true are the words of the wise Solomon, "All is vanity +and vexation of spirit; and there is no profit under the sun." But it is +not to be believed that Mr. Fabian's slumbers were disturbed because his +wife had deserted him. No, he even preferred the company of hunger and +thirst rather than that of his Ulgenie. Not that this state of mind +originated from the many lectures he had received from his wife. Ah, +no, there were far more powerful reasons; but it is certain that if +Mistress Ulrica had suspected that her husband's indifference arose from +any other motive than the wish to escape a deserved punishment she would +have, undoubtedly, increased the vigor of her tongue to such a pitch +that his house would have been uncomfortably warm to him. + +After dining upon Gottlieb's partridge which had done much to smoothe +her ruffled temper, Mrs. Ulrica was thus insinuatingly addressed by her +husband: + +"Have you any errands for me to perform at the parsonage, dear Ulgenie? +I wish to ride down there to talk over the parish matters with the +parson." + +"That's right, dear Fabian. Take Gottlieb along with you. He would like +to see the young ladies, each of whom are worth a ton of gold." + +At this proposal Mr. Fabian's brow darkened; but the gloom was soon +dispelled as Gottlieb declined the pleasure of going, and the first +smile which the young man had received from his uncle was when he +replied: "Excuse me to-day, my dear aunt, I wish to write to my mother." + +He had no desire to disappoint his young pupil of the valley. + +"Excellent youth!" exclaimed his aunt, "pleasure cannot wile you from +your duties. God forbid that I should attempt to do so; and you Fabian," +she added extending her arms towards her husband, "kiss me before you +go. Your Ulgenie has no desire to deprive you of any reasonable +enjoyments." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +MR. FABIAN AND MAGDE LONNER. + + +"O, how thankful I am that you can come out here on the green, dear +father." Thus said Magde, as she gave old Mr. Lonner his hat and cane, +after Nanna had filled and lighted his pipe. + +It was a beautiful scene to behold the two sisters thus employed. Ragnar +was right. Without waiting for a request, they were apparently striving +to outvie each other in performing little services for the old man. In +short, Mr. Lonner had not a wish which was not gratified. They +anticipated his every desire. + +"There, that will do, my daughters; I thank you. I feel so young +to-day, that I am quite happy. My rheumatism has left me almost +entirely; so give me your arm, Nanna, and we will go." + +"Where are you going?" inquired Magde. + +"O, after we have taken a short walk," replied Nanna, "I have proposed +that we should go to the spring in the meadow, and sit down awhile. It +used to be one of papa's favorite spots." + +"Perhaps you had better take a book with you," said Magde, "and then you +can read to him." + +Nanna blushed. Her object was to afford to her father another and much +greater pleasure. She hoped in this manner to introduce Gottlieb to him +before the youth should visit the cottage, because she feared that Magde +in that case would wonder at her familiarity with the new comer. + +Many times during the day, Nanna had endeavored to say to Magde, "last +evening, and the evening before, I met an elegant young man near the +spring in the meadow;" but for some unknown reason, the words never +passed over her lips. She imagined that if she was alone with her +father, she would not fear to tell him, and she also thought that when +Gottlieb would see her with the old man, he would know that she had not +agreed to meet him alone. + +Her father would also converse with them about the time when she should +commence her school, about which she had already erected many castles in +the air. A little house she had thought should be erected in the valley. +Here she should dwell alone with her cat, her little goldfinch with his +elegant green cage, and she would also have a shed for her cow. She also +wished to take a dog with her; but finally she thought she would not do +so, for he would eat too much, and aside from that, would not be of the +slightest benefit to her, for Carl would certainly assume the entire +control of him. + +There was no doubt, she had thought, but that good Carl would help her +with her heavy work. That is, he would come to her little house on +Wednesday and Sunday afternoons, to scrub her floors and bring the wood, +while she was engaged in making cakes and pies for her father and Magde, +who should visit her on those evenings. Of course this plan was to be +followed during the summer only. During the winter, she would spend +those afternoons and evenings in the large house. + +What true happiness did the girl experience as she thus innocently +dreamed of her future life! Her joy was increased as she fancied herself +seated in her little school-room after the close of her labors for the +day. That little room was to be a bright place in her memory forever for +was it not he, her friend, who had told her that she would require some +recreation after school hours, and was he not also to teach her the +means for doing so? + +We will not describe Nanna's blushing confusion as she told her father +of her acquaintance with Gottlieb, neither will we paint at length, the +mingled sentiments of fear and hope which filled the old man's heart as +he heard his daughter's story; but will simply remark that the meeting +between old Mr. Lonner and Gottlieb was mutually gratifying, and that as +is naturally the case under such circumstances, they each wished to +continue the acquaintance thus pleasingly commenced. + +Upon the sand in front of the cottage Magde's children were playing in +the sun, while Christine, the servant girl, was dividing her attention +between her sewing work, and the baby which was reposing in a kneading +trough, upon a little bed of rushes. She would also occasionally cast +her eyes towards the other children, as they dug little ditches which +they filled with water brought from the house in an old kettle, and then +sailed their little bark boats in these miniature canals. + +In the meantime, Magde, as usual, was sitting in the parlor, weaving at +her loom with such violence that the window panes rattled in their +sashes. As she was thus engaged she hummed a little song, which Ragnar +during their courtship had frequently sung beneath her window as a +signal that he wished to see her alone. As Magde loved her husband above +all other earthly things, his favorite song had never become discordant +to her. This song she took most pleasure in singing when she was alone, +for then she could give full rein to her fancy, and look forward to the +time when her loved husband should become a captain, and command an +elegant schooner in which he could receive his wife, for she hoped that +she might be able to take one voyage at least to Goteborg, to preside at +the table in Captain Ragnar's cabin. + +Then thought she, what a great stir her appearance in the vessel would +create! "Heavens," one would say, "what a beautiful wife our captain +has!" Yes, the captain is a man of taste. "The captain, always the +captain. O, how grand it sounded! The captain loves her so much," the +sailors would also say, "that he scarcely takes his eyes from her, and +how affectionately she looks at him! O, it must be a happy life, to be +thus married!" + +While Magde was thus engaged in her pleasant reveries, the latch was +lifted and the door swung open slowly. + +"Mercy! What can be Mr. H----'s business here!" she exclaimed. + +"O, do not disturb yourself," said Mr. Fabian, for it was our valorous +huntsman who thus disturbed Magde's dreams, "I hope everything may be +arranged without trouble. I am not the man who would injure his +neighbor, even if I had it in my power." + +"What do you mean!" exclaimed Magde dropping her shuttle in her terror. + +In the meantime the worthy gentleman had gradually approached Magde, +but so softly and cautiously that he resembled a cat about pouncing upon +a trembling mouse. + +"Heaven forbid," replied Mr. Fabian, "that I should think that you knew +anything about it. A woman so virtuous as you are, would not engage in +any wrong action; but I do think that a man's property should be +respected." + +"Mr. H----, if you have any evil tidings speak them out at once. Perhaps +Jon Jonson has arrived, and the goods that Ragnar--" + +"With a deep blush Magde suddenly ceased speaking; but her visitor +required nothing further. He pretended, however, not to have understood +her words; but as he well knew that Jon Jonson's vessel was still at +Goteborg for he expected some merchandise in it himself, it did not +require much penetration for him to surmise that the mate Lonner had +taken an opportunity of sending home some smuggled goods by his friend +Jonson. + +"I know nothing about Jon Jonson's vessel," said Mr. H---- after a +moment's pause, "but, I can readily perceive that you expect some +compliments from your husband." + +"Yes, not only compliments; but also a quantity of merchandise," replied +Magde, who, after a moment's reflection had concluded that it was better +not to make a secret of it, "as Ragnar had a little overplus he +concluded to send us a few necessary articles from Goteborg. We are +poor, and cannot demand credit until he returns." + +"It is better not to do so," replied her visitor, "but at present we +have neither Jon Jonson nor Ragnar to speak about. A certain person in +this neighborhood has placed himself in an unpleasant position." + +"Who can it be?" exclaimed Magde, terrified by Mr. Fabian's imposing +aspect, "I will run and call father!" + +"If the old man is not at home," replied her visitor concealing his joy +by assuming a frown of vexation, "it will be better not to call him as +it will only cause the venerable man much pain." + +"Tell me, do tell me, what has been done?" stammered the frightened +woman. + +"I refer to your brother Carl!" + +"Carl, the half-witted Carl." + +"O, he is in no want of wit, and his weak mind shall not serve him as a +protection when he stands before the justice. Theft is theft, no matter +who commits it. At least so the law considers it." + +"The game!" cried Magde clasping her hands in despair and terror. + +"You are right, the game that he stole from me this morning while I was +sleeping. I knew full well that the proud and conscientious Magde, would +not deny that he had brought it home." + +"But who could have--have--" + +"Right, who could have believed that he would have done so, and that is +the very point, and an unlucky one, for it proves that he must have been +seen while committing the theft." + +"How terrible this is! A few days ago I happened to say that I wished we +had some game for our old father, and now--now--" + +"Calm yourself," interrupted Mr. Fabian, extending his hand and +enforcing his consolation by a love-tap upon Magde's shoulder. In her +affliction Magde did not withdraw from this salute, and Mr. Fabian had +an opportunity of gazing upon her lovely neck for a full moment, to +prolong which he would have given the value of a hundred hares and +partridges. But Magde arousing herself from her stupor, looked her guest +full in the face, and there read an expression which displeased her. + +With a blush she replaced the handkerchief around her neck, and suddenly +enquired: + +"What then, sir, is the real intention of your visit? You said you would +not disturb us, and as the game is untouched we can return it +immediately." + +"The game is not the object of my visit." + +"What is then?" + +"The theft. Carl will be brought before the justice, I told you there +was a witness to his crime." + +"But how can that happen unless you enter a complaint?" + +"Have I not the right to enforce the law which is made to protect our +property? but it is possible that I might hush the matter up if I chose; +and when I fancy that I see the poor fellow under arrest, when I behold +him in the culprit's box, in the court-room; when I--" + +"May God protect him!" interrupted Magde, "you have said enough, Mr. +H----. I am but the wife of a poor sailor; but if my humble prayers will +be of the least avail--" and Magde, the proud Magde, who before had +often dismissed Mr. Fabian with disdainful gestures, now clasped her +hands, and looked into his face with an expression of tearful entreaty. + +"O, do not despair, my dear Magde," said he, "such tender prayers and +looks, have a wonderful influence upon me. Aside from that your present +attitude is perfectly charming." + +Overpowered by a sudden revulsion of feelings, Magde closed her eyes, +and sank her head upon her bosom. + +"I see," said she, "that you do not intend to assist us from our present +trouble." + +"On the contrary," replied Mr. Fabian with much animation, "I will do +everything for you, if you will only conduct yourself towards me, in a +manner different from that which you have done heretofore." + +"If Mr. H---- demands nothing more than friendship," replied Magde, with +difficulty repressing her anger, "that shall not be wanting." + +"Nothing more, upon my honor," said Mr. H----, joyfully, "if you, dear +Magde, will promise that when you meet me you will favor me with a look +of kindness, I assure you by my honor, that nothing more shall be heard +about this unpleasant affair; and as a proof that we shall hereafter be +friends, I demand the slight favor of a kiss." + +"That cannot be," replied Magde, with the coolness of despair, "I love +Carl as my brother, and will give anything to preserve him from +disgrace, except that which does not belong to me." + +"What do you mean, my little piece of stubbornness, do not your lips +belong to yourself?" + +"From the moment that I entered my bridal chamber, I considered myself +as belonging to my husband alone, and Mr. H----, you can be assured that +you are not the person who can cause me to forget my husband's rights." + +"Look you," shouted a harsh voice from the door, "before Magde should +kiss your wrinkled old lips, I would run into the prison of my own +accord;" and first Carl's head, and then his uncouth form appeared, as +he entered the room. His face was convulsed with passion, and his eyes +glanced irefully upon the surprised Fabian. + +"Simpleton! you trespass upon my good nature!" exclaimed Mr. Fabian, +foaming with rage. + +"Do I?" replied Carl, "perhaps I shall trespass upon something else. Do +you know, sir, what I shall say when the justice questions me?" + +"What would you say, good Carl?" inquired Magde, encouragingly. + +"I would say, for I know exactly how it will come to pass, I would +humbly say to the justice, that I did take the hares and partridges from +the proprietor of Almvik." + +"Yes," interrupted Mr. Fabian, "you will be obliged to show your hand." + +"'Now,' the judge will reply," continued Carl, without noticing the +interruption, "'My lad, why did you do so?' Then I will answer, because +it is not forbidden in my catechism; if the game had been an ox or an +ass, I would not have taken it. Then I would say to the justice, at the +same time looking at him in this way"--and Carl made such a ridiculous +grimace that Magde nearly laughed outright--"that there was no danger +that Mr. Fabian H---- would frighten such fierce animals as the ox and +the ass, for it is his custom to charm the hares and partridges by the +sweet sound of his snores, for your Honor must know that this huntsman +pursues his game while comfortably snoring in the grass." + +"What do you say, clown?" + +"And then I can call as a witness the very man whom you intend to use +against me, and finally I think that the justice will smile a little +when I tell him that Mr. Fabian H---- was willing to forget all harsh +measures for a kiss from Magde." + +"Ha! ha! ha!" exclaimed Mr. Fabian, with a forced laugh, with which he +attempted to conceal his uneasiness, "you are a waggish rogue! Your last +words have afforded me so much amusement that I have not the heart to +injure you for such a trifle. But listen, you little simpleton; you must +not suppose that the justice would allow you to say all that. No, he +would have sent you away long before you could have had time to utter a +word about it." + +Carl made no further reply than by applying his thumb to his nasal +organ; and gyrating his fingers in a manner so significant that we will +not endeavor to interpret his meaning. Having executed this manoeuver, +he hastily left the room, but remained at such a distance that he could +keep a watchful eye through the open door upon the unwelcome guest. + +Mr. Fabian, who did not wish to appear vanquished, was at a loss how to +change the conversation to such a theme as would afford him a suitable +opportunity to take his leave in a dignified manner. But good Magde, who +had now entirely recovered her usual equanimity, soon assisted him--by +means of that instinct which sometimes puts superior knowledge to the +blush--out of his dilemma by saying: + +"I am grateful to you, Mr. H----, for having forgiven Carl because his +words amused you; but what a simpleton the boy is!" + +"It was because he was a simpleton that I forgave him; but now as my +visit is at an end, I will release you from your unwelcome guest. As for +the game, Carl can keep it. It would at all events create suspicion if +it was sent to Almvik." + +"And you, Mr. H----, you will not be angry with us?" + +"I, God forbid. When I forgive I forget everything." + +Magde arose and courtesied as her visitor took his departure. She +accompanied him a short distance from the house, and waited till he +unfastened the horse's halter. + +After mounting his animal, he drove his horse near the spot where Magde +was standing, and as he passed her he bowed deeply, but his face wore an +expression that caused her entire form to tremble with an undefined +fear. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +THE TRUANT. + + +Fourteen days elapsed. Gottlieb had fully learned the road from Almvik +to the cottage in the valley. It had never entered the mind of any one +of the inmates of the cottage to consider him a dangerous guest. Magde, +who possessed a quick eye, soon discovered that Nanna was the cause of +his visits; but she also perceived that Gottlieb was no dissembler. +Magde did not look further than this, for she did not suppose Nanna +would ever love one who did not return her affection. Unrequited love +she did not believe in, and she thought that Nanna was of her opinion in +this respect. + +And in truth thus it appeared, for neither Nanna nor Gottlieb +experienced the slightest degree of restraint when in each other's +society. The change that had taken place in Nanna's appearance was +marvellous; the blossoms of buoyant and happy girlhood had usurped the +place formerly occupied by lilies on her cheeks, and our young hero had +more than once laughingly said: + +"It is fortunate, Miss Nanna, that we made our agreement when we first +met, for if we had not I do not know what would have happened. You +become lovelier every day, Nanna." + +Yet in spite of these words Gottlieb would blush with displeasure when +their meetings at the spring were disturbed by a third person. + +The youthful teacher and pupil continued their meetings at the little +fountain, and Gottlieb at this spot gave Nanna her first instructions +upon the guitar. To his great pleasure she learned quickly, and soon she +was able to sing her beautiful songs to her own accompaniment on his +favorite instrument. + +Words are inadequate to describe Gottlieb's pride and elation when this +was accomplished, and he was none the less rejoiced when he discovered +how readily Nanna comprehended him when he read to her the writings of +his favorite bards. + +On her part Nanna replied to her kind teacher, by confiding to him all +of her little plans, among the first of which she mentioned the +school-room, the cat and the singing bird which he was to have, and +Gottlieb gave her his advice concerning the arrangement of the benches +in the school-room; the position which the black-board should occupy, +and what little presents she should make her pupils as rewards of merit. +He concluded by promising to send her every year a letter of advice; +possibly he might come himself, occasionally, who knew? + +"I am sure of that," said Nanna, one afternoon in reply to Gottlieb, as +he thus expressed himself, "for when you are married you will be obliged +to visit Almvik to show your rich wife to your uncle and aunt." + +"Perhaps," replied Gottlieb, with a laugh, "that journey will not be +necessary, for if my aunt could only have her own way, she would +certainly find me a wife in this neighborhood." + +"Who could you possibly marry in this neighborhood?" inquired Nanna +curiously. + +"Ah! Mademoiselle Nanna," replied Gottlieb, "I easily perceive that you +are not in the least danger, for you can hear that your friend Gottlieb +is to be married and betray not the slightest emotion." + +"Why should I be moved, Mr. Gottlieb? It will have to occur sometime," +said Nanna innocently. + +"And yet--" + +"What yet!" + +"You are a good girl." + +"Ah, but don't you remember the agreement?" + +"Yes, and I only intended to remark that it would not be difficult for +you to adhere to it." + +"Does that displease you, sir?" inquired Nanna in a tone of displeasure +which was the more pertinent as it was foreign to her usual manner. + +"Certainly not, Miss Nanna, on the contrary I am delighted that you +should follow my advice so faithfully--either of the young ladies at the +parsonage are suitable." + +"Did you refer to one of those?" inquired Nanna, her countenance +assuming a deathly paleness, "O they are so beautiful." + +"Yes, perfectly angelic--especially Miss--Miss--what is her name?" + +"You probably allude to Miss Charlotte." + +"Right, Miss Charlotte, whose hair is so black and beautiful." + +"O, no, that is Sophia!" exclaimed Nanna. + +"Well then, Miss Sophia, I prefer her." + +"But why is it that you changed their names?" inquired Nanna. + +"Why, you heard that I did not confound her black hair with her sister's +brown ringlets." + +"How strange! Charlotte's hair is quite light!" + +"Of what earthly difference is it," replied Gottlieb, "whether +Charlotte's hair is brown or white, I think only of the roguish and +pretty Miss Sophia." + +"I think you are jesting with me, sir," said Nanna laughing so heartily +that the roses instantly returned to her cheeks. + +"I jest with you!" + +"Of course. Miss Sophia is so serious and thoughtful that no person +would call her roguish." + +"Were you not as quiet as an old prayer-book the first time I saw you?" +replied Gottlieb. + +"And even if it was so--" + +"Just look into the water, my little miss, and tell me whether you look +as you used to." + +"Then you would say, Mr. Gottlieb, that by some magic spell you have +driven away Miss Sophia's gloominess?" + +"Yes, I can say Miss Sophia's also." + +"_Also?_--that is a bold speech!" + +"Are you angry?" + +"Oh, Gottlieb!" + +"Ah, Miss Nanna. Are you weeping?" + +"Mr. Gottlieb may be mischievous and tantalizing enough to compel me to +do so; but this time he has not succeeded." + +"Well, as I cannot force you to weep, I must confess the truth, and that +is--" + +"That you have seen neither of them," interrupted Nanna. + +"Not that, there you are mistaken, for I called at the parsonage one +evening with my aunt, and I was so much pleased with the young ladies, +that now I am here with you, while they are at Almvik, where they +arrived this morning. What do you think of that?" + + * * * * * + +What Nanna thought Gottlieb did not learn; but he soon was made +acquainted with his aunt Ulrica's opinion concerning his absence. +Gottlieb arrived at the latticed gate of the court-yard at Almvik, just +in time to salute the young ladies from the parsonage as they drove +forth from the yard on their return home. They appeared somewhat +displeased, and returned Gottlieb's bow with a stiff and cold salute. + +Mr. Fabian observed with pleasure, the cloud which shadowed the brow of +his beloved Ulrica, foretelling the storm that was to burst forth; but +not on himself. + +"Nephew Gottlieb," said Aunt Ulrica drawing the young man aside, "you +have to-day for the first time afforded me an unpleasant surprise." + +"In what manner, dear aunt," replied Gottlieb. + +"Is it your custom when in your father's house to remain away all day +when young ladies are visiting your parents?" + +"Nothing would have been thought about it if such had been the case. My +mother is not overfond of such strict principles of etiquette." + +"That is to be regretted, for boys who have not been carefully guided, +rarely become gallant and well behaved young men; but we will say no +more on that subject." + +"In that I concur." + +"We will therefore confine ourselves to that subject to which an innate +knowledge guides us." + +"That leads us back upon the same road." + +"On the contrary, my young friend, if you will permit me to follow my +own course I will place you on the road to heaven." + +"Are you sure, my dear Aunt, that you have discovered the right road?" + +"Certainly, only think, a ton and a half of gold; beauty, amiability, +and a knowledge of cookery which excels that of Miss Nylander [The +author of a celebrated Swedish cook book.] herself!" + +"But love, my dear aunt, is that not to be found in heaven?" + +"O, yes, and it might have already made rapid progress if you had +assisted me in my first step towards the completion of my designs, by +remaining at home instead of running away." + +"Which proves that nothing existed before in which love could take +root." + +"Nonsense!" exclaimed Mrs. Ulrica, "if you wish to succeed your father +you ought to improve your situation by some good marriage. Miss +Charlotte is a lovely blonde, and Miss Sophia, a beautiful brunette, a +perfect Spanish donna." + +"Yes, she has a remarkable resemblance to a donna; but unfortunately I +do not prefer Spanish ladies." + +"Well, then Charlotte possesses an affectionate disposition. You cannot +but admire her fine sensitive nature, which should kindle a love +equalling Werther's love of Lotta." + +"That is precisely what I fear. How would I look imitating Werther?" + +"I do not wish you to follow his example. Charlotte is a girl for whose +sake a man might act foolishly, and still be pardoned--then you prefer +Charlotte?" + +"No, above all things in the world I detest preferences." + +"That is to say, you will cheerfully take the one of the two sisters you +most admire after you have had an opportunity of visiting them a few +weeks, and judging of their good qualities for yourself." + +"Nothing of the kind, dear Aunt." + +"Then, what do you mean?" + +"That I have a great desire to look out for myself in this matter; and +that taking all things into consideration, I am much too young to think +of marriage." + +"Then you despise your aunt's assistance?" + +"God forbid that such a sentiment should ever enter my heart. I honor +and love God. I am grateful to Him that He has given me a heart, and I +pray Him not to send me a bride which that heart cannot love." + +"Your words sound well; but I shall not have my little plot marred by +them. Will you or will you not, accompany me to the parsonage, and +conduct yourself as you should before the young ladies?" + +"I will behave politely towards any young lady; but, aunt, if you have +any other meaning concealed beneath those words then--I will say no!" + +"You wish to quarrel with me, then. Do you understand what that means, +my dear nephew?" + +"I dare not think of such a misfortune." + +"Yet that misfortune will certainly come. God knows I would do much for +you; but consider upon your words while you have yet time--you need not +trouble yourself to be present at the fishing excursion this evening." + +"Why so, aunt, am I outlawed?" + +Mrs. Ulrica Eugenia assumed an air of haughtiness. + +"Then I have fallen into disgrace," continued Gottlieb. + +"I will not deny," replied Mistress Ulrica, coldly, "that you are on the +road to disgrace; but I hope this wholesome lesson will cause you to +think better of my exertions in your behalf." + +"Of that I have my doubts," thought Gottlieb as his aunt majestically +left the room; "and yet perhaps it is foolish on my part not to take her +advice.--Oh, why is not my little nymph of the fountain the possessor of +a ton and a half of gold?--The little creature--hm--She is really too +beautiful!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +THE FISHERMAN. + + +The usually turbulent lake Wenner, presented, on the evening of which we +are about to write, an unruffled and mirror-like appearance. In its +clear bosom was reflected the lofty cliffs of mount Kinnekulle, and +sloop after sloop passed over this gigantic image until a puffing +steamboat dashed over it and the picture was lost in the foaming spray +in her wake. + +Almvik was situated on a truly romantic spot near the margin of the +lake, of which a magnificent view could be obtained from the mansion. +The surface of the lake this evening presented a pleasing spectacle. +Fishes were leaping out of the water near little boats which were +swinging at anchor, or were being pulled by sturdy fishermen who were +going forth to ensnare the subjects of the water Queen; but the proud +Queen, who, from her crystal palace beheld the danger, commanded her +subjects to retreat, and quickly the sportive fishes hastened to the +depths of the water that afforded them a barrier through which their +enemies could not break. + +In consequence of these manoeuvers on the part of the water Queen, our +friend Mr. Fabian, who frequently endeavored to capture her subjects, +was invariably unsuccessful. Undoubtedly this must have been a source of +much misery to the poor man, for he was situated between two iron wills, +namely that of his wife and that of the water Queen; the latter would +not pay tribute, while the former demanded with all the firmness of an +absolute monarch, that the tribute should be forced from the water Queen +at all hazards. + +After the above explanation our readers can well imagine Mr. Fabian's +feelings when after having congratulated himself that his wife's anger +with her nephew would occupy her mind for the entire evening, he +received a summons from her that the boat and fishing tackle were ready +for use. + +Fishing was one of Mistress Ulrica's favorite pastimes, and although she +did not generally participate in it, yet when she observed her husband's +unskillfulness, she would indignantly cast aside her parasol, and grasp +the fishing rod. However it may be, whether the water queen below wished +to compliment the earthly queen above,--we know that ladies are prone to +be polite to each other--or that some truant fish remained behind to +become an easy prey to the enemy, suffice it to say that Mistress Ulrica +was generally fortunate; but she did not--as she might have done--make +use of her advantage, as she herself would say, "to cause her husband to +blush with shame." + +When the dutiful husband arrived at the landing, he found his tender +wife, standing near the boat, clasping her child's hand in her own, and +our friend was obliged to see that his jewels were safely seated in the +boat. After he had rowed the skiff out as far as Ulrica thought was +proper, he with many misgivings threw out his line. + +"How strange it is my dear Fabian, that every time you fish you sit +still there on your seat like a perfect automaton!" + +With this preamble, Mistress Ulrica opened the floodgates of her +ill-humor, to which on occasions like the present especially she gave +perfect freedom. + +"An automaton, my dear!" + +"A post, a perfect post. You do not even turn your head; just as though +the company of your wife and child was the most wearisome thing of your +life." + +But dearest Ulrique Eugenie, I must keep watch for a bite. If I turn +around--" + +"You would not lose the sense of feeling if you should; but you hope, I +suppose, that persons on the shore will think you master of the boat. +Simpleton! What folly to think that!" + +"Dear Ulrique Eugenie, shall I ask if you have spared my nephew your +ill-humor that you may vent it on me. It is my opinion--" + +"What is your opinion, sir?" + +"O nothing further than that I am sufficiently burdened with your +natural bad-temper already, without having it increased by the aid of +another." + +"Burdened!--ill-humor--bad temper!--is the man mad? Do you thus speak to +me, your wedded wife, who bears your stupid indifference; your want of +tenderness and love with angelic forbearance? O, this is too much! It is +shameful! It is undeserved!" + +"Now, now, Ulgenie, do not be so hasty. You know how patient I am." + +"And what am I, then, to be married to such a musty husband? Your wife +is courted before your very eyes; you see nothing! you hear nothing!--I +could be unfaithful to you, and even then you would close your eyes. O, +fate! O bitter life! such a husband can drive a wife to desperation, and +from thence it is but one step to madness." + +"Who is again playing the gallant to you?" + +And in this "again," reposed an expression which displayed that such +scenes were not new to him. Mistress Ulrica, like other women, possessed +her weak points, one of which was that if a gentleman happened to +converse with her pleasantly, she immediately imagined that he was +desperately in love with her. But to her great sorrow, Mrs. Ulrica, +although she possessed entire control over her husband's actions, never +could make an Othello of him. Had Mr. Fabian but known her desire in +this respect, he could have deprived his wife of her sceptre, and taken +up the reins of matrimonial government himself. + +A tyrannical husband would have been able to bend Mrs. Ulrica like a +reed, and to have trodden her under his feet which she would willingly +have kissed; but now Mr. Fabian kissed her feet, and therefore she +crushed him to the dust, and although she did not merit the reproach +that Desdemona received, it was, nevertheless, no fault of his. But of +what use would it have been even should she have merited it? Othello was +a fanciful creation which her husband of all men would have been least +willing to personate. + +"My Fabian," she would say to herself, "my Fabian can never prove +unfaithful to me. He is too much of an idler, and thinks only of his +sofa, pipe and tobacco." + +But we will resume the thread of the worthy couple's conversation. + +"Who is again making love to you?" inquired Mr. Fabian again. + +Mrs. Ulrica uplifted her reproachful eyes to Heaven. "He asks who! he +has not even observed it!" + +"No, my dear wife, I have not." + +"And yet he has this entire day--," she turned her face aside, feigning +to conceal a blush. + +"To-day! Why we have had no gentlemen guests to-day, except the pastor's +assistant who came with the young ladies, and took his departure before +they did." + +"No gentlemen guests! As if he, the accomplished scholar, and +entertaining gentleman, was nobody! and it was nothing that--" + +"Well, what further?" + +"That he, carried away by those charms, that you have so long observed +with indifference, should become deeply smitten with me." + +"What! Do you think he entertains a secret affection for you?" + +"Affection, I will not say affection; but passion, which word your dull +brain cannot comprehend, you virtuous and modest Joseph!" the lady +laughed at her own joke, and then continued, "I am not certain whether I +had better tell the young man that I have discovered his hope; but I +shall be forced to forbid his visiting me, which will be the same as +telling the whole world how this delicate affair stands." + +"Will you permit me to give you a little advice?" said Mr. Fabian. + +"Why not, Fabian, you are my husband, and as such you have the right to +do so." + +"Then I would say, drop the subject where it stands." + +"Are you not fearful! Do you not shudder at the possibility of an +unpleasant event?" + +"O, my dearest Ulgenie, can I for a moment doubt your strength of soul, +your virtue?" + +"It is true I am thus strongly armed, and I thank you, my dear Fabian, +for confiding in my faithfulness."--As was usual a few cheering +sun-beams followed the cooling shower.--"Forgive me, my dear husband, +for harrowing your feelings; but there are times when even the strongest +minded are weak." + +"You are an exception, my love." + +These confident words had nearly renewed the vexation within Mistress +Ulrica's bosom; but suddenly she was struck with an idea that caused her +to assume a still more affectionate expression of countenance. + +"We will trouble ourselves no more concerning that deeply to be pitied +young man. I have something else which I wish to confide to you." + +"Another lover?" inquired Mr. Fabian, widening his eyes. + +"I refer to a youth, for whose welfare I am deeply concerned." + +"Explain yourself, my dear." + +"Fabian, you must not hate him, for the young man does not understand +himself, this I will answer for with my life, and perhaps he only +indulges a platonic affection for one who realizes the romantic ideas +which his youthful imagination had formerly brought forth." + +"You do not mean Gottlieb, do you?" inquired Fabian, unsuccessfully +endeavoring to conceal a laugh. + +"Fabian, why do you speak so sardonically? If in spite of your +watchfulness, his has, unobserved by you, paid a tribute to your wife's +beauty, you must remember that he did not know he was sinning. It was +merely an accident that made me acquainted with the secret of his +heart." + +"Will you permit me to inquire what that accident was?" + +"With pleasure. I had--I tell you this in confidence--I had chosen one +of the pastor's daughters as his wife; I invited her to Almvik to-day, +but he avoided her presence. He retired to that solitude which he seeks +every evening either before or after we go out on our drive. A certain +instinctive sentiment causes him to leave the house when you are absent, +and more than all, when I reproached him for his faults, and pointed to +the advantageous match I had in view for him, he had the boldness to say +that he would retain to himself the right of disposing of his own +heart." + +"And do you believe, my dear, that you are the first cause of this +trouble?" + +"I have felt grieved at the thought that it might be so, nothing +further." + +"Well, well, dear Ulgenie, I will release you from this burden on your +conscience." + +Mr. Fabian, who always found it a difficult matter to converse long upon +a serious matter, spoke the above words in a tone of voice especially +lively, for his heart was rejoiced at the thought that now he had an +opportunity of ridding himself of an unwelcome guest, without giving +cause for any one to believe that it was his own desire to do so. + +"What are you babbling about?" inquired Mistress Ulrica, sharply, "what +do you know about my nephew's affairs?" + +"Nothing further than that he has had a little love affair of his own, +which occupies his attention during those solitary walks you referred to +a moment ago." + +"He! Gottlieb! Has he dared to fall in love!" + +"Certainly." + +"Impossible!" + +"But I assure you that it is true, and if you will ask him why he so +frequently visits the valley, he certainly will not deny that he goes +there for the purpose of meeting handsome Nanna, the daughter of old Mr. +Lonner. He reads poetry to her, and under the pretence of teaching her +the guitar, he finds an opportunity of pressing her pretty little white +hands." + +"If that is true. If he, while he remains under my roof, enters into +such a miserable intrigue, I will--for I consider it my duty as +occupying the place of his mother--I will to-morrow morning mar his +plans. But how did you learn this?" + +This was a question which Mr. Fabian could not truthfully answer, for if +he should do so, he would have been obliged to state that he, after his +disagreeable parting with Magde, had taken a roundabout path towards +Almvik, which conducted him so near the valley that he discovered two +persons sitting beneath the tree near the fountain, and that from that +day forward he had closely watched Gottlieb's movements, so that he +might be enabled to hold a weapon over the one who might perhaps be a +spy upon his own actions. + +It was therefore an accident which opened Mr. Fabian's eyes to +Gottlieb's crime; but he had not wished to play the part of an accuser, +O, no, for such love affairs were common to all young men, at least he +thus assured his wife. + +"Make no excuse for him, sir," interrupted Mistress Ulrica sharply, +"this indeed is excellent, and will become still richer if not prevented +in time. The reproaches of a mother on the one hand, and the curses of a +father on the other; a seduced girl, perhaps something worse; a criminal +investigation, and a scandal in which our house, and possibly +ourselves, will figure largely; all this we must expect. As true as my +name is Ulrique Eugenie, this matter shall have an end, and a speedy +end, too." + +"But how will you accomplish that?" inquired Fabian. + +"That I shall attend to myself. Gottlieb has said that he should like to +travel over the mountains into Norway. Now then he can go to Amal, and +from thence he may commence his journey. He shall have money, but must +obey me." + + * * * * * + +The following morning, after Mistress Ulrica had convinced herself by +her own eyes of the truth of her husband's report, for she followed +Gottlieb to the meadow that morning instead of taking her usual ride, +Gottlieb was summoned to her apartment, and underwent an examination +that nearly exhausted his entire stock of patience. The interview +resulted in his determination to accept his aunt's proposal, that he +should take a journey into Norway. He did not inform Nanna, however, of +the cause of his sudden departure, for he feared that it would grieve +her. + +Their last interview was cheered by bright anticipations of the day when +Gottlieb should return and observe the improvement which Nanna should +make, both in her performance on the guitar, and in her education; for +when his aunt had made a contract of peace with him, Gottlieb had +insisted that Nanna should have the guitar, to which clause the old lady +consented. + +The young couple parted in the hope of a joyful meeting, and Gottlieb's +farewell kiss did not assist Nanna to forget him. + +The next day after Gottlieb had taken his departure, Jon Jonson's sloop +arrived in the bay opposite the little cottage in the valley. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +GRIEF. + + +Nearly two months had elapsed since those remarkable days on which Nanna +had received her first kiss, and Magde had heard from her husband by the +arrival of Jon Jonson's sloop. + +Great had been her joy when Ragnar's gifts arrived in safety.--She then +thought that everything had come to a good conclusion. But greatly was +she deceived! There was a man to whom Magde had invariably conducted +herself with cool indifference, and who, after having been defeated by +her in the manner which we have before described bestowed upon her a +parting glance which had caused her to shudder as if she had trodden +upon a serpent. And he was indeed a serpent in human guise, for soon she +felt the delayed sting of the venomous reptile. + +Until Ragnar had received his appointment as mate, old Mr. Lonner had +invariably purchased his supplies of the merchants at Goteborg; but as +Ragnar thought that foreign goods could be obtained much cheaper by +procuring them himself, and sending them home without paying the duty, +he soon persuaded the old man to adopt his opinion on the subject. + +Until now no unpleasant consequence had resulted from Ragnar's +occasionally smuggling a few articles for the use of the family; but the +old adage says "a pitcher which goes oft to the fountain is soon +broken," and in Ragnar's case this proverb was verified. + +Yet, for this accident, the custom house officers were not so much to +blame, for not one in that service would have thought for a moment of +searching the cottage in the valley, unless positive information was +received, nay more, unless that information was accompanied with threats +of exposure, for dereliction of duty. Unfortunately, the custom house +stamp was wanting upon the handkerchiefs, shawls, and other goods sent +by Ragnar, and the family not only were deprived of them, but were +menaced with fines and penalties, which to pay, was entirely out of +their power. To add to their misfortune their protector, Ragnar, who +would have soon put an end to their troubles, had started a few days +before the catastrophe, upon a voyage to Brazil. + +Magde and Nanna wept only when they were alone, or at least when they +were with each other. They concealed their tears from the old man, his +life should not be further embittered; it was bitter enough already. The +little fortune on which they had hoped to subsist for many months was +entirely swept away. Old Mr. Lonner, however, observed the secret grief +of his daughters, and said to himself: + +"Poor children, you do not know what is yet to come." + +The smuggled goods were marked with old Mr. Lonner's name only, and he +well knew that a heavy penalty was yet to follow. + +"We have enjoyed so much happiness, and peace, since Ragnar and Magde +were married," said he encouragingly to his daughter, "that we should +bravely endure a little misfortune. It is not allotted to man that he +should enjoy a constant season of prosperity." + +But Nanna and Magde smiled sorrowfully as he thus spoke. The inmates of +the cottage now exerted themselves to the utmost to better their sad +condition. Our friend Carl exerted himself beyond all the others. He who +had neglected the affairs of his own relations for those of his +neighbors, now scarcely had leisure to step beyond the boundary line of +his father's estate. He was everything, and did everything so willingly +and skilfully, that it was not necessary for the family to hire any +servant to assist them as they had formerly done, and although latterly +he had been somewhat feeble in health, he cared not for himself, but +worked manfully in wet as well as dry weather. His troubles and toil +were all forgotten, when Magde would reward him for his efforts with a +friendly nod of her head. + +And when she would say, "You will work yourself to death, my Carl," he +would laugh pleasantly, and immediately renew his efforts ten fold. He +now determined that after his duties at home were performed, to go among +the neighbors; not to be a nurse for their children, as before, but to +work for wages, and after this when he returned and placed the money on +Magde's weaving loom, a bright object might have been discovered +glistening upon the crumpled bank-note. It was a tear of joy which Carl +had shed. + +Magde after the first occurrence of this incident, dared to praise Carl +no further. She already perceived the consequence of so doing, but after +the lilacs and lilies had faded, the tulips, roses and lavender bushes, +bloomed, and however weary Magde might find herself after a day of toil, +she would each evening place elegant boquets in Carl's flower vases. + +At length, and too soon, the decision in regard to the smuggled goods +arrived, and as Mr. Lonner was unable to pay the penalty imposed upon +him, he was doomed to imprisonment. In this their day of trouble, Mr. +Lonner alone retained his courage. + +He well knew in truth to whom they were indebted for their distress, but +he feared nothing. He trusted in the belief that Magde would do all that +was in her power to raise the sum of money necessary to pay the fine. It +was unfortunate, however, that Magde, without the old man's knowledge, +had expended their small stock of money to pay a few debts that they had +contracted the previous spring. + +We will not attempt to depict the misery of the moment when old Mr. +Lonner stepped into the boat which was to conduct him to the prison at +Harad which was located on the opposite side of the lake, and where he +was to be confined for the time being. Both of his daughters wished to +accompany him to the opposite shore; but he forbade them so seriously +that they dared not press their desires further. + +It was touching to observe these sorrow stricken females, amidst their +terror search high and low in the cottage for various articles of +comfort for their beloved father. At length, with a slight degree of +sorrowful impatience old Mr. Lonner ordered the boatmen to push off from +the shore, and then it was piteous in the extreme to behold both Magde +and Nanna, as they clung to the gunwale, to whisper their tearful +adieu's, and to promise that they would pay him a visit in his prison in +a few days. + +Finally the bitter moment was over; the boat rapidly proceeded from the +land; but so long as they could discern the old man's white locks +fluttering in the breeze and even until the boat appeared a speck in the +distance, Nanna and Magde remained on the shore gazing out upon the +water. + +In the meantime Carl without the knowledge of the family had proceeded +to the opposite shore of the lake, and when the boat which contained his +father touched the shore, Carl greeted him tenderly and presented him +with a ten dollar bank note. This was a treasure indeed, and Carl had +obtained it by selling the only article of value which he possessed. It +was a silver watch, which his mother had given him before she died. + +On his return home that evening he remarked:--"Father need not fear. He +can live in his prison rolling in riches; a gentleman met him on the +other shore and loaned him ten dollars." + +How Magde and Nanna blessed the kind hearted gentleman; but their joy +was but momentary. What should they do now? How should they provide for +themselves in this unexpected trouble. Their poor neighbors like +themselves, were moneyless, and their wealthy neighbors would +undoubtedly require some security before they would loan them money. + +Nanna often looked towards the spot in the meadow, so full of pleasant +memories. If her kind friend would only return. He certainly, would be +able to advise them how to act in their present strait. + +Three days elapsed after the old man's departure, and many were the +plans formed by Magde, but the only apparently feasible one, was that +which she would most unwillingly undertake to carry into effect. She was +perfectly convinced that the proprietor of Almvik would willingly assist +her; but he would do it _too_ willingly, for afterwards he would cause +her to feel that she was in his debt. + +"But," thought she in a maze of doubt and fear, "what shall I do? Is it +better to remain as we are and allow the poor old man to languish in +prison, or to go to Almvik, and thus receive the only boon our father +wishes, liberty? But what would Ragnar advise me to do. He loves his +father as he does the apple of his eye; but his wife he loves as he does +his own heart--And then if he should imagine that Mr. Fabian H---- --Oh! +my God! what trouble would then arise!--but again I shall not be able to +assist the old man--no, no, that will not do, I can hold out no longer." + +Magde had no person with whom to consult, for what advice could poor +Carl give? Nanna was a mere child, and Magde felt that she could not +consult her upon such an intricate question. + +She had conversed with the parson concerning her trouble, yet although +he was not backward in giving her good advice, he nevertheless refused +to assist her with his purse, for he was as miserly as he was wealthy. + +The time had now arrived when Magde could no longer postpone the +promised visit to her father, and all the members of the family wished +to go upon this little pilgrimage. Great were the preparations that were +made to supply themselves with a sufficient quantity of provisions which +they were to take to the old man. Magde baked pan-cakes, and Nanna made +pies, and if a smile did appear on Magde's lips it was when they spoke +of the pleasant surprise they were preparing for their father. + +At length the moment for their departure arrived. Even little Christine +and the favorite dog Carlo, were to form a portion of the company, that +they might be able to see their old friend. The children leaped with +joy. + +They thought only of the pleasant trip over the swelling billows of the +lake. Magde finished lading the skiff; but her heart was overflowing +with grief, for she had no glad tidings with which to gladden the heart +of the old man. + +Nanna who during the busy activity of the morning had successfully +endeavored to suppress her sorrow, was so much overcome as she was about +stepping into the boat that she nearly fainted. She saw in her +imagination the pale and suffering countenance of her father; who was +however smiling patiently as he stood ready to greet his children, that +were to leave him again in his dreary and lonely prison. + +The poor child in anticipation suffered all the pangs of a second +farewell with her imprisoned parent. + +"It will not do for you to accompany us," said Magde in a firm and +motherly tone, "you are ill, and therefore had better return." + +"I am afraid," replied Nanna trembling violently, "that I shall be +obliged to do so. Give my love to him, and tell him--" and now her long +suppressed tears burst forth in torrents--"tell him if I do not come, it +is not because I do not love him." + +"Silence, silence my poor sister, I know myself what I have to say--Go +and may God be with you--here is the key--Lock the door--Carl take the +oars." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +THE BANISHMENT--THE RE-UNION. + + +When Magde's boat passed the mansion at Almvik, two persons were walking +on the verge of the shore near the lake. The one was Mistress Ulrica, +and her companion was Gottlieb, who had returned a few days before, from +his trip through Norway. + +As the boat shot round a rocky point of land, Gottlieb exclaimed, as he +recognized its occupants, and bowed friendly to them: "Where are they +all going! They look so sorrowful and dejected!" + +"Sorrowful!" repeated Mrs. Ulrica, "you may thank God that it is not +necessary for you to participate in the sorrows of the lower classes." + +"If they are in trouble, I do not see why I should not sympathise with +them." + +Aunt Ulrica shook her head with a dissatisfied expression of +countenance. + +"You may certainly boast of your firmness of mind, and your knowledge of +human nature; I have shown you the danger of associating with such +persons. I sent you away--I--" + +"I beg your pardon," interrupted Gottlieb, hastily, "I was not _sent_ +away. I took a journey which I had decided on myself, and returned as I +departed, with a heart ever ready to sympathise with the afflicted." + +"Then go, and participate in the sorrows of your beggar friends. I +suppose, from your liberal words, that you are well supplied with +money." + +"What has happened to them?" + +"The old man, in connection with his son, has been detected in smuggling +foreign goods, and of course his property was confiscated. The old +gentleman in whose name the business was transacted, was sent to prison +because he had no money to pay the penalty, and there he will remain +until you go to his release." + +"And he shall not wait long," replied Gottlieb. "I have accomplished +greater undertakings than that in my time." + +"Ah, ha," sneered Mrs. Ulrica, "you speak boldly, boy. I am +astonished." + +"If any one should be astonished, I am the person." + +"Indeed!" + +"I come to relatives who at first welcomed me cordially. My affections +attached themselves to my kind friends, for it is a necessary quality +for me to be grateful; but suddenly everything is changed, and I am +treated like a school boy, whom you must curb, or else fear that he +might commit some folly. To this description of guardianship I have not +been accustomed, and as it is not my desire to submit to your control, I +must beg you, Aunt Ulrica, not to attempt to govern me in this manner, +for I assure you that your efforts will always be fruitless." + +"Foolish boy! You forget that I could be useful to you; could smooth +your path by my wealth and influence." + +"I do not forget it, and I should have been very happy to have been able +to retain your good will; but at the price of my liberty of thought and +action, I do not desire your favor." + +"Then you will return to the valley, to Miss Nanna." + +"Undoubtedly. She requires my presence, and I long to see her." + +"Then you still love the young girl?" inquired Mrs. Ulrica. + +"I do not know whether I loved her when I departed from Almvik; but +this much I do know, that her image has been with me constantly during +my absence; and that I shall see her again to-day." + +"To tell her of this folly?" + +"O, no, that would be unjust, as I can tell her nothing more." + +"Thank Heaven for that! You, yourself, see that it would be impossible +to--" + +"What?" inquired Gottlieb, as his aunt paused. + +"To marry her." + +"I do not at all consider it impossible; but as it is uncertain whether +I ought to wed Nanna when the time arrives for me to marry, it is better +for both of us that we should rest satisfied with friendship alone." + +"Listen to me, Gottlieb. Sometimes you speak so wisely that I am not +certain but that it would repay me to make a proposal to you." + +"Well, I am all attention." + +"If I am not much mistaken, pity is the only sentiment that you feel for +that girl, Nanna. If I was to take it upon myself to pay the old man's +fine; if I should further promise you to provide for Nanna's future +maintenance--you know I would not break my word--will you bind yourself +not to see her again?" + +"No, I will never do that. She would be oppressed with sorrow throughout +her whole life, if I should be capable of making such an unworthy +promise." + +"Obstinate youth! you force me to perform my duty to your mother my +sister, and command you to visit Almvik no longer. I will not burden my +conscience by abetting you in your misconduct." + +"I will remain a few days longer," replied Gottlieb without evincing the +slightest emotion, "to rest myself after my journey, and then I shall be +ready to obey your command." + +"Right," muttered Mrs. Ulrica hotly, as she hastily left the young man, +"you shall repent this." + +Without wasting time by thinking upon this conversation with his aunt, +Gottlieb hastened on the road towards the little cottage. He had +observed Nanna was not in the boat, and after proceeding to the spring, +and fruitlessly searching for her, he hurried to the cottage, his heart +beating with such rapidity as he stood before the door, that he was +astonished at his great emotion. + +"Illness could not have prevented her from going with them," thought he, +"certainly not, or they would have remained with her." + +Thus thinking he knocked at the door; but he was obliged to repeat the +summons several times before he heard the sound of slow footsteps +approaching. + +"Who is there?" inquired a soft voice from within. + +"'Tis I, Nanna!" + +An exclamation of joyful surprise was the only reply. The bolt was +quickly thrown back; the door opened, and Nanna appeared upon the +threshold, pale and careworn. She was clothed in her only holiday dress, +a black merino frock which fitted closely around her neck, thereby +disclosing her graceful bust to its best advantage. + +Without speaking, but overwhelmed with her joyful emotions, she cast +herself in Gottlieb's arms, and never was there a purer embrace given or +returned than on this occasion. With tender gentleness Gottlieb +imprinted his second kiss upon her lips, and then said softly:-- + +"Poor Nanna, poor child, you have at least one friend in your +adversity." + +"Then Gottlieb is acquainted with--" She blushingly withdrew herself +from his embrace. She had not thought that her greeting had been +contrary to customary usage. + +"Yes, I know your sorrow; and you may rest assured that I will give +myself no rest, during the few days that I remain here, until I see your +father at liberty and safely in his own house again." + +"O, if that were but possible!" she clasped her hands and lifted her +eyes, confidingly, to the face of her youthful friend. + +"It shall be possible, Nanna. You have my word for it. If I had been +here it would not have happened." + +"I thought so. An inner voice told me that if _he_ would only come to us +all would be well again." + +"I am grateful for your confidence and shall always remember it with +pleasure." + +"Remember it!" exclaimed Nanna, "are you going to leave us again?" + +Nanna again clasped her hands, and this action and the mournful +expression of her countenance spoke more than words could have +expressed. + +"Will you miss me, Nanna?" + +"Always." + +"And perhaps wish we had never met?" inquired Gottlieb earnestly. + +"Ah, no," replied Nanna warmly, "the remembrance of you will perhaps +work a happier future for me than I would have had without it." + +"But tell me," said Gottlieb changing the subject to one less dangerous, +"why did not your sister apply to the proprietor of Almvik." + +"O, she would never apply to him. She would rather allow things to take +their own course." + +"Why so?" + +"I know not whether I dare tell you. Papa and Magde, consider me a mere +child, yet I can understand that Mr. H---- has sought her with wrong +motives, and if I can believe my brother, Carl--" + +"What then?" interrupted Gottlieb eagerly. + +"Then I can believe that all of our troubles have originated in the fact +that Magde refused to give that gentleman a kiss when he requested it." + +"What, did he wish to purchase a kiss?" + +"Yes, for Carl's pardon," and now Nanna related every circumstance +connected with the theft of the game, in nearly the same words in which +she had heard it from Carl. + +After a short season of reflection, during which he compared the +different circumstances, Gottlieb arrived at the same conclusion that +Carl had expressed to his sister; and at the same time he also fancied +that he had discovered a method for old Mr. Lonner's release, which +could not fail of success. In the meantime he merely inquired whether +Mr. Fabian H---- had visited the cottage since his discomfiture. + +"I have several times observed him prowling about the premises," replied +Nanna; "he probably hoped to have an opportunity of seeing Magde alone, +which however he has never had, for even should he offer his assistance, +she would not have dared to accept it, for if she did, Ragnar would be +very angry." + +When Gottlieb returned to Almvik, he learned that his worthy uncle, whom +as he before knew had left the house early that morning, was not +expected to return until late in the evening. In consequence of this +unfortunate circumstance, Gottlieb saw nothing before him except a +vexatious delay in his intended operations; but it soon entered his mind +that Mr. Fabian's absence might be connected in some degree with his +wayward love. The day on which he had visited Magde, in order to take +advantage of Carl's theft, he had also departed from Almvik in the +morning, for during the evening hours his wife was invariably on the +watch. + +The more Gottlieb considered this circumstance the more he was convinced +that if his uncle had sown the seed it was done for his own benefit, and +undoubtedly the time was now at hand when he should reap the harvest. + +"Ah!" thought Gottlieb, "if I should only be so fortunate as to obtain a +power over my uncle, my suspicions and conjectures would exert a +powerful influence upon his yielding disposition, especially, if I +should place his wife in the back-ground. But to surprise him, with my +own eyes in forbidden grounds, would be as good as to have old Mr. +Lonner safe back in his cottage again." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE PRISONER. + + +While the incidents last narrated were transpiring on the one side of +the lake, Magde's boat had reached the other, and the occupants of the +boat were about landing, yes, Carl had even secured the boat to the +stake, when one of the little ones in attempting to reach the landing, +fell overboard with a loud cry. + +The young and always self-possessed mother, answered the boy's cry, not +by crying out herself, but by springing into the water after him, and +when Carl turned to learn the cause of the confusion, she had already +reached her little boy, and was holding him up at arm's length out of +the water. It was all done in a moment, without the least unnecessary +confusion. + +"Carl," said she quietly, "take the boy." + +But Carl had lost his self-possession entirely. After he had literally +thrown the boy on the landing, he inquired with a trembling voice:-- + +"Could you not wait for me? The boy would not have sunk immediately." + +"You must not scold me, Carl, I am only a little wet." + +She then quietly drew herself to the shore. + +"How will you dry yourself now?" inquired Carl in a tone of uneasiness +and vexation. + +"O, easily, I will call on Mother Larsson and borrow a dress to wear +while we visit our father, and my clothing will be dry by the time we +return." + +Carl was silent. He was displeased because Magde had not called him to +her assistance. Meanwhile he proceeded with the children to the prison, +that he might prepare the old man for the visit. Magde did not tarry +long at Mother Larsson's. As soon as she had obtained the necessary +garments, she hurried on, clothed in a neat peasant's frock which fitted +her fine form gracefully. + +The prison at Harad was located in the ruins of an old castle. Its +outward appearance presented a dark and forbidding aspect. The heart of +the beholder would contract within him as he gazed upon those ruins of +fallen greatness, as they reposed before him, dark and deserted, like +an evil omen in his path. + +But the interior of the prison, with its tottering weather beaten +projections, apparently ready to fall from their resting places, +presented an appearance still more gloomy and forbidding. Dampness, and +mould of a hundred years growth had obliterated all traces of the fresco +paintings that had formerly ornamented the ceiling, on which the +moisture had gathered and fell at regular intervals with a hollow patter +upon the stone pavement below. + +The places once occupied by glittering chandeliers were now shrouded +with immense spider webs, in which a whole colony of spiders lived +subsisting on the noisome vapors of this gloomy charnel like abode. + +Aside from these poisonous insects, an occasional rat, and a few +unfortunate prisoners, there were no other inhabitants in this dark +prison. A flock of jackdaws had built their nest beneath the eaves of +the old castle, and as they received good treatment from the prisoners +they would pay them a passing visit at their grated windows to look in +upon them or to receive a few crumbs of bread. Old Mr. Lonner had +already made their acquaintance and derived much pleasure from attending +to their little wants, while he anxiously awaited the arrival of his +children. + +When Magde arrived she found Carl had prepared the way for her so that +she, without hindrance, proceeded directly to the old man's cell. Mr. +Lonner was deeply moved by the visit of his children; but he appeared +perfectly resigned. Magde's two children were seated upon his knees, +while Carl was standing before him relating all that had transpired +during his imprisonment. The cloud which had rested upon the old man's +brow changed instantly to an expression of joy when he beheld Magde the +wife of his beloved son, enter the room. His arms trembled as he +embraced her, and his heart throbbed painfully when she described her +sorrows and troubles, and told him that Nanna had nearly fainted as they +were about entering the boat, at the mere thought of the second parting. + +"It was right to leave her behind," said Mr. Lonner, "and if we can only +find some means whereby I may be released before the autumn, that the +cold may not increase my feebleness, then--" + +"Means must be found, father, I think, of immediately going to the city, +to take our cow and the two sheep with me, aside from those I will also +take the piece of linen which I have made for Ragnar's shirts. By adding +all these together I--" + +"But, dear daughter, if you sell the cow, how will these little ones +prosper?" He clasped his hands upon the two little white heads of the +children who were sitting in his lap. + +"O, I can borrow some milk of our neighbors, and we can repay them in +the fall, after Ragnar returns, for then we shall have another cow." + +"That will never do, my child. We must discover some other method." + +"I had an idea, also," said Carl, advancing from a corner into which he +had withdrawn when Magde entered. + +"What is it, my good boy?" inquired his father. + +"I was thinking about that which Ragnar has so often told us, about the +people in England who procured money by pawning themselves--what was it +he called it?" continued he, scratching his head to arouse his memory. + +"Life Insurance, was it not?" replied his father. + +"That's it, father, and Ragnar also told me that even here in Sweden, +gold might be obtained from England on such terms. Now, if we could find +some one who understood this matter, and would undertake to draw up the +proper writings, I would willingly give my life as security, and then +you see, father, I should be just the same as so much ready money." + +"My good son, your words are well intended; but it is not as you think +in relation to Life Insurance." + +"O, that is too bad, father, or you might have received a large sum of +money when I am dead." + +"My life, I hope, will be finished before yours," said his father, "I am +old, and you are young." + +"True, I am young in years; but lately, yes, last Friday, while I +passed through the church yard, I heard a voice, and that voice I +believed." + +"What ideas you invent!" exclaimed Magde, frightened for the first time, +as she observed Carl's hollow cheeks and sunken eye, "but what did the +voice say?" + +"'Carl, Carl, Carl,' it said, calling my name three times, 'you will not +live long.'" + +"Your brain is weak, my boy, because you have worked too hard. When your +body has received rest, and rest it must have, you will feel much +better. But tell me, Carl, what you thought when you imagined you heard +the voice." + +"I did not think, but merely replied, 'indeed.'" + +"But, Carl, with this superstition you will make your father sorrowful." + +"Sorrowful? I do not think so. Should he be sorrowful because our +Saviour in his grace is willing to call me to his fold? Instead of being +sorrowful, the day of my departure should be a festive day. How many +troubles do we escape after we are placed in the earth!" + +"But if you think in that manner, you will become mournful yourself, you +will not be able to laugh any more." + +"Not laugh," replied Carl, and without an effort he commenced laughing +merrily. His face glowed with mirthfulness, and his melancholy humor +seemed to have vanished as if by magic. It appeared so strange to him +that Magde should desire him to laugh, that he forgot all about the +life insurance or the warning voice, and once thus engaged, he took no +farther part in the consultation. + +An hour elapsed, and Magde, after having emptied the basket of its +contents, experienced a return from the hope that had sustained her +during the interview, to her former despondency, as the moment of +parting approached. Carl proceeded in advance to prepare the boat. + +"In four days, at the furtherest, I shall return," said Magde, pausing +upon the threshold of her father's cell, "and then, as I hope for +Ragnar's continued love, I shall bring you good tidings." + +"Thank you, my dear Magde. Ragnar shall learn all that you have done for +his old father. Kiss Nanna, poor little innocent, for me, and tell her +that she must not come here, for it will only make her heart more heavy +and sad." + +A moment later, and the creaking doors resounded throughout the ruins, +the prisoner was again alone. + +But once more did he hear a dear voice, for when Magde arrived at the +outside, she remembered with a feeling of uneasiness, that her youngest +child had not been blessed by its grandfather. In the haste of +departure, the little one had been entirely forgotten; but as it was +impossible for her to leave the prison with the dear child unblessed, +she stood beneath the grated window, and exclaimed: + +"Father, dear father, please look through the window, and I will hold +up the baby for you, that you may give it your blessing." + +Immediately the old man's white head appeared at the window, and Magde +held the child aloft in her hands towards him. + +And now everything was performed rightly; the last farewell glances were +exchanged, and then Magde and her children disappeared from the old +man's sight. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +GOTTLIEB ON THE WATCH. + + +The heat of the day had been followed by the pleasant coolness of an +August evening. The hands of the clock pointed to the hour of ten, and +Gottlieb, who had been walking during the entire evening in the +neighborhood of the little red cottage, began to think that his uncle +Fabian had in all comfort reached his home by another road. + +"It is so quiet in the cottage," thought he, "that I think they have all +retired." + +He glanced stealthily over the lilac hedge towards Magde's window. The +entire valley was bathed in moonlight, and the moonbeams glanced +directly through the window panes of Magde's apartment, with such vivid +brightness that Gottlieb was undecided how to act. + +Soon, however, he resolved to convince himself of the true state of +affairs, that he might be prepared if his uncle should arrive. + +He gradually made an opening in the hedge and having found his way clear +before him he advanced to the window which, as the weather was warm, was +secured only by a small cord. He glanced through the window, and a +beautiful picture met his gaze. In this chamber, the husband and wife's +little temple, the moonlight was brilliantly reflected from Ragnar's +brightly polished hunting and fishing implements which, neatly arranged, +were hung against the walls. + +At the opposite side of the room, a much worn sailor's hat, commonly +called a tarpaulin, was balanced upon the point of a fishing rod, and +beneath this trophy was placed a small side board, the open doors of +which disclosed a number of shelves laden with gilt edged drinking +vessels of white and blue china; a set of rose colored tea-cups, and +several polished silver plated mugs. A few uncommonly excellent +specimens of carving in wood, decorated one of the shelves, and another +shelf contained several articles of jewelry which Magde had received +both before and after she was married. All these little valuables Magde +had gathered together, after she had put the children to bed, in the +hope that she might find some few articles among them that would save +her from disposing of the cow. + +But her search, undoubtedly, had proved fruitless, for Magde's ornaments +were made almost entirely of bronze. + +Seated in a chair with her hand resting upon the cradle, Magde was now +sleeping soundly. + +She had been called, probably, while she was engaged in assorting her +little treasures, to attend to the wants of her infant, and overcome by +fatigue had unwillingly submitted to the power of that consoler of human +grief, sleep. Her face was turned towards the window, and the moonlight +illumined her entire figure, which was rendered more prominent by the +fact that the cradle stood in the centre of the room. She was still +attired in the garments she had borrowed, and her brown hair, fell in +two long braids over her loose white sleeves, from whence they dropped +upon the face of the sleeping child, while Magde's elbow was resting +upon the little pillow. + +"What a picture for a painter!" thought Gottlieb. "Young Lonner is not +the most miserable of men, by my faith; but I know one who at some +future time will look much prettier in that position!" + +The dull sound of a horse's hoofs, aroused him from his reveries. + +"Ah, ha," thought he as a smile of triumph played upon his lips, "I was +right. We shall now see what is to happen." + +Gottlieb returned to his hiding place in the hedge with noiseless +rapidity. He had not remained long in his somewhat tiresome position, +when the sound of the horse's hoofs ceased, and from the noise which +proceeded from the other side of the hedge he concluded that the owner +of the horse had dismounted and was securing his animal to a tree. + +He soon heard the sound of light footsteps proceeding over the grass, +and then he discovered the familiar form of Mr. Fabian approaching the +cottage. After the new comer had assured himself that the door was +fastened he advanced to the window near which Gottlieb had been standing +a moment before. Instead of spending time in useless watchfulness he +immediately tapped upon the window; but Magde slept so soundly that the +noise did not disturb her. + +Mr. Fabian flatted his nose against the window pane and suddenly +discovered the picture that Gottlieb had so much admired. Yet it was not +an expression of love which passed his lips as he gazed upon her. + +"Confound that woman!" he exclaimed, "she drives me mad, and I believe +she would look on, if I was parching with thirst in the torments of +hell, and not give me a single drop of water." + +He again tapped upon the pane so loudly, that a person less fatigued +than Magde would have awakened. At this moment Mr. Fabian was struck +with fear at his own temerity. + +"Only think," thought he, "suppose I should awaken some one else! What +if an account of this should come to my wife's ear!"--the thought was +terrible, and the guilty husband's knees trembled violently. So much did +he respect his "dear Ulgenie," that he felt it even at his present +distance from her, and perhaps he would have relinquished all his plans +in relation to his beautiful Magde, had he not discovered that the +window was fastened only with a small cord. + +To break off a small twig from a neighboring bush, and to thrust it +through the crevice of the window and remove the cord from the hook, was +the work of an instant, and before Gottlieb could fully understand the +nature of his uncle's movements he saw him suddenly disappear through +the window. + +Of course Magde was now awakened by the noise of Mr. Fabian's abrupt +entrance, and she quickly sprang from the chair. When she recognized the +intruder she was seized with a deathly fear; which was however but of +momentary continuance. With flashing eyes, and haughtily curling lips +she advanced towards him with a bearing so threatening that Mr. H---- +retreated in fear. + +"Why do you visit me at this hour?" she inquired. + +"I was unable to come earlier. I have been to see the justice and made +such arrangements that I think Mr. Lonner can be released as early as +to-morrow." + +"And to speak these words--undoubtedly well intended--you have crawled +through my window." + +"Upon my honor it was not my fault. I knocked several times, and not +wishing to go home without telling you this good news, which I thought +would cause you to sleep better--and observing you had not retired--I +seized the only opportunity remaining." + +"Well," replied she, "I do not think harm will result from your friendly +visit, but as it is out of the order of things that you should remain +here, I must request you to leave the room in the manner you entered, +and then I can converse with you through the window." + +"Cruel Magde!" exclaimed Mr. Fabian entreatingly, and even dared to +extend his hand towards her. But Magde repulsed him with a look of scorn +and anger. + +"Travel no further upon this crooked path, and call me Magde no longer, +I bear the name of my husband, and wish to be called by that title +alone." + +Gottlieb who could observe and overhear all that occurred, or was said +in Magde's chamber, could scarcely refrain from laughter as he saw his +good uncle retreating before the virtuous woman until he arrived at the +window from which he somewhat clumsily descended. Gottlieb was on the +point of rushing forward to receive his loved relative in his arms and +thus preventing him from injuring his precious limbs, when the sound of +Magde's voice prevented him from rendering this important service to his +uncle. + +"There, that will do," said she, "we can now converse without +inconvenience to either of us. I hope Mr. H---- has not hurt himself." + +"O, never mind me," replied he, "your heart is too hard to be moved at +my sufferings." + +"I wish to say a word to you, Mr. H----. Your labor is entirely thrown +away upon me. I can pity the folly of a man if his folly is not evil; +but--" + +"Am I evil? Try me," interrupted Mr. Fabian hastily. + +"I will," replied Magde. "If you will bind yourself to release my father +I shall ever be grateful for the service." + +"And nothing further?" + +"Nothing." + +"Then, at least give me your hand that I may with it wipe away the tears +that scald my eyes. I am a weak, a tender hearted man, and must weep +when I am scoffed at. But never mind, give me your hand, a moment." + +"It is impossible." + +"Give me but your little finger." + +In lieu of a reply, Magde endeavored to close the window; but her +admirer prevented her from doing so. + +"Ah!" exclaimed he furious at his defeat. "You wish to enjoy a boon, and +not reward the donor. Then listen, the old man shall remain where he +is. If I do not interest myself for him no one else will." + +"That remains to be seen. Mr. Gottlieb has returned--" + +"Ah! then, he has returned. Well, what can he do?" + +"Not much, my dear uncle," exclaimed Gottlieb advancing towards Mr. +Fabian, "except to give my dear aunt Ulrica, a full account of the +interesting conversation I have accidentally overheard." + +"Without replying Mr. Fabian stared a moment in bewildered surprise, at +the intruder, and then rushing wildly to his horse, he mounted and urged +the animal to a furious speed. + +"Well, well," exclaimed Magde, "we can well compare Mr. H---- to a hare. +But Mr. Gottlieb, whatever chance brought you here, do not bring sorrow +upon him, by speaking to his wife of this adventure." + +"Fear not, Mrs. Lonner, I have not been on the watch here to become an +informer; but as I heard certain things from Nanna to-day, and as I from +the first have suspected my uncle, and as I wished to have him in my +power--" + +"I understand you Mr. Gottlieb. You are an honest and faithful friend, +and we shall never forget--" + +"And I, Mrs. Lonner," interrupted Gottlieb, "I shall not forget this +valley I assure you, and now good night; in a short time everything will +be as it was before." + +"Thank you, a thousand times! When Ragnar returns, through God's +assistance we will repay you." + + * * * * * + +Gottlieb's heart bounded with joy, as he proceeded on his road towards +Almvik, but the heart of another traveller in the same direction was +oppressed with gloomy forebodings. It is almost unnecessary to say that +the latter traveller was Mr. Fabian H----. On his arrival at Almvik he +entered his wife's chamber trembling with anxiety, lest Gottlieb had +been there before him. + +"What is the matter with you?" inquired his wife, who had already +retired to her bed; "has the horse been balky, or have you met with an +accident?" + +"Nothing, nothing, darling Ulgenie; but my head has been heavy all the +afternoon." + +"That is caused by your excessive sleeping," said Mrs. Ulrica. + +"Perhaps it is. Hereafter I shall sleep less, and after this, my dear +wife, I will follow your advice in everything." + +"Then, my dear, you will be a good husband. If I should always find you +so, I would not have so many causes for complaint." + +"Have you any complaint to make now?" inquired Mr. Fabian, anxiously. + +Mr. Fabian was in a state of fearful suspense. The air to him appeared +populated with evil spirits. + +"I did not speak thus for the purpose of troubling you, dear Fabian, it +would not be just for me to choose this moment, when you feel so +repentant, to remind you of other moments when you do not seem impressed +with the worth of your wife." + +"Yes, yes, that would indeed be cruel, for it is true, really true, +that--that--" + +"What, Fabian, good Fabian?" + +"That I never before have so much esteemed and adored you, my dear, +dear--" He was unable to proceed. + +"Ah! Fabian, that is the true spirit. You at last understand how happy +you are." + +"Yes, as happy as the condemned sinner," sighed Fabian; but in such a +manner that his wife heard the first word only. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +THE FESTIVAL. + + +The next morning, when Gottlieb awoke, he discovered that he had a +visitor even at that early hour of the day. His uncle Fabian was pacing +backward and forward at the side of his nephew's bed, with a countenance +so wretched and woe begone, that Gottlieb could not but pity him. + +"Good morning, uncle," said Gottlieb, cheerfully, "how is your health?" + +"Why do you ask?" + +"Your voice sounds just as if I was a robber demanding your purse or +your life. What is the matter?" + +"That which you told me yesterday makes your comparison very apt." + +"You are mistaken. It is not my intention to play the part of the famous +Rinaldo Rinaldini. I am the most peaceable person in the world, and if +you wish to remain at peace at home--which is very natural, you know--I +have no desire to prevent you from doing so." + +"But, perhaps, you intend to demand from me three times the sum of money +necessary to fee a lawyer, to bribe you to secrecy." + +"Shame upon you. I have not demanded anything. I only expect--" + +"What?" inquired his uncle. + +"That you will of your own free will and accord loan me the money +necessary to pay old Mr. Lonner's fine. In a few months, when Ragnar +Lonner returns and repays me, I will settle with you. If he does not +repay me, why it is but a small sum to lose." + +"And what will you require for yourself?" inquired Mr. Fabian. + +"Shall I peddle out my secret like a Jew? I swear by my honor that I +will not divulge to my aunt one word of all that has passed." + +Mr. Fabian thrust his hand into his capacious pocket, and withdrawing +his purse, with a sigh counted the money into Gottlieb's hand. + +"I shall not give you my note for this, for if I am not repaid I do not +expect to repay you." + +His uncle did not immediately reply, but after opening and closing his +purse several times, he addressed his nephew in a tone which displayed +deep and true emotion. + +"Gottlieb," said he, "I am not miserly. You have spared me when you +might have prepared a place of torment for me. I am grateful. Have you +any debts? Your father is not rich." + +"That is spoken like a man of honor and a true relation," said Gottlieb, +warmly, "but fortunately I have always been obliged to live +economically, and therefore have escaped from falling into the foolish +habit of contracting debts." + +"Well, then, if you have no debts, you at least have a future to prepare +for. You must not therefore refuse my offer." + +"I do not wish to make use of it at present. Yet I do not wish you to +consider it refused entirely. At this moment I do not require anything, +unless indeed you wish to spare my feet and my boots, by giving me a +little money to pay my travelling expenses. When the time comes, and I +find myself fully engaged in my father's office, I will consider your +proposal with the greatest pleasure." + +"Do so, and I will have a good memory, I assure you." + +"One word more, uncle. You must promise me to trouble the worthy Mrs. +Lonner no longer. She will never submit to your desires." + +As he thus spoke, an ashy paleness o'erspread Mr. Fabian's countenance, +and with a shudder he glanced fearfully around the room. + +"O, the walls have no ears," said Gottlieb; "but uncle you will promise +me this, will you not." + +"Most assuredly," replied his uncle. "That woman has driven me almost +mad; but I think that last night's fright has entirely cured me. I shall +not go there again under any circumstances." + + * * * * * + +The songs of the birds of the valley were more melodious than ever +before, the perfume of the roses and lilacs were sweeter than formerly, +at least so thought the occupants of the little cottage when Gottlieb +visited them that afternoon. Certainly, however, the feast which was +given on that day had never been equalled before, except perhaps on the +day of the arrival of Ragnar after a long absence from his wife and +home. + +It was a splendid dinner--roasted spare ribs, and fish, and cakes. The +old man occupied the seat at the head of the table. Gottlieb, who had +provided this repast from the money he had received from his uncle for +travelling expenses, was seated beside Nanna. The children ate so +rapidly and heartily that it appeared as though they intended to swallow +a sufficient supply to last them for a year to come. Carl, wearing his +Sunday vest, a vest that Magde had made, and with a rose in his jacket +button-hole, a rose that Magde had plucked, was seated in his usual +place at the table, cheerful and contented. Magde attended almost solely +to the old man's wants, filling his plate, and replenishing his cup. And +lastly, little Christine, who trotted from place to place, taking care +of the cow, dog, sheep, goats, and the ancient cat, was as happy and +cheerful as the others. Altogether the scene was beautiful and +harmonious. + +"And for all this happiness," said the old man, looking tearfully upon +the youth, "for all this happiness, Mr. Gottlieb, next to God, we are +indebted to you. Happy must be the parents of such a son!" + +"Father Lonner," said Gottlieb glancing around the table, with a +friendly smile, "you have no reason to be envious." + +"That is true," replied the old man nodding his head pleasantly to the +circle of beloved ones. + +In the afternoon, after the old man had retired to his comfortable bed, +now doubly comfortable to him, to rest himself awhile, and Magde was +seated by his bedside pleasantly chatting with him, while Carl was busy +making little boats for the children, Nanna and Gottlieb were seated +near the spring beneath the tree, in the meadow. + +It could easily be believed that the young couple were not very +talkative, for Nanna was busily engaged in searching in the grass for a +four leaved clover, and Gottlieb was amusing himself, according to his +childish custom, by blowing shrill blasts upon a thick blade of grass. + +It was sunset. The glowing reflection of the sun fell upon Nanna's pale +neck and face, illumining them with a golden blush. + +"I am sorry," said Gottlieb, at length, throwing aside the blade of +grass, and assuming a serious cast of countenance, "I am sorry that our +lessons must have an end; but all is for the best, for, my child, you +know enough already." + +"More than enough," replied Nanna, softly. + +"Especially for a school teacher," said Gottlieb. + +"Yes, especially for a school teacher," repeated Nanna. + +"But you speak so abstractedly. You are not so lively as usual." + +"I did not know it; but if Gottlieb says so, it must be true. When one +has been so glad as I have been to-day, and then as sorrowful, it takes +much courage to meet the change indifferently." + +"But, dear Nanna, you were aware that I should be forced to go away +soon." + +"I did not know that you were going so soon as to-morrow morning." + +"Neither did I, myself, when I saw you yesterday; but when I determined +to go by the steamboat, you perceive that--" + +"Yes, yes." + +"And then again what difference will a day or two more or less make, +when we part--" + +"Never again to meet," interrupted Nanna. + +"You will do right in the meantime not to hope too much." + +Nanna glanced inquiringly towards Gottlieb. + +"Do you not think it strange, Nanna, that we who have been acquainted +but so short a season, should think so much of each other?" + +"It is perfectly natural that we should. Persons in fashionable society +cannot become so well acquainted with each other as we could in one +hour. At first we met each other every evening, then every morning and +evening, and at length--" + +"And at length morning, noon and night!" interrupted Gottlieb, with a +smile. "In truth, Nanna, you are right, for if our every meeting was so +divided that we should be together but once each week, our acquaintance +would have been prolonged for an entire year." + +"O, much longer than that even," said Nanna, joining in Gottlieb's +laugh. + +"And as we have remained by our agreement not to fall in love with each +other, we part as friends, and not in despair, and what is still better, +not with reproaches, which, had the case been different, we would have +been obliged to make and listen to." + +"Yes, it is fortunate, very fortunate, that--that--" stammered Nanna, +unable to finish the sentence. + +"We need not conceal from ourselves that in making that arrangement we +ran a great risk. For my part, I am not too proud to say that it has +been very difficult for me to keep it." + +"But Gottlieb," replied Nanna, "as you have kept it, it is better as it +is." + +"Certainly; but then it is not so good as I wish to have it." + +"How do you wish it to be then?" inquired Nanna innocently. + +"Upon my honor I can hardly say; but if I was placed in better +circumstances--" Nanna dropped her eyelids over their soft tell-tale +orbits; but not so quickly but that Gottlieb detected a ray of hope +gleaming from their deep wells. + +"Will you advise me what course to take, when I have obtained a +competency?" continued Gottlieb. + +"No, that would be of no use; but Mr. Gottlieb, when I hear that you +have wedded the rich wife of whom you have spoken, I will rejoice at +your good fortune." + +"And does not the thought of that rich wife cost you even half a sigh?" + +"Not if that wife will render you happy." + +"Nanna, you speak as though you did not love me at all!" exclaimed +Gottlieb hastily, forgetting entirely the part he had determined to play +during this interview. + +"And should I love you?" inquired Nanna blushing deeply. "I think I am +not such a foolish girl as that." + +"But I believe that you love me," replied Gottlieb. "Can you deny that +your heart is mine?" + +"I do not deny it; but I shall not allow it to be so," said Nanna with a +glance that immediately cooled Gottlieb's sudden ardor. "My heart is my +own, and should not be an object of trouble to you; and I assure you Mr. +Gottlieb that I shall not allow any weakness on my part to cause you to +break the judicious contract we have made." + +"Ah! Nanna, you are both wise and charitable. I shall not endeavor to +wrest the secret from you; but you are so much esteemed by me, that at +some future day, when I can follow my own inclinations I will return to +you." + +"I will forget these last words, Mr. Gottlieb, for I think them the +saddest you have ever uttered." + +"You are right; but I spoke as I thought. It is not my fault if I +thought that you were above all others most suitable to become my wife." + +As he thus spoke Nanna trembled violently and she looked upon him with +a gaze which contained more bitterness than words could have expressed. + +"I believe I am mad indeed. I have endeavored to speak in a better +spirit, and instead of so doing--I had better go immediately--or--" + +"Or what?" + +"Or I will, yes, I will, hold you to my heart, and swear to you, as true +as I am an honest man, that I love you, and you alone, come what may, I +can withhold myself no longer." Gottlieb suited the action to the word, +and enfolded the blushing girl in his warm embrace. + +"O, Gottlieb!" cried Nanna, weeping and laughing, "this is madness +indeed!" + +"No, on the contrary it is happiness!" + +"But to-morrow you will repent it!" + +"Never, Nanna, I sincerely believe that all is for the best. We can work +hard; we have only a few needs, and it is such happiness to love each +other." + +"But--" + +"You must accustom yourself to omit that disagreeable word. When my mind +is once made up, I permit of no _ifs_ nor _buts_. And as we do not +require a great amount of money to defray our little domestic expenses, +I think it would be wrong for us to waste the best part of our lives in +useless delay. After one year has elapsed, the parson shall unite us as +man and wife, and I shall take you from this valley, and we will look +forward to all the joys and sorrows, which our Heavenly Father in his +wisdom shall send us." + +Nanna, who for a long season had battled against the intoxicating desire +which had filled her heart, gradually assented to Gottlieb's words, and +the interview terminated with a second agreement, which was directly +contrary to the first one, for by it they bound themselves to love each +other forever. + +They agreed that this change from their former agreement should be +concealed from all others. They alone should know the secret. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +RAGNAR. + + +Autumn arrived. + +The valley was strewn with yellow leaves. The birds had ceased their +songs. The grass had withered. Rains and storms had discolored the +fountain. Yet, although Nature seemed to have been engaged in +contentious strife, still joy reigned supreme within the little cottage. +Ragnar, the beloved husband, the darling son, had returned. Seated in +the midst of his children beside his lovely wife, and with his arm +encircling her waist, he listened with a countenance changing from +cheerfulness to solemnity to a recital of all that had transpired during +his absence. + +As soon as Mr. Lonner, for he was the narrator, had concluded, Ragnar +advanced and enfolded the old man in his arms. + +"What viper did this? I have a strong suspicion--to cast such an old man +into prison--and I was away from you, unable to protect you and these +weak and deserted women." + +As he thus spoke, his countenance glowed with indignation. + +A slight cough at the other side of the room attracted Ragnar's +attention. It was Carl. + +"I understand you, Carl," said he, "you must pardon me. I forgot myself +when I said the women were deserted." + +And the frank and honest Ragnar, whose ruddy brown countenance bespoke +his health, advanced and extended his hand to Carl, who with a face as +sickly and yellow as the seared leaves without, was reclining upon the +sofa, watching the family group with a restless eye. + +Poor Carl, each day he gradually faded, and his belief in the warning +voice he had heard in the church yard became firm and unwavering. He +accepted Ragnar's proffered hand with a grateful smile. + +"How hot you are!" exclaimed Ragnar, "I will hasten to the village and +speak to the physician." + +As Ragnar thus spoke, Carl laughed in his peculiar manner. "That will be +profitable indeed!" said he. + +"Certainly it will, dear Carl," said Magde, approaching the sick youth, +"Ragnar is right." + +"Ragnar is always right," said Carl, in an unusually sharp tone, "so +long as you please him you do not care if you neglect my wishes." + +"What, Carl, do you not love your brother?" said Ragnar, in a tone of +reproach, at the same time pressing a kiss unobserved, as he thought, +upon his wife's lips. Ragnar always felt an inclination to conceal from +the observation of others the fact that he still loved his wife as he +had when he first wedded her, and therefore rarely caressed her when in +the presence of witnesses; but on this occasion, his affection was so +great that he could not resist the pleasure of stealing a kiss. + +"Is not the entire room large enough for you to kiss in without my +seeing you?" said Carl, harshly, "I do not wish you to do so right +before me." + +"Perhaps you envy me," said Ragnar, with a laugh. He had not given +Carl's expression a serious thought. + +Carl lifted himself upon his elbow, and gazing full in his brother's +eyes, he replied slowly and firmly, "Yes." + +"Why do you, Carl?" inquired Ragnar. + +"Because I do not wish any body to kiss Magde--is it not so, Magde? You +well know how I behaved myself when Mr. Fabian H---- wanted to buy a +kiss of you." + +"What! I believe the poor boy is mad! What! Buy a kiss of Magde! Poor +Carl!" + +"Am I speaking false, Magde? Answer me." + +"O, Carl, how strangely you tell your story!" exclaimed Magde, "you +ought first to have related how it happened, and--" + +Magde flushed and paled alternately, and in her excitement could +scarcely express herself. + +"Can there be any truth in this?" said Ragnar, and his eyes sparkled. + +Magde had now recovered her presence of mind, and related, without +concealing a single fact, all that had happened between herself and Mr. +Fabian. + +"I am now firmly convinced that this--this--no matter, that Mr. H---- +was the prime cause of our father's imprisonment." + +"He was," interrupted old Mr. Lonner. "I am as firmly convinced of it, +as I am that the young man of whom I have spoken was the cause of my +release. I wish you were acquainted with Mr. Gottlieb. He is a worthy +young man." + +"I will tell him so in the letter I shall write him; but what if he +entertained the same desire that influenced Mr. H----." + +"Fear not for me, at least," replied Magde, casting a roguish look +towards Nanna. + +"Ah! that is singular indeed; but after all Nanna will bear a pretty +close inspection--but I cannot drive that Mr. Fabian from my mind." + +"First you must tell us some of your adventures," and Magde's +countenance wore such an entreating expression that her husband +understood her immediately; and therefore as long as he remained in the +presence of his father, and his sister and brother, he continued +speaking of all the singular things he had seen and heard, which was +listened to by a pleased and expectant audience. + +At length the time arrived when the husband and wife were at liberty to +interchange their thoughts freely; the children had been nicely tucked +in their little beds, and Ragnar and Magde alone occupied their private +apartment. + +"Now, dear Magde, now you must give me a good kiss. God bless you for +this happy moment. After tossing six months upon the ocean, it is a joy +indeed to return to one's own home and wife." + +"Is it true indeed, dear Ragnar, that you love me now as you did when we +were married?" + +"Did you find no four-leaved clover last summer, that you ask me this +question?" + +Without replying, Magde hastily opened a clothes press, and produced an +old compass box, from which she took a handful of withered clover +leaves. + +"See here," said she. + +"And do these not convince you?" inquired Ragnar. + +In this old box, Magde preserved, so to speak, the tokens of her wedded +joys. From the first year of her marriage, she, whenever her husband +was absent, would seek in the meadow for four-leaved clovers, under the +conviction that so long as she continued to find them, she might rely +upon the continued love and fidelity of her husband. And she was +invariably successful, and each year she deposited the clover leaves in +the old compass box. As Ragnar uttered his last question, Magde cast +herself upon his breast, and gazed tenderly into his face. + +"O don't look at me too closely, to-morrow I will look better, after I +am washed and dressed," said Ragnar, arranging his shirt bosom, and +smoothing down his jacket collar. + +"You are so good already, that if you should be better it would be +dangerous; but Ragnar, you have forgotten to measure the children to see +how much they have grown since your departure. You used to do that as +soon as you entered the house after a return from a long voyage." + +"This time," replied Ragnar, "you greeted me with such strange news that +I quite forgot all my usual habits. It grieves me to observe that Carl +is upon the verge of the grave. True, he was ill last winter; but he +soon recovered." + +"He exerted himself too much during our troubles," said Magde, "then he +has taken no care of himself, and then--yes, yes, there is something +very strange about Carl." + +"What do you mean by strange, Magde?" inquired her husband. "Do you +think that he is really insane?" + +"Oh no, I did not mean that; but--" + +"Speak on, speak your mind." + +"Now, do not laugh at my fancy--or be vexed with poor Carl. I think +that--he loves me too much, and his passion has weighed heavily upon +him, although he does not, himself, understand it." + +"Your words are worthy of reflection, Magde; now I remember, his conduct +did appear peculiar when he said he envied me the privilege of kissing +you. Poor fellow, how could I be vexed with him? He, probably, never +desired to vex either you or myself." + +"Never. Frequently during the summer I have placed flowers in his room, +and in them he took his greatest delight. Even now he loves to hear me +sing to him, or to read a chapter in the Bible, above all other things." + +"Such love," said Ragnar, "is a beautiful rose, the perfume of which +cheers a drooping spirit. He may continue his love; it will sustain him +in his last trial. Hereafter, I will not even take your hand in his +presence." + +"How kind you are, dear Ragnar. Now I can be to him as I was before your +return." Magde wiped the tears from her long eyelashes, and before +Ragnar could question her, she continued: "You may depend upon my +fidelity. I only wish to afford him a slight ray of joy while he is +still on earth. Without me he stands alone." + +"Act your own pleasure, my dear Magde, you are aware that I confide in +you as in my own heart. Although I shall act gently towards Carl, who +with his own desire, would not injure me, still I will not be so +submissive with an individual like Mr. H----, who has conducted himself +most wrongfully." + +From these words Magde became aware that she would be obliged to relate +all that had occurred between Mr. Fabian and herself, and this she did +accordingly. + +She feared more from Ragnar's silence than she would if he had given +vent to his rage in words. Ragnar possessed a faculty of controlling his +anger by a silence which was much more impressive than furious speech. + +"Ah, then he entered your window, after he had first removed the old +man. Well, well, worse things have been done before." + +This was all he said; and as not only the following, but also the second +day passed, without Mr. Fabian's name being mentioned, Magde thought +that Ragnar had looked at the affair with sensible eyes. She even felt +somewhat annoyed at the thought that Mr. Fabian's punishment should be +so light. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +AN HOUR IN MISTRESS ULRICA'S CHAMBER. + + +Throughout the entire fall, Mr. Fabian had been his "sweet Ulgenie's" +humblest slave, and therefore had been trod deeper into the dust. Since +he had learned of the return of Ragnar Lonner, he had suffered a +feverish anxiety. Even his easy chair no longer afforded him rest, for +sleeping or waking, one object alone was constantly before his eyes: +Ragnar Lonner's wrathful countenance peering through the door. + +He was suddenly seized with as strong a desire for active life, as he +formerly possessed for easy rest, and he felt himself in no safety +except when at a distance from the mansion, for he knew that Ragnar +possessed too much honor to entrap him in an ambuscade. + +One morning, when he, as had been his custom for the previous week, went +to his wife with the information that he was compelled to take a short +journey, she sharply accosted him: + +"Man, what does all this restlessness mean? Are you insane? Am I always +to be left at home alone?" + +"Ah, my dear," replied Mr. Fabian, "you are aware that I must attend to +my business." + +"I know that not long since you found it difficult to take care of +yourself. This sudden change in your disposition will never do." + +"Dear Ulgenie, I acknowledge your superior judgment; but to-day I really +must attend the auction at Rorby, there is to be a sale of some genuine +Spanish sheep." + +"Ah! as that is really some business, you may go; but come home early." + +"I hope to return before eleven o'clock." + +Mrs. Ulrica presented him her hand to kiss, and after he had pressed it +to his lips with all the gallantry which was still left him, he quickly +turned away from her. + +Mrs. Ulrica during the entire day was filled with wonder at the sudden +change that had taken place in her husband, and if she could have for a +moment entertained such a thought, she would have believed that her +husband had become acquainted with some intriguing female. + +But among her female acquaintances in the neighborhood, there was not +one whom Fabian had not seen at least twenty times, and he had undergone +each new ordeal with a firmness which proved that he was out of all +danger. + +This point once settled, Mistress Ulrica was more composed, and after +having spent the day in attending to her domestic duties, she retired to +her bed at an early hour, for she always felt weary and ill-humored when +her Fabian, whom she really loved, was not at home to hear her tender +words and reproaches. + +About an hour had elapsed after Mrs. Ulrica had fallen asleep. The +servant also slept soundly, for, although she had been told to wait for +her master, she had satisfied her conscience by leaving the hall door +unlocked--contrary to her mistress' strict command--and then retired to +her bed. + +As before said, Mrs. Ulrica had been asleep about an hour, when she was +disturbed by a singular noise which resembled the shuffling of feet near +the bed. She opened one eye that she might warn her husband that one of +his first duties should be not to disturb his wife's slumbers. But the +warning produced no effect. This being the case, Mistress Ulrica found +it necessary to open the other eye, that by the aid of the night light +she might discover Fabian's true condition. + +She first glanced towards the sofa; it was empty. Then she looked +towards the easy chair; but as this stood partially in the shadow of the +large bed curtains, she was able only to perceive a pair of feet, and it +was these very feet that had the impertinence to shuffle in her room, +without asking her permission. + +"Fabian," she exclaimed, "are you not ashamed of yourself? What are you +doing?" + +But Fabian did not reply. + +"Ah, you foolish man, I see now that you have been made drunk, you could +not withstand their entreaties, poor man; please prepare for bed." + +And yet no answer. + +"He is as drunk as possible. Go to your own room, Fabian; be careful, do +not take a light with you, and do not fall down stairs and hurt +yourself. Are you going to move to-night? Shall I ring the bell for the +servants, that they may carry you to bed?" + +Not receiving a reply, Mrs. Ulrica tore aside the bed curtains, and +extending her hand, placed it upon a strange head of hair. + +"Heavens!" she exclaimed, "that is not my husband!" + +"What of that, it is the husband of another," replied a calm voice. + +Terror prevented Mrs. Ulrica from crying aloud. "A thief!" she gasped. + +"I do not think so," replied the voice. + +"Who are you then?" stammered she. + +"Sleep quietly, you shall not be disturbed." + +Mistress Ulrica continued to feel for the bell cord. "I believe," said +she, "he wishes to murder me when I am asleep." + +"Sleep quietly, I neither wish to steal nor to murder. I only wish to--" + +The unfortunate cramp, which at her first terror had attacked Mrs. +Ulrica's throat, now suddenly disappeared, and she emitted a long and +loud scream; but no sooner had this been accomplished, than a large +brawny hand was placed roughly over her mouth. + +"Please do that no more," said the voice, "or I shall be forced to be +troublesome, and do not look for the bell-rope, it would only be +disagreeable for you if the servants should enter the room now." + +"What do you want then, fearful man?" + +"To remain where I am. At present I want nothing further." + +Suddenly a new light dawned in Mrs. Ulrica's brain. What if he should be +an unfortunate suitor for her love. + +"How?" said she, forcing all her pride and dignity into her words, "how? +remain here? Sir, this is my bed-room." + +"I am aware of the fact." + +"And here no man has a right to enter except my husband." + +"And myself," added the voice. + +At this unexpected reply, the lady summoned courage to examine the +unabashed visitor more closely. He was an elegantly formed man, and as +he gazed at her with his expressive eyes, interest and repugnance were +both created within her heart. The repugnance was caused by the fact +that the man wore a blue frieze coat, which unfortunate garment at once +dispelled her romantic dreams. + +"Will you explain the cause of this unheard of impertinence?" + +"That cause will very soon arrive." + +"Very soon? You did not seek me then?" + +"Not precisely." + +"Then probably you wish to see my husband?" + +"Yes." + +"Am I at all concerned, then?" + +"Slightly." + +"Ah!" exclaimed Mrs. Ulrica, who now remembered her strange visitor's +first observation, "there must be a mystery about this which I do not +understand. You remarked that you were the husband of another." + +"True." + +"And furthermore you said you had a right to seek my husband in this +room?" + +"You certainly know your alphabet." + +"Then you have--O, what will become of us!--you have--a demand to make +of my husband." + +"No, he has a claim on me, and this I will pay back, principal and +interest." + +"O, the monster! The crocodile! He has been untrue to me." + +"Yes, both in heart and desire; but my wife is not one who cries out, or +attempts to pull the bell-rope. She commands respect without so much +trouble." + +"And do I not, also?" + +"I do not know what you would do, if you should see a man, at this time +of night, crawl through your window, and attempt to bring you to +disgrace by the promise that he would release an old father from prison; +but I do know you have nothing to fear at present." + +"You are then Mr. Ragnar Lonner?" + +"I am." + +"And for such a miserable reward--that woman--" + +"What! Miserable reward!--that woman!--Well, that night lamp is not very +brilliant, but I can easily perceive that I have before me an old dutch +galleon, so badly rigged and managed, that I would prefer to crowd sail +and make my escape rather than to take her in tow. And you call my wife +that woman! Miserable reward!" + +"I do not understand your gibberish, my good man: but that you are +unrefined and uneducated I can easily see, and I command you to quit my +room immediately." + +"You would then force me to retreat, as my Magde drove back your +husband. Please try the experiment." + +"Monster! Unfeeling wretch!" exclaimed she, "is this the manner to speak +to a lady, to an injured wife who is obliged to bemoan the infidelity of +her husband. O, the villain! I will overpower him with my wrath!" + +"My turn comes first," interrupted Ragnar. + +"Ah, ha, I understand. My cup is filled to the brim--blood must +flow--Lonner do you wish to kill my husband, then?" + +"To fight with him. God forbid. Such things I leave to people of rank. I +have another method of doing my business." + +"And what is that?" + +"O, it is very simple. I thought that nothing would be more unpleasant +to him than to be placed in a disgraceful position before his wife, and +perhaps a greater punishment for such a miserable man could not be +devised than to--but no matter, your husband knows why he leaves his +house every day." + +Mrs. Ulrica clapped her hands together violently. Now the riddle was +solved. She now knew the cause of the sudden change in her husband's +conduct. + +"And, as it has been impossible to find him at home in the daytime," +continued Ragnar, "I have come this evening to settle with him in this +place, and at this hour." + +Ragnar had scarcely ceased speaking, when heavy and slow footsteps were +heard ascending the stairs. + +Like an infuriated tigress waiting for her prey, Mrs. Ulrica, enveloped +in her crimson shawl, sat up in her bed; her eyes flashing with rage, +and her face flushed to a redness which outvied the crimson of her +shawl. She was awaiting the approach of her husband. + +Ragnar arose, and as silent and unmoved as a statue awaited the entrance +of Mr. Fabian. Ragnar had not produced a dagger or sword; but he drew +forth from under his loose jacket a cow-hide of the greatest elasticity, +and the best quality. + +Without dreaming of the terrible storm that had gathered, and was about +to pour down upon his devoted head, Mr. Fabian entered the apartment. +But the moment his eyes fell upon the forms of his wife, the doom +pronouncer, and Lonner the genius of revenge, he staggered back towards +the door, and had not his legs refused their office he would have sought +safety in flight; but at two stern glances, one from Lonner, the other +from his wife, he sank powerless to the floor. + +And yet, if ever, this was the time for him to assume the character of +Brutus. And what better cause had he to arouse himself from his stupor, +than that Lucretia had received a male visitor in her bed-chamber. True, +Mrs. Ulrica had not received an insult, neither did she appear prepared +sacrifice herself, like Lucretia, as an atonement for the outrage. All +in all, present appearances were well calculated to arouse sterner +sentiments within Mr. Fabian's heart; but he was so frightened that he +would have forgiven everything if he could have assured himself that the +horrible spectacle was but a dream which would vanish at the coming of +the morning. + +"Perjured traitor!" screamed Mrs. Ulrica, "you hide yourself like Adam +after his fall. But come forth, this Lucifer will teach you that you no +longer dwell in paradise." + +"Mr. Lonner," stammered Mr. Fabian, "I am an innocent, unhappy man, and +I swear to you that Mrs. Magde has never--" + +As he heard these words Ragnar trembled violently. + +"Silence, reprobate," said he, "the name of my virtuous wife shall not +pass your lips. She needs none of your recommendations; but _your_ wife, +you pitiful coward, she shall learn from me, now, what your true +character is." + +Thus saying Lonner with one hand seized the unlucky Fabian by the +coat-collar, and brandished the horse-whip over his head with the other. + +But as Mr. Fabian made no resistance, but wept and begged for mercy in +loud and wailing tones, Ragnar released him, and, confused at the +singularity of his own sentiments, he glanced towards Mrs. Ulrica, and +said: + +"He is so cowardly, that it seems almost as bad to whip him, as it +would be to beat a hare. In giving him over to you I am fully revenged." + +The cow-hide disappeared beneath his coat, and Lonner departed. + +But Ragnar Lonner had made a miscalculation, when he thought that Mr. +Fabian would fall into the hands of the Medusa within the bed-curtains. +The very thought of the humiliation he had undergone, and the fear of +what was yet in store for him, inspired Mr. Fabian with an unusual +degree of courage or rather drove him to desperation. + +Brutus aroused himself. He could see no other method of escape than by +crushing the tigress before she pounced upon him. He therefore at once +attacked her with passionate actions and wild expressions. + +"O, you miserable woman! You faithless wife! Do you think that I shall +allow myself to be blinded by the farce you have just played with your +lover? I will leave you alone in your house. I cast you from my heart. +The whole world shall know you as I know you now." + +"Fabian! Fabian! are you mad?" + +Mistress Ulrica was both frightened and pleased. This was a scene she +had long desired. + +"If I am mad, who has driven me to madness?" shouted Mr. Fabian, +determined to retain the advantage he had already won. Then assuming an +imposing position he gazed sternly into the face of his trembling wife. +"How long I have closed my eyes to your little indiscretions! How many +bitter tears I have shed, when I observed how you encouraged that shark +who made love to my wife while he feasted at my table." + +Mistress Ulrica, who was suddenly changed from a tigress into a lamb, +assured her husband that she was innocent; that she had not even +entertained a guilty thought. But as she humbled herself, Mr. Fabian's +wrath increased, and astonished that he had not long before discovered +this method of taming his wife, he played the tyrant _con amore_. He +accused his wife of so many things, that she, humiliated and crushed, +fell on her knees before him, and entreated him to restrain his rage +until he had ample proofs of her guilt. This boon Mr. Fabian H---- +finally condescendingly granted, and like an indulgent pascha, entreated +by his favorite slave, he at length permitted her to slumber at his +side. + +This entire change of government was effected in the short space of one +hour. + +The sun was high in the heavens when Mistress Ulrica awoke. At first she +could not distinctly remember the drama which had been performed the +preceding night; but when all the events were brought clear to her mind, +she sighed deeply. Her destiny was entirely changed; but after a few +moments' reflection, she determined to submit to her fate, and become +the one who should obey, not command. + +While she was meditating in what manner she should refute the charges +brought against her by her husband, she was interrupted by a truly soft +and persuasive voice, which said:-- + +"Sweet Ulgenie, dearest wife, can your heart be touched? I dreamed last +night that I might dare approach it." + +"Oh, so you have noticed me," said Mrs. Ulrica, immediately assuming her +former authority, when she found herself thus entreated. "Have you slept +out your debauch?" + +"Was I--is it possible that I was inebriated? I have quite forgotten +what happened last night." + +"You fool, when were you able to remember anything unless _I_ reminded +you?" + +The perusal of a continuance of this scene will scarcely repay our +readers. Suffice it to say that Mr. Fabian's reign of one hour remained +thereafter a legend only. Like all other unsuccessful revolutions, it +was followed by a government still more exacting and severe. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +CARL. + + +Winter had departed. Ragnar, the bold seaman, had left his home, and his +ship was ploughing the broad ocean. The grass in the valley waved +gracefully in the light winds of spring. The children once more launched +their miniature boats, and the occupants of the cottage all labored for +the good of the little commonwealth. + +But there was one of the family who could not mingle in their labors, +and who sat quietly in his corner, gazing cheerfully upon the operations +of the others. It was Carl. + +During the winter Carl had been confined to his bed, but at the present +time he occupied his father's arm-chair, which the old man had +relinquished to him. He usually sat in a corner near Magde's spinning +wheel and his father's bed-room door. + +When the children returned from their out of doors sports, they would +sit on the floor near Carl's chair, and listen to the many tales of +fairies, nymphs, and sea gods, that he told them in a pleasant but weak +voice, while he as formerly made willow whistles and repaired their +little boats. + +The neighbors' children also visited the cottage that they might hear +his last stories, and they all brought with them many little gifts that +their mothers had prepared for poor Carl. At a later period the mothers +came themselves, bringing their own presents, which they carried in +large baskets, for there was not one in the entire neighborhood for whom +Carl had not performed a service, and without a solitary exception they +all loved him. + +Then who was to take his place, after he should be taken from his +friends. In fact perfect pilgrimages were made to Carl, who always +received the pilgrims with pleasant words and cheerful smiles. Carl was +not insensible to the pleasure he derived from being able in turn to +present to Magde the gifts he received from his friends. + +"Ah," Nanna often said, "how pleasant it is to be beloved," and she +would sigh as she thought of the absent one who had vowed to love her +forever, and whose word was her creed of life. How much happiness Nanna +derived from this creed! It solaced her in many lonely hours, and +produced a favorable effect upon her every action and thought. She no +longer was oppressed, as formerly, with dreaming indolence. Her cheeks +were roses now. + +Old Mr. Lonner and Magde were much gratified at this unexpected change +in Nanna's deportment, and they could account for it only by supposing +that she was much wiser than other girls of her age. + +Carl, however, had peculiar views upon this subject, and when Nanna +would exclaim, "O, how pleasant it is to be beloved!" he would reply: + +"You know right well that there is some one who loves you, or else you +would not be so light hearted." + +When Carl thus spoke Nanna would blush with confusion. + +"You must not speak so when any one can hear you," she would reply. + +Carl would then nod his head pleasantly, and one day he learned the +secret, for he felt he could not remain long on this earth, and he +wished to know all, and aside from that Nanna was anxious to discover +whether he believed as firmly as she did in Gottlieb's vows. + +"Do you think, Carl," said she, as she concluded her recital, "do you +think he will return?" + +"As certainly as I shall never see the sun rise on St. John's day, for +I saw that in his eye, which assured me he would not break his +promises." + +"Why do you use such an ominous comparison, Carl? Why do you think you +will not see the sunrise on St. John's day?" + +The pain caused by the beginning of Carl's remark, clouded the pure joy +which his concluding words would have otherwise created. + +"I am waiting," said he, "only that I may see the lilacs bloom once +more. In those beautiful flowers I have found my greatest joy." + +Old Mr. Lonner occasionally attempted to prepare his son's mind for the +future which awaited him; but he ceased when one day Carl innocently +addressed him: + +"Father," said he, "I wish you would not talk with me thus. I believe in +our Saviour and his love for us sinners, and as I do not think I have +done much harm--except perhaps when I stole the game--I fear not for the +future. I shall wait patiently until my Saviour chooses to take me to +himself. I can well imagine that there is not much space in heaven; but +I believe that there is a small place for one so insignificant as me, +where I can wait the coming of Magde, Nanna, Father, Ragnar, and all the +little ones, that is if they do not hold me in contempt." + +"How strangely you talk, dear Carl!" said Magde, entering into the +conversation. "You well know that I would like to be near you in +heaven, for you are aware that next to Ragnar I love you more than any +other being on earth." + +"You say so only to make me happy; but I am not so vain as to believe +your words." + +"Is there any one here who displays more love for you than I?" inquired +Magde. + +Carl smiled, and glanced at the wall. There hung a new vest, the pattern +of which Carl examined as carefully as though each thread had been a +painting in itself. + +"Do you think," said he, after a pause, during which his father left the +room, "do you think that Ragnar is vexed with me? He certainly must have +observed that I love you more than, perhaps, I should--I speak frankly +to you, Magde, for I know you are different from others, and I could not +die in peace if I thought that my brother Ragnar was offended with me." + +"Be convinced, my dear Carl, that Ragnar loves you as a brother should. +He saw undoubtedly that no one could please you so well as I; but he +often told me, and especially before his last departure--" + +"What did he say?" inquired Carl, eagerly. + +"'Magde,' said he, 'never desert Carl. He is an honest and faithful +soul, who can find no joy unless with you; but Carl is not the one who +would seek to injure me by word or thought, and therefore I shall not +interfere with his sentiments, but allow him to entertain them freely, +and,' he added, 'you may tell him this at some future time when he may +feel troubled on my account.'" + +"Did he speak thus, assuredly?" + +"He did, I swear it by my hopes of meeting him again." + +"And you have obeyed him, and not deserted me; but will you do so as +long as I am with you here?" + +"Never shall I desert you, Carl." + +"And when the last moment approaches," said he in a soft tone, "you will +moisten my lips, you will smooth my pillow, and when the struggle of +death comes upon me, I wish you to hold my hand in yours, as you now do, +that I may feel that you are with me. Then you must--will you do so, +Magde?--close my eyes with your own hands, and sing a psalm to me." + +To all these touching requests, which were rendered still more affecting +by the tender expression of his eyes, Magde replied tearfully: + +"My dear Carl, your words shall be obeyed." + +Carl smiled. He was now happier at the thought of his approaching death, +which would bring such proofs of Magde's affection, than one who might +have possessed a prospect of a long and luxurious life. + +The lilac bushes blossomed, and Magde placed the first flowers in his +hands while he yet could inhale their fragrance. The last flowers she +strewed upon his grave. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +CONCLUSION. + + +A long season of gloom and despondency succeeded the death of Carl. + +It was fortunate that Ragnar returned home at an earlier period than +usually; the flowers on Carl's grave had not withered when Magde piously +conducted him to his brother's final resting-place. + +"Rest in peace, poor brother," said Ragnar, brushing away a tear, "God +saw best to take you from us--but, dear Magde, you must not grieve too +much for his death, or you will not be able to rejoice at the news I +have for you." + +"What news, Ragnar?" + +"Captain Hanson, who has been master of the brig Sarah Christiana ever +since I have been her mate, has latterly become very much reduced in +health, and he has concluded not to go to sea again." + +"Well, that cannot be joyful news. He was a better captain than perhaps +you will ever sail under again." + +"I shall never sail under another captain. I shall be captain myself, +hereafter. The owners of the vessel have tendered the captaincy to me." + +"Is it possible?" + +"It will soon be more than possible, for my old captain has so well +recommended me, that Mr. Lund has advanced me a sufficient sum of money +to pay the charges of my examination, and as soon as Christmas is +over--for until then I shall study at home--I will take a journey to +prepare myself, and after the examination you will be the wife of a +captain. Then you and Nanna can go with me to Goteborg, that you may see +the vessel before I go to sea." + +Magde quietly clasped her hands. Her pious gratitude was evinced in her +every expression. She thanked her God for having thus favored them with +fortune. + +Ragnar silently embraced her. "I did not say anything about it +yesterday, for I wished to tell you here near Carl, who always placed +his pleasures aside that they might not interfere with yours." + +"Bless you, bless you, Ragnar! I now know why I found so many four +leaved clovers last summer--only think, a captain's wife!--and still you +love me as before?" + +"Now and forever, my Magde. You shall have a bonnet as magnificent as +any other lady; you shall have a cashmere shawl, and a black silk dress. +Yes, I promise you all this, and more." + +"Let us return home quickly, that I may rejoice father and Nanna." + +And Nanna and her father were as much rejoiced at the glad tidings as +was Magde herself. + +A few days afterwards, Magde and her father were seated together in the +parlor consulting about the future. + +"The Lord thus distributes joys and sorrows. One year ago our prospects +were much different." + +"Have I forgotten that time? No! And if I should live a hundred years, I +would never forget the day you were taken from us to prison, nor the day +you were released by Mr. Gottlieb. This year Ragnar must send him the +balance still due him." + +"We can repay him the money; but we can never reward him for his +kindness and love. He has not returned to Almvik, and perhaps it is for +the best, and as Nanna under any circumstance--" + +The old man was suddenly interrupted by a shrill blast from the outside, +which blast was produced by some one blowing upon a blade of grass. + +"Well, well," exclaimed Magde glancing through the window, and then +rushing to the door, "the old proverb is true, 'talk of--'" + +"A certain gentleman and he is here," interrupted Gottlieb, entering the +door with his face beaming with his usual cheerfulness. He presented one +hand to Magde, and the other to old Mr. Lonner, who exclaimed with +glistening eyes: + +"Welcome, welcome, Mr. Gottlieb. Ragnar intended to write you to-day, +and I just told Magde we are able to discharge one part of our debt, but +the other can never be repaid." + +"Enough, enough, good father Lonner, I too was influenced by a selfish +motive--but pardon me, where is Nanna?" + +"She has gone to fish with Ragnar and little Conrad," said Magde, who +had already manufactured an urn of coffee, "but they will soon return." + +"Aha! is Mate Lonner at home. Then I can become acquainted with him." + +"_Captain_ Lonner, next spring at least, Mr. Gottlieb," said Magde, +proudly. + +"Crown Secretary, now, instead of Mr. Gottlieb, if you please, Mrs. +Lonner." + +"So soon?" + +"Yes, eight days ago I received the appointment; but my _great_ fortune +will come next spring, for then I hope to have a little house of my +own." + +"Yes, and perhaps a housekeeper too," added Magde. + +"Possibly." + +At this reply Magde cast a secret glance towards her father, which he +returned. Gottlieb, however, changed the conversation, and commenced +speaking of the death of poor Carl of which he had before been informed. +During the next half hour, Gottlieb evinced the utmost impatience. He +would walk to the window and gaze anxiously towards the lake, not +observing that Magde and her father were exchanging significant glances +and smiles behind his back. + +At length he spied the boat, and he hastened down to the beach. The +skiff contained the brother and sister, and their little companion. + +A sympathetic sentiment seemed to have pervaded the entire family, for +during their excursion Nanna and Ragnar conversed almost entirely about +her young friend Gottlieb. So nicely had Ragnar probed his sister's +heart that he knew almost as much about its true condition as Carl had +previously learned. Although Ragnar would have desired to have believed +as Carl did, he did not think it proper to offer Nanna any further +consolation, than by saying that since he had received a captaincy she +was placed on a more equal footing with Gottlieb and that he would do +everything in his power to render her happy. + +"I know you will, Ragnar," replied Nanna, "but only one thing can ever +afford me happiness." + +After these words the conversation ceased, and the brother and sister +commenced their homeward ride. + +In his great haste Gottlieb nearly ran into the water, in which Ragnar +was standing fastening the boat; but so much was he astonished by the +marvellous change which taken place in Nanna's appearance that he was +forced to start back and gaze silently upon her. Nanna in the meantime +appeared abstracted. She had not observed Gottlieb's approach; but sat +in the boat slowly moving one of the oars, apparently in the deepest +thought. + +But how can we describe Nanna's joyful surprise when she discovered +Gottlieb. Ragnar's presence prevented her from giving vent to her joy in +words; but the joyful expression of her eyes was a more than sufficient +welcome. + +We will not describe the first interview between Ragnar and +Gottlieb--suffice it to say it was the meeting of two brothers; not of +two strangers. Neither will we describe the first hour of _mutual_ +congratulations; but we will at once draw the reader's attention to a +pleasing picture near the fountain in the meadow. Here the two lovers +had proceeded that they might confer with each other uninterrupted. + +"You see, my little nymph, I have come back. Do you think that I have an +honorable spirit and a true heart? Now tell me, have you grown so +beautiful, for me; yes so beautiful that I can well be proud of you as +my own little wife?" + +"Wife! are you then serious?" + +"Serious we shall never be, we will make a third agreement, which is +that we shall live henceforth without a gloomy thought or serious +foreboding. Although we shall marry, as it is said, for 'love in a +cottage,' yet we are both so familiar with the reality of the cottage, +that our romantic dreams, if we have any, will be fully realized." + +"True, very true," said Nanna smiling, and her countenance radiant with +joy, appeared still more beautiful, "and now I am--" + +"--Betrothed," said Gottlieb joyfully embracing her. + +How happy were the inmates of the little cottage that evening! + + * * * * * + +When the news of Gottlieb's betrothal reached Almvik, Mrs. Ulrica +foretold that nothing but evil would result from the wedding. + +Mr. Fabian, however, who secretly esteemed Gottlieb, was silent; but +afterwards when the young couple were firmly united he would hold them +up as examples and say that some men could be happy with a wife who did +not possess riches and station. + +"But that," insisted Mrs. Ulrica, "is no reason why a poor man should +not know to prize the happiness which a wealthy wife could procure for +him." + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Home in the Valley, by Emilie F. 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