fused to accept the blond, because "it did not suit me exactly." I should get some myself, such as I wanted. Quietly my stepmother went with the despised gift into her room again; and on Selma following her a moment after, I espied her through the opened door standing in a leaning posture at the window, quietly and sorrowfully looking out, and I fancied I saw tears on her cheeks.

The sight of this penetrated my very heart; with secret self-upbraiding for my conduct, I repaired to my room, there to sit in judgment on myself in silence.

But I could scarcely recognise my own room, so altered was its appearance, so greatly was it improved; for a moment I could scarcely tell where I was. Among several beautiful new articles of furniture there was one most attractive of all—namely, a most elegant mahogany book-case, through whose bright plate-glass windows a number of books in splendid bindings met my view, as it were, with a smile; and from the top a Minerva's head of bronze looked down majestically.

At the exclamation of gladsome surprise that escaped me, I heard behind me a half-snuffing, half-tittering tone; and on turning round, I saw my good-natured maid coming from a window niche, where she could no longer conceal her sympathy with my agreeable surprise.

"Her Grace has had all this in contemplation long ago," she related in the fullness of her heart; "and the Chamberlain himself ordered the book-case to be carried up here, and with Fräulein Selma, put every thing in order, as you see it, shortly before dinner."

A revolution now took place within me. I now saw the object of all these secret consultations, these tele

graphic signs, these plots, which I fancied were aimed at my liberty, before me. And after all, it appears they had solely been directed to my comfort and gratification. Perhaps it was the thought of this surprise which had put my stepmother in such an excellent humour! I fancied I felt her embrace, and her breath on my cheek again. And I-how had I demeaned myself towards her!-suspiciously, distrustfully I had slighted her, and brought tears to her eyes!

With the rapidity of lightning I darted down to my stepmother, and here

I have a dangerous kind of temper. When my feelings have been frozen, and then suddenly thawed by a sunbeam or dew-drop of life, I then generally become inundated by them as by a spring-tide, and am ready to deluge the whole world with them. In fact, there exists no human being whom I could not then press to my heart; and for those who are dear to me I have but one feeling, one craving desire-namely, to give them all I possess, myself included.

Seneca and Cicero, and Hegel and Schlegel, and the precepts of all the sages of the world respecting selfgovernment and serenity, and the propriety of moderation, are, at such seasons, only like oil on a waterfall. Manifold experience has, it is true, taught me in some measure to stem the rushing current; but at certain periods it gains the ascendency, and this happened to be one of them. Indeed, I was deeply moved by the kindness of my stepmother, and with such contrition for my own conduct, that if at this moment she had asked me to bestow my hand on the Chamberlain, I believe I should have done it. But, thanks to my lucky stars! she did not think of this, and I could

taste undisturbed all the sweetness of life, which diffused itself where human hearts overflowed with cordiality and affection.

Silently have I vowed by Minerva's head never again to torment my stepmother and myself with unnecessary suspicion. I feel my heart lighter by a ship's load. I hear Selma singing merrily. God bless the singing bird! her melodies generally resound in festive celebration of the sunny hours of home. Herein she resembles the singing birds of Sweden, that-as Nelson describes in his Fanna-"sing most charmingly after a gentle summer shower."

January 28th.

Continued rapturous delight on my part at the bookcase, &c. Increasing contentment and satisfaction of my stepmother. Light reflected on the fate of Europe by my stepmother and myself. Great traffic with the Counsellor-esses of Commerce; in betrothing, marrying, and dispatching people;-in short, in labouring at the progress of the world. Amid all this secret vexation of spirit, I have not seen the Viking for several days. He might, at least, and at all events, have come and announced his betrothal to his friend.

January 29th.

Walked out to-day. Met the Viking, who expressed his displeasure and vexation at never finding me at home, and although I had been at home, I would not receive him. I grew rather vexed at this, and responded with a frosty air, at which Brenner briefly and coldly left me. Well, well!

"I care for nobody, no not I,

If nobody cares for me."

Thank heaven! I can still continue singing thus. And so, indeed, I mean always to be able to sing. I will have no unnecessary vexation. I have had enough of it in my life, and have been a sufferer from excessive warmth of feeling. I will have no more of it now. And therefore I mean to be cold and immoveable as the marble statues which we purpose inspecting by candlelight this evening in the sculpture gallery.

Eleven o'clock in the Evening.

But when among cold marble figures and the pale light of wax tapers, we behold a living, warm radiant human eye resting on us with the power of gentle sunshinewho then can prevent the heart turning warm and soft, and even the gallery itself being transformed into a temple of the sun? Such was the case with me, when in the Niobe Gallery amid groups of Roman Emperors and Caryatides, I discovered the Viking. On meeting his look, I involuntarily extended my hand, and felt at the same instant his warm, faithful, tenacious grasp. Oh, we must after all continue friends!

Brenner, however, did not join us. He seemed to have taken upon himself the office of protecting two ladies, of whom one was young and very pretty. "Perhaps she is his bride," thought I. But I gave up this opinion, when again and again I saw his eye between the marble statues directed to me, with an expression that did my heart good. This rencounter of glances, the sense of deep sympathy, with a warm and

noble heart, rendered my promenade through the marble hall, leaning on the arm of the Chamberlain, peculiarly and singularly agreeable. I felt my heart beat with a full, although tranquil, life, amid these insensate statues, amid these perhaps still more insensate crowds of people who, in elegant dresses, filled the gallery, more occupied-as it appeared to me-with the beautiful toilets, with the Queen and the court (then likewise present), than with the masterpieces of art. But why should I censure this? Indeed I myself thought

more of mankind than of the statues.

Lennartson gave his arm to my stepmother, and directed his words and observations chiefly to Selma, who looked beautiful but pensive; while Flora, resting on the arm of her brother, and with a sort of feverish exertion, appeared anxious to engage the attention of all around her by the charms of her person and the sallies of her wit. St. Orme, Baron Alexander, and several other gentlemen followed her with applause and admiration. She was very well dressed and looked beautiful.

In the so-called Sergel's room my attention was enchained by three different models, pertaining to the group of "Cupid and Psyche," the production of this artist, forasmuch as in them we distinctly discover the labours of the mind in obtaining a clear comprehension of its own creative ideas, and to catch the spirit it desires to express. In the first model, the figures are lumpy, coarse, heavy, spiritless, and like Egyptian marks they are united with each other in a block-like unity. In the second model they have received animation and motion, but they are destitute of harmony, beauty, and higher unity, which they do not gain until