stepmother suddenly made a motion to rise, though the dessert had not been touched, we all cheerfully followed her example.

St. Orme soon recovered himself: he was shortly after heard laughing and jesting with the Chamberlain; but the tones of mirth from him sounded unnatural, He then left the company, casting a malicious poisonous look at Lennartson.

After our guests had withdrawn, we were all highly disconcerted. I endeavoured to attract my stepmother's attention by some 66 question of the day," but it did not succeed.

Better success, however, attended the Ladies of Commerce, who came laden with news, and as eager to communicate as we were to hear. It related chiefly to the Rutschenfelt party, and the confusion and misery which the fugitives had left behind them. The causes also of the ruin of these young men were likewise spoken of; and among these injudicious parents, bad examples, and want of vigilant care in youth.

With all these sad stories, Madame and Mademoiselle P helped us to get over the long evening.

During this interval two messengers had been dispatched to inquire after Felix, but had not found him at home.

On separating for the night, Selma and I, as we were frequently wont to do, remained yet awhile among the pictures in the inner apartment, contemplating them by the soft light of the lamp. Selma stood a long time before a picture, after Guido Reni, which represents St. Michael, who with the flames of wrath in his divinely beautiful countenance, sets his foot upon the breast of Satan, and pierces him with his lance.

66

Why does my Selma gaze so long at this picture?" asked I, joining her. "There is a something very

awful about it."

"But something very grand also," replied she. "It is easy to understand what holy indignation is. Look at St. Michael's countenance ! Tell me, does it not remind one of-does it not resemble ..

Selma checked herself, and blushed in confusion.

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'Lennartson, you mean, as we saw him this evening," said I, finishing the sentence; and Selma's looks told me that I had expressed her thoughts.

At that moment we were interrupted by some one who opened the door leading from the saloon.

It was

the figure of a man wrapped in a wide mantle, which on his entering he dropped, and we recognised Felix Delphin.

But oh, how altered he was ! His pale, disfigured countenance wore scarcely a trait of its former beauty. "Selma," said he, in a hoarse, agitated voice, “do not be afraid of me. I only wish to say farewell to you before I . . . .”

"Before what, Felix?"

"Before I leave you and Sweden for ever. Oh, Selma, I wished to see you once more, to entreat you to think of me, and to pray for me when I am far away from you."

"Felix, why must you go away?"

"Because I am-ruined, ruined by my weakness, my folly! Fortune, health, honour-all are lost; I cannot, I will not here survive my disgrace."

"But is there no remedy? Cannot Lennartson-" "No; once before he rescued me from the hands of the usurer. I then gave him my word of honour never

P

to fall into such again; but this I have broken. I would rather die than meet his look."

"But I and Flora, we are your nearest relatives, and not without some valuables."

"Hush, good angel! I am not sunk deep enough yet to accept favours of . . . . Besides, of what use would it be? Oh, Selma! all matters between us must now have an end. Here, take back your ring; I am not worthy of you. Crave Lennartson's pardon for me. Remember me to Flora. May she be worthy of him. And you, good angel-heaven bless you! Farewell!" He kissed the hem of her dress, and was on the point of rushing out of the room, when he was prevented by a man who intercepted his way, seized him the arm, exclaiming, with sternness :

y

"Where are you going to, Felix?"

It was Lennartson. Felix gasped for breath; the next moment he made a violent effort to tear himself away and to escape. But the Baron held him in the grasp of his powerful hand, and said, in a serious tone of voice:

"Be quiet, young man! No nonsense! Do you wish to make yourself a spectacle to the people outside. Besides this will avail you nothing. You must follow me!"

"You will dishonour me," stammered Felix, pale with impotent rage.

"You will dishonour yourself, but I will save you even in spite of your own will," said Lennartson.

"It is too late," exclaimed Felix.

"It is not too late," answered Lennartson. "I know all about you, and I promise to extricate you; but I demand one thing on your part, and that is-that at

this moment you bind yourself entirely and unreservedly to take no step without my knowledge, but obey me in all things. My first injunction, then, is that you now very quietly follow me to my carriage, which is waiting at the door."

Lennartson had said all this in a low tone of voice, as if intending to be heard by Felix only; but the strong emphasis he gave to his words made us not lose a single one of them, though standing at some distance. Felix seemed annihilated; his will was subdued by a mightier than himself, but he could not sustain himself. Almost fainting, he leant against the wall.

"Lean on me," said Lennartson, quickly, with a gentle and tender voice, taking the young man in his arms. "Why do you fear? Am I not your friend-your fatherly friend? Trust to me! Come! be a man. Think of the eyes that are now looking upon you. Come!"

At these words Felix took courage, and said, in a soft tone:

"Do with me as you please. I am willing to obey. Lennartson, seeing him stagger, took him by the arm, motioned to us kindly as we were approaching to render assistance, to keep off, and, conducted the young man away, with a look at us, that said:

"Make yourselves easy!"

Selma, with agitated feelings, threw herself into my arms. I did not leave her that night, which we both passed without sleep, and I have written this in her bed-room.

March 16th.

Felix is ill, but-as they assure us-not dangerously. He has been bled: and Lennartson sat up with him the whole night. Flora has just returned from her brother, and I rejoice to see her really affected and troubled at his condition.

In the Afternoon.

Lennartson has just been here, so full of kindnessso comforting. Felix's affairs are not so bad by far as he himself imagined. A sudden demand upon him by his creditors who had been alarmed by the flight of his friends-their threats, at a moment when he was entirely without money, and his ignorance of the real state of his concerns, had occasioned his desperation. Lennartson is quite sure of his being able to extricate him out of this embarrassment, although there are many difficulties in the way that will have to be surmounted.

On expressing our regret at the trouble and time which this wretchedly complicated affair would cost him he mildly said:

"May Felix only be led to profit by this warning, and I will then not complain of what has happened, neither on his account no my own."

"How kind you are, how infinitely kind you are! Oh, that Felix and we all could duly express our gratitude."

Saying these words, Selma turned, as if involuntarily, to Lennartson, while her eyes sparkled, and were full of tears. He seemed surprised, and his cheeks coloured, as he said:

"Such words from Fräulein Selma! Can I deserve