way; but the worthy patriarchs and the lovely, a great deal about her affairs, in which he takes Serena prayed us so warmly and earnestly to more interest than in his own; and so talk they come soon and spend a whole day with them, all coffee comes in, during which meal she that we gave our hands upon it; and I must con- shows herself a most agreeable hostess. This tess that I desired nothing more. On the way lasts till six o'clock; then says Ma chere mere, home I could talk of nothing but Serena, and "Now, Lagman, we will walk;" and the two went to sleep with her lovely image in my soul. parade, side by side, up and down the large Perhaps, in time, I may come to see this fam-room. This time may be regarded as one of ily in a more prosaic light, and then you will re-rest; for the two never speak a word, excepting ceive a less poetical picture. Life wears oftener that Ma chere mère, who goes with her hands beits every-day than its festival garb. This, how-hind her back, says unceasingly, yet almost in-εver, I know, I have had a heavenly vision.

June 18th.

audibly, and only by the movement of the tongue, "Trallala, trallala, trallala! trallala, trallala, Away from home may be good, but at home trallala!" This walk, which has come to be is best! So have I often thought during the two called trall, lasts, probably, half an hour, on pleasant days I have passed quietly in looking which Ma chère mere says, "Now, Lagman, let after my own affairs, in taming my Bear and my us sit!" on which the two sit down, and begin little animals. All goes on quite well; six hens, to chat again, but not of business, but of the good three ducks, and two turkeys are now my inti-old times; of the then living remarkable people; mate acquaintance. I have caressed and fed the relate anecdotes, and drink tea. So have they cows to-day; the fine creatures! the largest and paraded, tralled, and chatted, above twenty years! handsomest of which I have christened Audum- The Lagman has sometimes wonderful fits of bla, in memory of the beautiful northern my- absence: he will place himself, for instance, thology, of which I have read in the symbolical within a doorway, or against a wall, and there lore of the Edda. stand for hours, in deep thought, without once moving from the spot. Sometimes, at table, too, if he would pour out a glass of water or wine, he never notices when the glass is full, but keeps pouring on till it runs over the table. Ma chère mère is not much pleased when such accidents occur; but she never speaks one unfriendly word to him on the subject, but jokes him, merely, on his "poetical distractions." Nevertheless, if she see his large hand reaching towards a bottle, she mostly is beforehand with him.

What of my husband? Since he has given up his little vices, he has acquired, God knows how! continually a greater influence over me. This, however, is certain, that he is good and reasonable. Yesterday evening he came into our best sitting-room with the pipe in his mouth, but stood at the doorway looking at me, and made such roguish, questioning grimaces, that I sprang up, embraced both him and his pipe, and drew them both into the room. I was so happy that the pipe did not hate the room-but really too much friendship.

The sisters-in-law are come. Yesterday morning we received a note from Ma chère mère, inviting us to go for the evening; in the first place, because she wished to see us; and, secondly, because she wished us to receive the relations with her, who were expected that evening at Carlsfors. "If the little wife will come the first," added she, "I shall be right glad to see her; and for that purpose shall send my Norrkopings carriage with the brown horses after dinner to Rosenvik. For this once I will burden my conscience by separating man and wife; still, if they can come together, so much the pleasanter."

But I let my pen fly, like a wild bird, from one object to another. I return now to the evening when the relations were expected.

Both Ma chère mère and her house were in their most festival garb. The slurka, or helmetcap, sat high and proud on her serious brow, and she marched through the large room, by the Lagman's side, with the air and carriage of a general. All the doors stood open, and all the steps were crowded with servants in livery.

"Welcome now, my dear Franziska," said Ma chère mère, reaching to me her hand with a stately bearing; "you will now make the acquaintance of your new family. We shall see what these young ladies are like: in the mean time, my heart! go and do what you like, while I finish my walk."

I took permission, and went to see how the chambers of the sisters-in-law looked. I found the coarse toilet-covers had been replaced with others much finer, which gave me pleasure. In every other respect, too, the rooms were comfortably furnished; all was substantial, convenient, and clean; but I missed something of the poetry, something of the luxury of life, without which life and home would only be mere necessary establishments.

"Ma chère mère," thought I, "will leave this to I was very curious to see the brothers-in-law the ladies themselves, will leave them to beauti and their wives. My husband, who was over-fy their own little world, according to their own joyed by the thought of seeing again his beloved taste.' Although I could not but confess that brother Peter, could not, however, on account of this was best, I felt irresistibly compelled to anseveral patients, reach Carlsfors before evening; ticipate some little; and going, therefore, into the so I went alone in the Norrkopings carriage, garden, gathered a quantity of flowers, which which is pleasanter than the heaven-chariot. grow there in superabundance; hastily wove two garlands, one of which I hung over each looking-glass, and then, disposing glasses of flowers about the rooms, pleased myself in no small degree with the friendly aspect they gave. Presently, however, I heard a strong voice be

I found Lagman Hök with Ma chère mère. He comes regularly once a week, and brings from the city, where he lives, newspapers and law documents; for Ma chère mère, who has a strong sense of right, has many lawsuits. She talks with him

D

I turned round, and looked somewhat terrified at the severe countenance of Ma chère mère. "Now, now, don't look so hébété," said she, her countenance changing, and patting me on the cheek; "I will say no more than that you are poetical, and, if you choose to fill the chambers of your sisters-in-law with plunder, that is your business, not mine; the thing, however, looks very pretty. I see, my dear, that you are not without taste; and now, if you will have a cup of tea, come out with me, I have no in-young lady courtesied very deeply, and kissed clination to wait for the young gentry. Hök is standing in the saloon-door in one of his reveries, but we'll see if we cannot wake him."

ing and full of soul. He sat the whole evening
as if sunk into himself; pressed Lars Anders's
hand sometimes, and glanced often at his wife,
who lay on a sofa and slept.
The evening

her, and throwing herself negligently into the armed chair, from which Ma chère mère had the moment before risen, exclaimed, "Ah, I am so fatigued, so fatigued, so warm, that I must die; ah!" while the silken robe which she wore fall-would have been very tedious, had it not been ing open, showed a fine cambric dress, and, still for Jean Jacques, who, having travelled abroad farther, the very prettiest of all little feet. but a short time before, related to us various and Oh, that you could have seen Ma chère mère! very interesting accounts of mechanical and inShe stood as if thunderstruck! while Peter, dustrial undertakings, such as railroads, the rushing forward, seized Ebba's hand, and, en-Thames tunnel, etc. Jean Jacques, unlike Peter, deavouring to raise her from the chair, whisper-is very good-looking, has the power of being amued, "Ebba, in Heaven's name, bethink thee! sing, and appears to be full of life and knowledge. Ebba, it is Ma chère mère." Ma chère mere was greatly pleased with his nar"Heavens!" exclaimed Ebba, like one waken-ratives; and all, indeed, listened to them with the ed out of a dream, and looked up, with a pair of beautiful brown eyes, to the great lady, just as people look up to a church steeple. Ma chère mère, on her side, approached her with a countenance that seemed to express, "Whatever sort of an extraordinary little creature are you?"

As the two were about to meet, Ebba snatched her hand suddenly from her husband's, and, springing upon a chair, threw both her arms around Ma chère mère's neck, and kissed her with all the grace and freedom of a child. This seemed to make a peculiar impression on the elder lady, who, grasping her little person in both her large hands, placed her, like a child, in her arms, and carried her under the chandelier, which was then lit up with the beams of the setting sun, and examined what seemed like a cherub's head surrounded with light. Ebba laughed, and we all were obliged to laugh too; while Ma chere mère's loud "Ha! ha! ha!" resounded above all. She patted and pinched the cheeks of the ill-trained, but lovely young creature, till her fine dark eyebrows contracted themselves, and she exclaimed, again and again, "Let me go!" But Ma chère mere, who wished somewhat to punish her, jested still with her, as people jest with a child; but at length, as tears filled her eyes, she shook her friendly by the hand, kissed her forehead, and saluted Peter with the words, "Chastise your wife, my dear son, otherwise she will chastise you."

Ebba greeted me most ungraciously, never once looked at Lars Anders; but, throwing herself on a sofa looked through the room and on the company with an air of indifference. Ma chère mère made no remark, but saw all this with a certain bitterness of mien which, according to my thought, seemed to say, "We shall soon bring you into order, little malapert."

greatest interest; so much, in fact, on my part, that I was sorry when supper was announced.

On the announcement of supper, we all turned towards Ebba, who, indescribably pretty, lay asleep on the sofa, like a rose-bud folded in leaves. I said something of the kind as we stood round her, and was thanked by her husband with one of his fine glances; then, bending over her, he kissed her in order to wake her, saying, "Ebba, my angel, rise!"

"Why cannot you let me rest in quiet? How unbearable you are!" was her loving reply; and she would have composed herself anew to sleep, had not Ma chère mere elevated her strong voice.

"My dear child," said she, "hear! If you are not ready to come with us to table this moment, you will have nothing to eat. Don't imagine that anybody will give themselves trouble on your account."

The little one opened her eyes in the greatest astonishment, raised herself, and, without another word, Ma chère mère took her hand and led her into the eating-room. Ebba allowed herself to be led, but with a look of indescribable ill-humour. Ma chère mère, however, was extremely amiable towards her, seated her by her, and showed her a thousand little attentions. There was something so irresistibly inciting in Ma chère mère's friendliness, that even Ebba yielded, like the rose to the rays of the sun, the ill-humour vanished; and then, indeed, she became unspeakably lovely, and the little Love's head appeared quite bewitching. She ate, laughed, and chatted with Ma chère mère, who busied herself with her. Peter looked quite happy; Jean Jacques talked with Tuttin, who looked no less fortunate, about English roast beef and French omelette soufflée. I kept up a continued conversation with Jane Maria, whose obliging demeanour and agreeable style of conversation pleased me more and more. Lars Anders sat silent near his brother, and looked dissatisfied.

mère, after she had cleared her throat, raised her sonorous voice, and spoke with earnestness and strength to the following effect;

Notwithstanding all this, Ebba is, from head to foot, the very prettiest little creature that I ever saw. She resembles more a fairy than a human being; but her countenance is somewhat At the conclusion of the meal, Ma chère mère disfigured by an expression of superciliousness ordered a steaming bowl of punch to be brought and pertness which especially plays around the in, filled the glasses for us all, and gave a sign small mouth and the dilated nostril. It is true with the hand for the servants to withdraw. that she is very young, but she seems to me to We all at once became suddenly silent, as if exbe one of those young creatures who are partic-pecting something extraordinary; and Ma chère ularly hard to train. Lars Anders seemed to think the same, and looked upon her and Peter with a troubled air. Peter, to all appearance, is desperately in love with his little humorsome wife, who, on her part, does not appear to trouble herself particularly about him; nor does it appear extraordinary that he has not inspired love in such a young, childish creature. Peter is singularly plain in person; has a very large nose, and his yellow-gray hair stands towards all points of the compass. In manner, he is quiet and introverted; yet his eyes, which are handsome, have an expression which is speak

"My sons and daughters, I will say this to you, because I see you all here assembled round my table and in my house, for the first time; I will say this to you, my children, because I still wish to see you often here, as three united and happy families.

"In an old regulation for soldiers, which was in possession of my deceased husband, General Mansfield, it was said that only in the moment when the fight commenced should the order be

given to the troops, and this order consisted but of three words-Do your best!'

"This rule may also be of some value to the married. Books of education, the advice of fathers and mothers, the precepts of teachers, continue to the altar of Hymen; but there they all pause, and merely say to the wedded pair, 'Do your best!' After this, truly, it is not an easy task to give counsel. Every marriage has its own freemasonry, the one unlike the other, with which it is not well for the uninitiated to meddle. But some good advice, my children, you may listen to with profit, from an old lady who has seen some little of the world, and who has had some little experience in the freemasonry of married life; and if you, in your married career, profit by these counsels, it will be well for you. Thus

If, my children, you would be happy, avoid sour looks and changeful humours. By these, people entice Satan into their houses. A little cloud,' says the proverb, ' can hide both sun and moon." Yes, my daughters, guard against what may be called 'bad weather' in the house; and you, my sons, take heed that you are not the November storm that calls it there.

sed her eyes, while Jane Maria emptied her with a very becoming air. For myself, I must acknowledge that I thought the beginning of the speech heavy, and could hardly refrain from smiling; but, by degrees, the earnestness and energy of Ma chère mere's words took hold of me, and, by the time the speech was ended, Lars Anders and I heartily drank to each other and to Ma chère mère.

When the skal was drunk, Ma chère mère rung for the servants to enter, and taking, with the stiffest general's mien, the arm of Lagman Hök, she ordered us to pass, two and two, before her mustered us, as it were. In passing her, she clapped me on the shoulder, and said, "You are the least!" (This is not true, since I have measured myself with Ebba, and am half a head taller than she; but Ma chère mère has pleasure in jesting with me.) Ebba, however, would not arrange herself according to command, would walk by herself; and, in order to escape from her husband, she skipped like a bird round about us and among us. Ma chère mère closed the procession with Lagman Hök.

We sat chatting for some time after supper, and then Ma chère mère conducted the young people to their rooms; I following, and Lars Anders, also, who would not be left out in anything. Ebba's good humour continued, but it

"Remember what the proverb says, 'Peace cherished is strife banished.' I have, my children, seen that in you already which displeases me; but I hope it will all pass by, and be amend-exhibited itself in laughter and jests over the olded; therefore I will say no more about it.

"Deceive not one another in small things or in great. One little, single lie has, before now, disturbed a whole married life. A small cause has often great consequences. Fold not the hands together and sit idle-'Laziness is the devil's cushion.' Do not run much from home -'One's own hearth is gold worth.'

fashioned furniture; on which account Ma chère mère read her a grave lecture, to which the strange young creature listened attentively, and when it was ended kissed her hand and courte sied with comic humility. She is a sweet, illeducated child, and appears singularly ill-calculated for the wife of the grave, quiet Peter. Jane Maria, on the contrary, seemed perfectly Satisfied with everything, and remarked my flowers with delight; in fact, showing, by her rational, well-bred behaviour, a perfect contrast to the eccentric wildness of Ebba. Ma chère mère was in high good-humour, and jested with us all, if not in the most refined manner, yet certainly with great wit. There is something peculiar about her, which captivates every one. I observed also, this evening, how, through her clear-headed, unequivocal arrangements, she gives satisfaction and security to all around her. Thus Consider, my daughters, what the word she immediately assigned to every one of us our housewife expresses. The married woman is places, and one soon finds the advantage of regher husband's domestic faith; in her hands heulating one's self according to her rules. must be able to confide house and family; be able to intrust to her the key of his heart, as well as the key of his eating-room. His honour and his home are under her keeping: his well-being is in her hand. Think of this!

Many a marriage, my friends, begins like the rosy morning, and then falls away like a snowwreath. And why, my friends? Because the married pair neglect to be as well-pleasing to each other after marriage as before. Endeavour always, my children, to please one another; but, at the same time, keep God in your thoughts. Lavish not all your love on to-day, for remember, that marriage has its to-morrow likewise, and its day after to-morrow too. Spare, as one may say, fuel for the winter.

"And you, my sons, be faithful husbands and good fathers of families. Act so that your wives shall esteem and love you.

"And what more shall I say to you, my children? Read the Word of God industriously; that will conduct you through storm and calm, and safely bring you to the haven at last; for the remainder, do your best! I have done mine. God help and bless you altogether."

With these words she extended her arms as if to bless us, made a solemn greeting with her head, and emptied her glass to the bottom.

Ebba was insolent enough to let a very genteel yawn be audible, nor did she even raise her glass, but, reclining backward in her chair, clo

Ma chère mère invited Lars Anders and me to dine the next day with the family. I was glad of it, for I wish to see them intimately. I anticipate for myself a friend in Jane Maria, and my heart covets female friends; for, since I have lost you, Maria, I am conscious of a great want in my life, which writing cannot supply; and if I won Jane Maria's love, I should not have the less friendship for you.

But to return to the last evening, to Lars Anders, to Rosenvik. Arrived there, I imparted to him my remarks on brothers and sisters-in-law. But he was so deep in one reflection, that he only replied to all I said with a sigh, and the words, "Poor Peter!"

Somewhat impatient over the everlasting "Poor Peter!" I said, at length, "Well, then, Peter must act wisely, like a certain Lars Anders; he must improve his wife by kindness and reason, and then he must submit himself to her tyranny." Lars Anders said pretty things in return, with a kind countenance, but then, after all, he wound up with the words "Poor Peter!"

He troubles himself truly on account of Ebba ; calls her a witch, and will not grant that she is lovely; on the contrary, Jane Maria pleases hin as much as she pleases me.

I go now to dress for dinner, and send you a thousand kisses with my letter.

CHAPTER IV.

and, after a few moments, the fearful emotion passed by of itself. The clinched hand sunk; colour returned to her countenance, and her eyes grew milder; she breathed deeply several times, always lower, as if she sighed, and then, without speaking a word, or even looking round on any one, passed, with slow steps, from the room, closing the door after her. Notwithstanding this, I would have followed, had not Lars Anders restrained me; but seeing me restless and excited, he took me aside, and, in a few words, gave an explanation of this extraordinary and painful scene.

"Ma chère mère," said he, "had herself one son, called Bruno."

"And is he dead?" interrupted I, interrogatively.

"Yes."

Rosenvik, June 21st. THE dinner went off very well yesterday. Ma there mere was cheerful and kind; Ebba wellmannered, and lovely as the morning; Jane Maria perfectly elegant and well-dressed; yet I could have desired a little more freedom, and have wished, also, the large sévigne away from the forehead, for nothing pleases me which overshadows -the brow. Jean Jacques was entertaining, with "And on this account," asked I, astonished, his interesting relations. Lagman Hök, how-“can his name and the remembrance of him ever, poured half a caraft of water over the table, agitate her so much?" which greatly embarrassed him; so much so, indeed, that, some time afterward, when Jean Jacques was describing, with great energy, a certain winged steam-carriage in which people might travel through the air, to which the Lagman appeared to listen with the most fixed attention, thereby animating Jean Jacques to extraordinary energy, he suddenly interrupted him with the question, "Pardon me, Mr. Baron, but of which caraft were you speaking?" at which Ma chère mere laughed, and Jean Jacques looked annoyed.

Jean Jacques talks a great deal. To-day I found it somewhat wearying, especially after dinner. At length I heard only a continued hum, out of which the words Railroad, Manchester, Tunnel, Steam-engine, Penny Magazine, alone struck my ear. The more Jean Jacques described the sleepier I became, and at length he fairly gave up his unworthy listener. But a singular occurrence speedily awoke me out of my drowsiness.

Ma chère mère was sitting on the sofa, arranging the well-used patience-cards for the blockade of Copenhagen; Lagman Hök was sitting near her, taking snuff; and a young servant was handing about coffee, when Jean Jacques exclaimed, "Heavens! how like he is to Bruno !"

"Not merely on that account," he replied; "he occasioned her great sorrow, and everything that reminds her of him, especially the pronouncing his name, agitates her thus powerfully. But one must allow these outbreaks to pass over unobserved; they pass over quickest when she is left entirely to herself."

"But what became of her son ?" I asked.

"It is a long history," he replied; "I will tell you another time, Fanny."

"Another time is a villain!" said I. "I hate another time! I can wait no longer than this evening."

"Well, then," said he, "this evening; but we must not longer stand whispering here.'

As we returned to the company, we found Lagman Hok sitting on the sofa at the patience. table, endeavouring to rearrange the pieces exactly as they were before they were upset, that Ma chère mère, on her return, might not, by any circumstance, be reminded of the scene which had just occurred. When he had succeeded in arranging the pieces, he took snuff, and sneezed nine times successively, which convulsed Ebba with laughter. His solicitude for Ma chere mère affected me; such attention is amiable: so ought friends to have care one for another.

be probably sixty years of age, is thin and tall, has long feet, long hands, a long neck, and a large countenance, in which traces of smallpox, and furrows, and a large aquiline nose, leave no beauty; and yet you must except a pair of eyes, which, under heavy eyebrows, have a quiet, kind, and pleasant expression. They remind one of the impression made upon one by the friendly shimmering light, seen through the windows of a hostel, on a cold autumn evening. He seems, good man, as if he had a peg in every limb; and never did I see so long and stiff a back as his! I

I believe I have never sketched the Lagman's All at once, Ma chère mère's patience-table re-portrait; behold it, then, done hastily. He may ceived a blow, which sent it, with the blockade of Copenhagen, spinning to the floor; yet no one looked at anything but Ma chère mère, who had become deadly pale. The nose was contracted, the lips blue, and the breath emitted with a strong, heavy sound. Then raising herself, like a fermenting billow, she shook her clinched fist at Jean Jacques, while the eyes seemed starting from the head. It was a figure to excite a shudder; and Jean Jacques, growing pale likewise, drew himself back. It was terrible to see her; and I awaited, almost breathless, some fearful catastrophe. But she stood as if stiffened into that threatening attitude, immovable and speechless, as if under the spell of a terrible enchantment, or as if some horror-exciting ghost had passed before her. For a long time she stood thus, and only the wild, audible breathing gave evidence of the strong inward emotion.

While I gazed upon her thus, my terror changed into anguish of heart, and I was about to hasten to her, when Lars Anders held me back; and while he threw his arm round my waist to detain me, he himself sat still and attentively observed her. No one approached her;

never can see him without wondering how he ever can be suspected of poetical fancies. Ma chère mère, however, has firm faith on this point. For the rest, I can say little, as, excepting with Ma chère mère, he seldom speaks with any one. His voice, his whole demeanour, is soft; yet, although he is so quiet and silent, one can never forget that he is in the room; for, excellent man, as he certainly is, he takes such an immense quantity of snuff, that heaps of it lie where he has been sitting; yet, after all, that is not so very bad!

While Lagman Hök laid the patience in order, and Jane Maria, Jean Jacques, and I were