however, cannot give this up. The mild cli- | spoke of Edla, to assert her to be the ugliest and

mate has already operated so revivifying upon many in a state similar to his. May it, however, please God! My love, my dearest duty is to make his days easy and agreeable, be they many or be they few."

The thought of the probable decease of her father diffused a quiet sadness over the soul of Nina. But Hervey's presence, his liveliness, his care, prevented her from giving herself up wholly to depressing thoughts; he was more than ever to her, all-law and gospel.

most disagreeable creature on the whole earth. Now, on the contrary, the star of the Countess was setting, Edla's had begun to ascend and was now in its zenith. Travelling Swedes, who visited the President in Nizza, could not relate enough of Edla's self-denial; and praised the prudence which she exhibited in her care and attention to her feeble, irritable father. Edla's behavior began to be a universal subject of conversation, and as a sort of antithesis to that of the Countess, was exalted and praised. Peo- In the mean time it was summer; nature was ple gave her the surname of Antigone, and next gloriously adorned-the harvest ripened-life to her filial virtue they celebrated her "intellecwas in full bloom, and our lovers saw each oth- tuality," her modesty, and her pure and excellent er daily. I know, my dear reader, that which character. The correspondents of the Countess thou hopest: anguish and strife of love-pain and she had very many of these-wearied her -frenzy-reconciliation-rapture--storm-pas- with their incessant outbreaks of praise of EdlaAntigone, often accompanied by not unintelligible hints at the part which the Countess, the wife of the President, played, in comparison with his daughter. Several floating rumors about the handsome Herculean Colonel gave a degree of causticity to these hints, which the Countess felt in their full keenness. She revenged herself by hatred against Edla; and thus represented her as a proud, power-loving being, who sought to triumph over her.

sion; at last, a little murder or a secret marriage, and such like. Honor be to virtue and true strength! Nothing of all this have I to relate, Hervey would not win Nina with craft, but with perfect openness would ask her hand from those who had the right to dispose of it. He knew her heart-he had heard her prayer, and on that account he would not ask from her any binding promise. He wished that she should decide her own and his fate without any interference. On that account he watched over himself with the severity of an anchorite, and over her with the heavenly love of an angel. Resolved to venture the very extremest to possess her, he awaited with the deepest impatience the moment in which he might act-the arrival of Edla and Count Ludwig. Nina, in the mean time, was happy-that was all which Hervey desired. He surrounded her with an unceasing spring, and never gloomed even the least cloud these blessed days. By his love and by his teaching he strengthened and elevated her soul; and whenever the fervor of his feelings would have burst the bonds which he had imposed upon them, then he left her, and endeavored by labor and pains to regain strength and tranquillity; and then like a blessing of heaven, he came back to her. Was he unable to conceal from her the struggle or the melancholy of his soul, and her tender, questioning glance sought his, then said he, "Nina, you know why." She knew it she gave him her hand, and they understood each other.

The Countess, deeply occupied with the Colonel, industriously pretended ignorance regarding the connection between Hervey and Nina. She wished by that means to escape from the blushes over her own inclination-she saw also, perhaps, not unwillingly, a rock springing up in Edla's path. The coldness and dislike which she had always cherished for Edla, had degenerated by degrees into actual hatred. We will see in what way.

The Countess felt that since the affair at Ramlösa, Edla could no longer esteem her. Edla, without ever asking her opinion, had arranged for Nina's betrothal with Count Ludwig, and had treated her, since the illness of the President, with coldness both by word of deed and by letter. The Countess knew very well that she deserved no better; yet this did not prevent the arising of a certain bitterness against Edla-a bitterness which was only heightened the more from the following circumstance.

The Countess had earlier been declared the idol of every great coterie, which consisted of nearly all the intellectual of Sweden from the north to the south. At that time people only

In a short time the Colonel took a journey. During his absence the Countess seemed to recover some of the former tenderness to Nina. Yet still, even in her tenderness there lay egotism; she would, as it were, adorn herself with Nina. She had for a long time been envious of the admiration which Nina cherished for Edla; and now that she calculated upon Edla's speedy return, she began to labor to turn away a heart which to Edla was so dear. She spoke often to Nina of her sister, and commended her in such a way as was secretly designed to cool Nina's heart toward her.

"She is a most uncommon person," said she sometimes: "so strong, so calm, so assured. Happy she who has not to combat against a weak and yielding heart!"

Again she would say, "Edla belongs rather to heaven than earth. She needs nothing of that which constitutes the happiness of others. She is sufficient to herself."

Or, "Edla loves humanity; the human being. is nothing to her... She would be always ready to sacrifice the well-being of the few to what she considered the well-being of the whole.”

"Edla ought to be king or prime minister," said she among other things, "for she has a strong and determined will. For the carrying out of a great plan she never asks who she sacrifices. There is something of Charles XII. in her."

By degrees also the Countess began to express her disinclination for Count Ludwig, as well as her astonishment. at Edla's great inclination for him, and to let a suspicion gleam through, that perhaps a tenderer sentiment toward Count Ludwig made Edla blind to his failings, and with this the Countess sometimes cast a pitying glance on Nina.

In Nina's present position, and in the state of mind between hope and fear in which she was, the words of the Countess could not remain without their influence. Besides this she also came pretty near the truth, and there mingled therefore with Nina's feeling a certain bitterness. Her feelings toward Edla changed more and more into fear. Edla's image melted by degrees

"I have," she wrote, "during the long nights by the sick bed of my father, arranged the plan of a little work, the materials for which have lain collected in my mind for some time. It "I myself," said the Countess, "have gone, treats on intellectual education, particularly as through life without making the least acquaintregards my own sex. Its doctrines are the off-ance with them. Yet I have seen their influspring of my own experience-of my own suf- ence of the most sorrowful kind upon persons ferings; and on this ground alone, I dare to extremely dear to me. One of my near relations,

Hervey contemplated her with an inexpressible glance.

The company was silent for some time; for the relation of the Countess had not been made without effect. Presently they related other experiences of this kind.

"I knew very intimately," said some one, "a highly rational family, in which all incidents which occurred in it were announced by a nightly apparition."

a young, lively, amiable lady, who was most hap- Nina's tears flowed. "This was not a bitter pily married, was about a year after her mar-death," whispered she; "it need not have been riage possessed by a most sad presentiment of foretold by such sad presentiments." impending misfortune, for which she could not assign the slightest reason. In vain she endeavored to argue herself into consolation and reason; in vain her husband sought to banish by the tenderest care this preternatural feeling from her soul; it pursued her continually. It threw a black veil over the brightest day and even the most charming scenes of nature; in the most joyous tones of the gayest waltz she heard but sounds of mourning, even joy and laughter were to her only spectral tones. Her husband, in "With this faith in apparitions and warndespair at this unhappy state of mind, determin-ings," said now one of the gentlemen with great ed to conduct her to her nearest and dearest re- warmth, "is, however, the door opened to the lations, hoping that the journey and new scenes most foolish superstition and the absurdest imwould dissipate her melancholy. His hopes ap-aginings. I am convinced that no one can ever peared to be accomplished; she thanked him for his affectionate anxiety with redoubled tenderness. Every one exerted himself to eliven her and to divert her thoughts, and before so many friendly endeavors the dark forebodings seemed as if they must depart.

have a stronger presentiment than was that which accompanied me through the years of my boyhood. I fancied, namely, firmly and fast, that I was to be torn to pieces by a lion; and yet here stand I now healthy and vigorous, without having ever even seen a lion, excepting in "After the young couple had passed several copperplate engravings, and hope also to go on weeks, during the Christmas and New Year's thus, and to die a peaceful death in my bed. festivities, in the country amid the most agreea- My sister, who read Miss Radcliffe's romances, ble circle, the amiable Rosina had evidently im- had a presentiment, as strong as mine, that she proved; all anxious forebodings seemed to have was to be carried off by a pirate, and to become vanished. One day the young couple drove a Sultana in Turkey. But even to the present over the frozen lake on a visit to a kind neigh-time, when she is fifty years old, she has not bor, with whom they very pleasantly took din- even found a lover! Seriously, I believe that ner, and spent part of the evening. Late in the one may with certainty maintain that out of moonlight they set out to return. Shortly, how- twenty remarkable forewarnings, one at the most ever, before she left the house, Rosina was alone, is fulfilled; but even for that there is some simwhen suddenly she heard indescribably charm-ple and sufficient ground. For how natural is ing music before the window. She listened at- it that feelings and thoughts, which have occutentively, and plainly distinguished a funeral pied themselves for long with one object, influhymn. Trembling, she hastened to the window ence the imagination, and bring before it feverand withdrew the curtain; a beautiful boy stood ish images. In our changing world it is not difwithout, in the clear moonlight winter night, ficult to stumble upon circumstances which acand sang thus sweetly in this mournful manner. cord with this or that presentiment; and the imAt her appearance he withdrew, seemed to dis- agination which is thus called forth, sets about solve into air, and the sounds died away in to make reality yet more to suit it. Many a sighs. Deeply shocked, and again taken posses- warning also is first noticed after the occursion of by her sad forebodings, Rosina, pale as rence.' death, hastened to her husband, and imparted to "Granted," replied Hervey; "and yet there is him the circumstance and her grievous anxiety. an infinite number which cannot be so easily She conjured him not to set out this night; the explained. One piece of experience which goes kind inhabitants of the house united their wish- through the whole history, shows this, that there es and prayers to hers-but in vain. Rosina's is a dark, mystical side of human existence, husband was quite out of humor with the return which appears to follow no determined laws, but of her diseased imagination, and resolved at which makes man acknowledge that he is suronce to oppose with the full force of his deter-rounded by a spiritual world, whose power exmination these spectral ideas. For the first time in his life he was deaf to her prayers and tears. He led her to the carriage, placed himself close beside her, and held her to his breast. With sorrow and submission she clung to him, spoke a mournful farewell to those who stood round, lay silently on the breast of her husband, and waited for that which should happen.

ercises a certain influence opon his whole life. Impossible as it may be for us to explain these phenomena, it is just as impossible for us to deny their existence. Probably they belong to the universal wise ordination of things, which we shall first comprehend on the other side of this world. The All-merciful would certainly have spared us the pang which the unintelligibility and the inexplicability of such passing impressions occasion us, had it lain in the ordination of his eternal and holy laws."

The tone in which Hervey said this expressed such a deep depression of mind, that Nina's eyes were riveted upon him with uneasiness and tenderness.

"Thick clouds in the mean time had come over the heavens, and concealed the moon; a strongly increasing wind soon blew out the lamps. The coachman was not perfectly sober, which, on account of the disquiet of their setting out, had not been observed. In the closed carriage all was still and dark; the horses sprang forward gayly on the smooth ice, and made their bells ring merrily. Suddenly, however, all was hushed. The ice cracked-the windows flew open the water rushed in, and all vanished in a large opening in the ice! People found after-you for a far more rational man." ward the corpses of the young couple, clasped Hervey smiled. He smiled indeed as an angel still in death together!"

"I fancy that we, in these days," said Mr. N. with a well-bred air and a reproving manner, "are far removed from ghost and omen; and I confess, best Pastor Hervey, that I had taken

might smile over the conceited wisdom of a human being. Nina's lovely affectionate eyes met his with the most heartfelt intelligence. He turned himself kindly to his neighbor, and said, "Above all things would it be foolish to allow these dark suggestions too great a power over us; and for this purpose means have been provided, for this purpose the sun is in heaven, and the human eye speaks kindness, truth, and beauty. What shadows are they which would not flee before these?"

At this moment a letter was given to him, which he hastily opened, and then left the company. Sunk in thought, Nina walked down to the river, whose restless waves seemed to-day to roll about more violently than common. Here it was that Hervey sought her. Great uneasiness and excitement were expressed in his features.

"I must leave you," said he; "I must take a journey." He gave to her the letter, which contained the following lines, written by a trembling hand

while his eye devoured her. A violent desire to clasp her to his heart, to call her his bride, burned in his soul. He wished thereby to conjure the anxio us foreboding which spoke continually of severing, and at the same time to bind Nina to him for ever. Burning with pain and love, he clasped her-she looked at him terrified, and he asked with glowing eye, "Nina?"

"Beloved!" replied the quiet, pale, touching form. "It is in your power to make me happy or miserable. Do you see the waves at my feet? Throw me into their depths; I will be still and not complain. I should tremble less at that, than that you should forget your vow, and my prayers. Edward, kill me rather! Ah, death would be sweet to me from your beloved hand!"

At these words and tones the wild passion laid itself in Hervey's breast. He bent his knee before that adored being, and pressed her hands violently to his breast and forehead.

"Nina, forgive me," exclaimed he with agitated voice; "but do not forget that my life's wellbeing lies in your hands."

With these words, he tore himself from her, and disappeared.

"If you would mitigate the pangs of conscience of a dying man; if you would see an important secret brought to light, hasten without delay to W. Inquire to the inn there for a man of the name of Erik B. He will conduct you to the writer of these lines. But travel day and night; for I am weak, and my hours are num-cited. Tears, prayers, and a thousand softly bered."

Nina, turning pale, gave him back the letter, while she said

"You must hence! O quick, quick-ah, the unfortunate!"

A lively hope that the secret referred to might concern himself and might unbind the fetters of his life awoke in Hervey's soul; but the joy of this was almost crushed by the thoughts of separation. The letter came from a distant place out of another province; Hervey's absence must continue for several days. Edla might come in the mean time-Count Ludwig-Nina remained alone with them! This thought filled him with unspeakable distress. He could not conceal his disquiet-his deep pain of heart. Nina was now the gently consoling, sustaining friend, only it was a long time before he could listen to her words. He went and came; wished to speak and was silent. Suddenly he violently seized her hand, and exclaimed, "Vow to me-swear to me-no!" interrupted he himself, letting her go, no-no oath!" He tore himself from her, walked backward and forward, then turned to her, and said slowly and firmly

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"I will not-I cannot lose you!" He held her hands in his, pressed them to his burning face, and Nina felt the hot tears upon them.

Stupefied with suffering, Nina sat down on a piece of rock on the river's shore. She had never before seen Hervey so violent, or so ex

breathed forth vows of love, brought at length tranquillity back to her heart: her whole soul was only one thought-one feeling for him.

The day after this parting Nina spent with Hervey's mother. She felt an inward need of obtaining strength and calmness from the excellent old lady. She longed so heartily to hear his sister Maria speak of her beloved brother. Hervey's mother received Nina with open arms, and as a mother, pressed her to her breast. For the first time she spoke with Nina of her son's hopes. She was too proud of him for the higher birth of his beloved to occasion her any embarrassment. To her it seemed so natural, so necessary to love him, and to wish to belong to him. Besides this she expressed such warm wishes for his happiness, and such a motherly love for Nina as penetrated her heart with the sweetest hopes and feelings. Maria was gay and happy, and set before her the best and the fairest which the house contained, and this was, thanks to her own skilfulness, not a little. Nina sang enchantingly, and drew tears from her listeners. What warm, beautiful words were spoken of Edward Hervey ! Nina listened to them with a happy heart. day was friendly and charming, as days always are to kind, intelligent people who share in one

This

her way home. The heaven was gloomy, and the air sultry, yet the two young friends remarked it not. Nina sang by the way a little song which was Maria's favorite. Maria wove for Nina a garland of the large forget-me-not. The heavenly blue glory became that loving Madonna's countenance bewitchingly.

Nina also wept, but she found words to com-deep, common interest. fort her. "What shall be able to separate us?" In the evening Maria accompanied Nina on said she with such warmth, as if she would overcome the future by its power. "Have I not freedom to speak and to act? Believe me, Edla shall not-cannot divide us. Ah, Edward! you are more to me than her, than the whole world. Since I have loved you, I am weak no longer. I have strength to withstand circumstances; nay, I feel that I could even oppose the will of my sister. But Edla will see and feel that there is no life, no joy on earth, no bliss in heaven, only in you and with you! Edward, I will pray, conjure-ah, I know it, I am sure of it, I can move her. She cannot sever me from you!"

Nina spoke long, warmly, tenderly, full of the sweetest affection. Hervey listened to her,

Maria kissed

They parted at Nina's Rest. her tenderly and went back. Nina stood by the brook, and saw her face in its pure mirror; it looked so heavenly with its azure garland and with the green surrounding bushes. Nina thought herself lovely; she felt it with joy, for her beauty was for Hervey. With this, with everything she possessed of good, with the gifts