tart, they always returned by the strangest short-cuts
to the forbidden point, and began once more to flutter around it, like
moths around a candle.

The brothers, who were paying a holiday visit to their uncle, the
Pastor, were now on their way to the Sheriff's house, where there was
to be a dancing-party for young people. There were many students
paying visits in the neighborhood, so that these parties passed like an
epidemic from house to house.

Cousin Hans was thus in his very element; he sang, he danced, he was
entertaining from morning to night; and if his tone had been a little
sharp when he declared that Ola was kicking up the dust, it was really
because of his annoyance at being unable, by any means, to screw his
brother up to the same pitch of hilarity.

We already know what was oppressing Ola. But even under ordinary
circumstances he was more quiet and retiring than his brother. He danced
"like a pair of nut-crackers," said Hans; he could not sing at all
(Cousin Hans even declared that his speaking voice was monotonous and
unsympathetic); and, in addition to all this, he was rather absent and
ill-at-ease in the society of ladies.

As they approached the Sheriff's house, they heard a carriage behind
them.

"That's the Doctor's people," said Hans, placing himself in position for
bowing; for the beloved one was the daughter of the district physician.

"Oh, how lovely she is--in light pink!" said Cousin Hans.

Cousin Ola saw at once that the beloved one was in light green; but he
dared not say a word lest he should betray himself by his voice, for his
heart was in his throat.

The carriage passed at full speed; the young men bowed, and the old
Doctor cried out, "Come along!"

"Why, I declare, that was she in light green!" said Cousin Hans; he had
barely had time to transfer his burning glance from the light-pink frock
to the light-green. "But wasn't she lovely, Ola?"

"Oh yes," answered Ola with an effort.

"What a cross-grained being you are!" exclaimed Hans, indignantly. "But
even if you're devoid of all sense for female beauty, I think you might
at least show more interest in--in your brother's future wife."

"If you only knew how she interests me," thought the nefarious Ola,
hanging his head.

But meanwhile this delightful meeting had thrown Hans into an ecstatic
mood of amorous bliss; he swung his stick, snapped his fingers, and sang
at the pitch of his voice.

As he thought of the fair on