felt an eager desire to
get out of the desolation of his "tun" into the open air. How long it
was since he had had the blue sky over him, or even put his head out of
the window! A feeling of exultation thrilled his heart, as he took his
old black cloak and cap from the chest of drawers, and thus equipped
glided lightly down stairs. His heart throbbed as violently as if he
were setting out on a long and dangerous journey, and yet he was not
going out of the house at all, but only down into the courtyard, where
he would wait till the young girl came, glide up behind her, and see
her astonishment at finding him below.

In spite of the gathering twilight, the air in the courtyard was very
mild, as if a remnant of the warmth of the sun which during the day had
shone into the space between the four walls, still lingered there. Not
a breath of air was stirring, and there was no sound either in the
house or street. Balder felt almost like a boy who is playing hide and
seek, as he entered the arbor covered with the yellow and almost
leafless bean vines, sat down on the little bench, and noticed that no
one coming from the front of the house could see him, as the poles were
so close together and the black pump intervened. Besides he wrapped
himself carefully in his cloak and turned up the collar, so that not
even his fair hair could betray him.

Absorbed in fantastic dreams he sat waiting for Reginchen. What would
Edwin say, when he came home and heard that Balder had had his
excursion too. But the best part of it he must not be allowed to guess.
Or should he confess to-day? If he had really been as happy as he
hoped, and talked with her heart to heart--would he be able to conceal
his joy? Would it not sparkle in his eyes, flush his cheeks, and burst
from his lips of its own accord?

He determined to let matters take their course and to follow the
dictates of his heart. If she would only come! She could not have
forgotten her promise, but what detained her so long? He was weary with
anxious longing, and yet he did not venture to look for her in the
house. Who could tell whether he should find her alone?

And yet she was alone, even after he had been sitting in the arbor for
half an hour. She had had a great many things to do for the old couple
upstairs; finally after taking up the tea tray she had been dismissed,
and now for the first time remembered her promise, but at the same
moment it occurred to her that she had not yet