ded down the opening, it seemed as if his past life was sinking into
the grave; and every life--even a hopeless one--dies with a struggle.
With a firm effort, however, he recovered his courage and looked the
future in the face.

Some days after, Ivo had a visit from his parents. They took him with
them to the Lamb Tavern. There Valentine ordered a room; and, when they
were all in it, he bolted the door.

"What's the matter with you?" he said to Ivo, sternly.

"I cannot be a minister, dear father. Don't look so angrily at me: you
have been young too, surely."

"Oh, that's where the shoe pinches, is it? You blessed scamp, why
didn't you tell me that eight years ago?"

"I did not understand it then, father; and, besides, I would not have
had the courage to say it."

"Courage,--eh! We'll make short work of it, my fine fellow: you _shall_
be a minister; and there's an end."

"I'd rather jump into the river."

"No occasion for that. You shall never go out of this room alive if you
don't give me your hand upon it to be a clerical man."

"That I won't do."

"What? That you won't do?" cried Valentine, seizing him by the throat.

[Illustration: Valentine seized him by the throat.]

"Father," cried Ivo, "for God's sake, father, let me go: do not force
me to defend myself: I am not a child any more."

Christina seized her husband's arm. "Valentine," said she, "I shall cry
'Fire!' out of the window if you don't let him go this minute."
Valentine released his hold, and she went on:--"Is this the gentleness
you promised me? Ivo, forgive him: he is your father, and loves you
dearly, and God has given him power over you. Valentine, if you speak
another loud word you've seen the last of me, and I'll run away. Ivo,
for my sake, give him your hand."

Ivo pressed his lips together, and big tears stole down his cheeks.
"Father," he sobbed, "I did not designate myself for a clergyman; nor
are you to blame, for you could not know whether I was suited for it or
not. Why should we reproach each other?"

He went up to Valentine to take his hand; but he only said, "Very fine;
but what does the gentleman intend to be?"

"Let me go to the school for veterinary surgeons for a year, and I
shall manage to get settled somewhere or other as veterinary surgeon
and farmer."

"A good idea; and I'm to pay off the convent, I suppose? Two hundred
florins a year? Then they can sell my house; and it'll be a glorious
thing to say, 'Yes: Ivo'