there.
I will dry the mourner's tears; and Thou, O Lord, wilt wipe the tears
from my face when my spirit halts and I weep at night over my poor
lonesome life."

Thus Ivo said to himself, and his heart was bright and clear. He seemed
to have suddenly acquired the power of casting aside all earthly care,
and winging his way to the fountain-head of bliss; and then again he
experienced a sensation of triumph and of longing for the strife, as if
he must go forth at once to battle. In an ecstasy of joy he called to
mind the delight his return to his calling would awaken at home: his
thoughts became indistinct, and he was again in the region of dreams.

Next morning he wrote a letter to his parents, announcing, with solemn
earnestness and warm contrition, the recantation of his purpose, and
praising the high character of the duties upon which he was resolved to
enter. What he could not do to please his parents, he had achieved of
his own free will. When he again heard the letter glide down into the
box, he seemed to hear the swoop of the judicial sword: he had
sentenced and executed himself. He returned, shaking his head. The
elasticity of his spirit was bruised and broken. With all the power of
his will, he returned to his studies, and succeeded for a time in
quieting his mind.

At home the letter provoked the greatest exultation. But scarcely had
the first flush of excitement passed away before a careful observer
would have detected symptoms of uneasiness in the behavior of his
mother. She often smiled sadly to herself, went thoughtfully about the
house, and spoke little. Often, of an evening, she asked Emmerence to
read the letter; and when she came to the words, "I will sacrifice my
life to God, who gave it me; I will give you, my dear mother, the
greatest earthly happiness," Christina sighed deeply.

One Saturday evening Christina and Emmerence sat together peeling
potatoes for the next day: Emmerence, who had just read the letter once
more, remarked,--

"Aunty, it always seems to me as if you were not quite happy to know
that Ivo is going to be a clergyman, after all. Just tell me what you
think about it. I see there is something the matter: you needn't
conceal it from me."

"You're right. You see, I'll tell you. Before him" (meaning her
husband) "I couldn't breathe a word about it, or the house would be on
fire in a minute. It always seems to me as if I had done a great sin: I
have made his heart so heavy. And