hat this, too, might be one of
the temptations of the evil one, leading his thoughts away from the
one thing needful, and back to the sinful recollections of his past
life.

The next time the pea-soup was placed on the table, he could scarcely
touch it.

The devil was in the peas, too.

CHAPTER XIV

"MY DEAR CHRISTIAN FREDERIK,

"Since your lamented mother's death, whose too early demise we ever
deplore, I do not know when I have felt myself more contented or in
such good spirits.

"In every man's life there is a certain point where his character and
inner nature undergo a change and become altered. His interests
continue as before, the amount of energy with which he approaches his
work need not lessen; and yet when he arrives at the turning-point,
he sees with other eyes, and is, in some respects, actuated by other
feelings.

"This transition, of which I can here give but a very imperfect
description, is the inevitable result of the change from youth to old
age, and this it is which of late years, ever since your mother's
death, has slowly and gradually manifested itself in me.

"With feelings of gratitude to a merciful Providence, I am able to
say that I feel happy in having become an old man.

"But my heart is chiefly filled with gratitude when I consider how
much bodily health and strength, and especially mental vigour, I
still retain, so that nothing of what has hitherto occupied my
thoughts has yet become alien or indifferent to me.

"I enjoy more peace of mind, the brain, undisturbed by passion, is
better fitted to perform its functions, and the somewhat precipitate
ardour of youth has given place to the circumspection of mature age.

"I write to you to-day, my dear son, more explicitly, and upon
subjects different from those on which we usually correspond. I am
led to do so, partly with a desire to inform you of what you are
about to undertake, and partly because this letter may be one of the
last which we shall exchange at a distance; for it is now my wish,
and my paternal injunction, that you, in conformity with our
prearranged understanding, should return home in the ensuing spring.

"I leave it to your choice to decide whether you will return from
Paris by Copenhagen, or whether you will go to England, and come
thence in one of the lobster-smacks.

"It will be a great joy to me to see you at home again, and in good
health. I hope also that you, on your part, will be contented and
h