d
the little finger of that beautiful hand.

"I see I must carry you off forcibly, if I would have you to myself,"
said the Judge merrily, and taking his wife's arm in his, led her out.

But her thoughts still hovered around her first-born, her handsome and
richly endowed son. She uttered a glowing prayer for his perfecting in
all good, whilst all were sleeping sweetly the first night in the new
house.

FOOTNOTES:

[4] A wild and animated Swedish national dance.

CHAPTER II.

THE MORROW.

How pleasant it must have been to the family the next morning to
assemble round the amply-supplied breakfast-table in a handsome and
spacious drawing-room. But drawing-room, and breakfast-table, and all
outward comforts, signify nothing, if the inward are wanting; if
affectionate dispositions and kind looks do not make the room bright,
and the breakfast well-flavoured. But nothing was wanting on this
morning to the family of the Franks--not even the sun. It shone in
brightly to illumine the bright scene.

Henrik made a speech to Madame Folette, in testimony of his love and
reverence for her, and of his joy on meeting her again in so good a
state of preservation.

Louise, with the help of Eva, served tea and coffee, bread and butter,
etc., taking particular care that everybody had just what they liked
best. The basket which held sugar-biscuits was constantly in the
neighbourhood of Jacobi.

"How glorious this is!" exclaimed Henrik, rubbing his hands, and casting
a glance of pleasure around on his parents and sisters, "it is quite
paradisiacal! What does your Majesty desire? Ah, your most devoted
servant! Coffee, if I might ask it, excellent Madame Folette!"

"After breakfast," said the mother, "I have something for you to guess."

"Something to guess?" said Henrik, "what can it be? Tell me, what is it
like, sweet mamma? what name does it bear?"

"A wedding," replied she.

"A wedding? A most interesting novelty! I cannot swallow another morsel
till I have made it out! Jacobi, my best fellow, can I possess myself of
a biscuit? A wedding! Do I know the parties?"

"Perfectly well."

"It cannot possibly be our excellent Uncle Munter, himself?" suggested
he. "He seems to me very odd, and, as it were, a little touched in the
heart."

"Oh, no, no! He'll not marry."

"He is already so horribly old," said Eva.

"Old!" exclaimed the Judge. "He is something above forty, I fancy; you
don't call that so horribly old