, my little Eva. But it is true he has
always had an old look."

"Guess better," said the mother.

"I have it! I have it!" said Petrea, blushing. "It is Laura! Aunt
Evelina's Laura!"

"Ah, light breaks in," said Henrik; "and the bridegroom is Major Arvid
G. Is it not?"

"Precisely," said his mother. "Laura makes a very good match. Major G.
is a very good-looking, excellent young man; and beyond this, has a good
property. He has persuaded Evelina to remove with Karin to his beautiful
seat at Axelholm, and to consider Laura's and his home as theirs for the
future. Eva dear, set the ham before Henrik. What do you want, my angel
Gabriele? Another rusk? Heavens! how quick you are! Leonore, may I give
you some more bread and butter, my child? No?"

"But I hope," exclaimed Henrik, "that we shall be invited to the
wedding. Evelina, who is such a sensible woman, must have the good sense
to invite us. Most gracious sister Queen-bee, these rolls--very
nourishing and estimable rolls--were they baked before or after the
Flood?"

"After," replied Louise, a little piqued, yet with a smile.

"Oh! I humble myself in the dust," said he. "I pray your Majesty most
graciously to pardon me--[_aside_--but after all they taste remarkably
either of the ark or of a cupboard]. But what in all the world sort of
breakfast are you making, Petrea? Nay, dear sister, such, a superfluity
in eating never can prosper. I pray you do not eat yourself ill!"

Petrea, who had her curious fancies, or as Louise called them,
her "raptures," had now for some time had the fancy to take only a
glass of cold water and a piece of dry bread for her breakfast. On
account of this abstinence, Henrik now jested, and Petrea answered
him quite gaily; Louise, on the contrary, took up the matter quite
seriously, and thought--as many others did--that this whim of Petrea's
had a distant relationship to folly; and folly, Louise--the sensible
Louise--considered the most horrible of horrors; Louise, who was so very
sensible!

"Now, really, you must not sit gossiping any longer!" exclaimed the
father, when he saw their mouths only put in motion by conversation,
"else I must go away and leave you; and I should very much like to go
into the garden with you first."

A general rising followed these words, and all betook themselves to the
garden, with the exception of Leonore, who was unwell, and the little
Gabriele, who had to be careful on account of the damp.

In the me