ish miles.

[11] Merry, in Swedish.

CHAPTER IX.

THE RETURN HOME.

What was it that Jacobi and Henrik had so much to arrange together
before their departure from Axelholm, and even whilst they were there?
Petrea's curiosity was terribly excited, but she could not come at any
clue by which to satisfy it. Some kind of plot which concerned the
family, seemed to be in agitation.

Henrik and his friend had long intended to give a little entertainment
to the family, and the opportunity to do so now seemed favourable, as
well as also to combine it with an agreeable surprise; the scene of
which should be a pretty and good Inn, half way between Axelholm and the
city. Here, on their return, they would halt under pretence of some
repair being necessary to one of the carriages, and the ladies should be
persuaded to enter the house, where, in the mean time, all should be
prepared.

The two friends had greatly delighted themselves over this scheme, and
in order to obtain for Louise her favourite luxury of ices, Jacobi had
drained his already reduced purse.

In going to Axelholm the family had so divided themselves that Louise
with Petrea went in what is called a Medewi-carriage, the Judge's own
equipage, which was driven by Jacobi, with whom Henrik sate on the
driving-box, whilst the mother and the other daughters went in a covered
hired carriage, driven by the Judge himself. On the return, the same
arrangement was to be observed, with the difference of Jacobi driving
the large carriage, and Henrik driving his sisters.

The mother, and even the young gentlemen, declared with becoming
discretion that they would not confide the reins to less skilful hands,
because the road was rough and hilly, and moreover bad from rain.
Notwithstanding all this, however, Jacobi intrigued so that, contrary to
the established arrangement, he mounted the coach-box of the young
ladies, and Henrik that of his mother. But the Candidate had not much
pleasure from so doing, since "the object" was no longer such as she was
during the drive thither. At that time she was more cheerful than
common; rejoiced so heartily over the spring air, over the song of the
lark; over fields, and cows, and cottages, and over everything that she
saw, communicating all her delight to Jacobi, who sate all the way on
the driving-box with his face turned towards the carriage (Henrik
solemnly advised him to fix himself in this reversed position), and
their blue e