ting the box himself, away the next moment dashed
the landau with its four prancing bays. Jacobi laid his hand on his
heart, a choking sensation seemed to deprive him of breath, and with
tears in his eyes he watched the handsome departing carriage. He was
roused out of his painful observations by the voice of Petrea, who
jestingly announced to him that the enviable happiness awaited him of
driving herself and the Assessor in the Medewi-carriage. He took his
former seat in silence; his heart was full of disquiet; and
intentionally he remained far behind the others, in order that he might
not have the least glimpse of the landau.

Scarcely had the Medewi-carriage again made acquaintance with the ruts
of the road, than a violent shock brought off one of the fore wheels,
and the Candidate, Petrea, and the Assessor, were tumbled one over the
other into the mud. Quickly, however, they were all three once again on
their feet; Petrea laughing, and the Assessor scolding and fuming. When
Jacobi had discovered that all which had life was unhurt, he looked
lightly on the affair, and began to think how best it might be remedied.
A short council was held in the rain, and it was concluded that Jacobi
should remain with the carriage till some one came to his assistance,
and that in the mean time Petrea and the Assessor should make the best
of their way on foot towards the city, and send, as soon as possible,
some people to his help. A labourer, who came by immediately afterwards,
promised to do the same, and Petrea and Assessor Munter, who, however,
was anything but consistent with his name, began their walk through rain
and mud. All this while, however, Petrea became more joyful and happy:
firstly, all this was an adventure for her; secondly, she never before
had been out in such weather; thirdly, she felt herself so light and
unencumbered as she scarcely ever had done before; and because she
looked upon her clothes as given up to fate--to a power against which
none other on earth could contend, she walked on in joy of heart,
splashing through the puddles, and feeling with great delight how the
rain penetrated her dress, and seeing how the colour was washed away
both from shawl and bonnet. She held her nose high in the air, in order
to enjoy the glorious rain.

Petrea had in all this a resemblance to her brother, and flattered
herself also that she might have some resemblance to Diogenes; and as
her inclination lay towards extremes,