many processes about kisses. Louise wished to establish a law that not
more than three a day should be allowed, against which Jacobi protested
both by word and deed, on which occasions Gabriele always ran away
hastily and indignantly.

Petrea read English with Louise, arranged little festivities for her and
the family; wept every evening over Sara, and beat her brains every
morning over "the Creation of the World," whilst the good parents
watched ever observantly over them all.

No one, however, enjoyed the present circumstances of the family so much
as Henrik. After he had succeeded in inducing his sisters to use more
lively exercise and exhilaration, he devoted himself more exclusively to
his favourite studies, history and philosophy. Often he took his book
and wandered with it whole days in the country, but every evening at
seven he punctually joined the family circle, and was there the merriest
of the merry.

"We live now right happily," said he one evening in confidential
discourse with his mother; "and I, for my part, never enjoyed life so
much. I feel now that my studies will really mend, and that something
can be made of me. And when I have studied for a whole day, and that not
fruitlessly either, and then come of an evening to you and my sisters,
and see all here so friendly, so bright and cheerful, life seems so
agreeable! I feel myself so happy, and almost wish it might always
remain as it is now."

"Ah, yes!" answered the mother, "if we could always keep you with us, my
Henrik! But I know that won't do; you must soon leave us again; and
then, when you have finished your studies, you must have your own
house."

"And then, mother, you shall come to me!" This had been years before,
and still was Henrik's favourite theme, and the mother listened
willingly to it.

Several poems which Henrik wrote about this time seemed to indicate the
most decided poetical talent, and gave his mother and sisters the
greatest delight, whilst they excited, at the same time, great attention
among the friends of the family. The Judge alone looked on gloomily.

"You will spoil him," exclaimed he one evening to his wife and
daughters, "if you make him fancy that he is something extraordinary,
before he is in anything out of the common way. I confess that his
poetising is very much against my wish. When one is a man, one should
have something much more important to do than to sigh, and sing about
this and that future life. If