without first of all becoming a thinking being. If
he were this, I promise you that I should rejoice over my son, let him
be what profession he would--a worker in thought or a worker in
mountains. And for this very reason one must be careful not to value too
highly these poetical blossoms. If vanity remains in him he never will
covet serious renown in anything."

"You are right, Ernst," said his wife, with all the cordiality of inward
conviction.

* * * * *

Henrik also longed earnestly for Stjernhoek's arrival. He wished to show
him his work; he longed to measure his new historical and philosophical
knowledge against that of his friend; he longed, in one word, to be
esteemed by him; for Henrik's gentle and affectionate nature had always
felt itself powerfully attracted by the energetic and, as one may say,
metallic nature of the other, and ever since the years of their boyhood
had the esteem and friendship of Stjernhoek been the goal of Henrik's
endeavours, and of his warm, although till now unattainable, wishes.
Stjernhoek had hitherto always behaved towards Henrik with a certain
friendly indifference, never as a companion and friend.

Stjernhoek came. He was received by the whole family with the greatest
cordiality, but by no one with a warmer heart than Henrik.

There was even externally the greatest dissimilarity between these two
young men. Henrik was remarkable for extraordinary, almost feminine
beauty; his figure was noble but slender, and his glance glowing though
somewhat dreamy. Stjernhoek, some years Henrik's senior, had become early
a man. All with him was muscular, firm, and powerful; his countenance
was intelligent without being handsome, and a star as it were gleamed in
his clear, decided eye; such a star as is often prophetic of fate, and
over whose path fortunate stars keep watch.

Some days after Stjernhoek's arrival Henrik became greatly changed. He
had become quiet, and there was an air of depression on his countenance.
Stjernhoek now, as he had always done, did not appear unfriendly to
Henrik, but still paid but little attention to him. He occupied himself
very busily, partly with trying chemical experiments with Jacobi and the
ladies, and partly in the evening, and even into the night, in making
astronomical observations with his excellent telescope. One of the
beaming stars to which the observations of the young astronomer were
industriously directed was call