ed afterwards in the family Stjernhoek's
star. All gathered themselves around the interesting and well-informed
young man. The Judge took the greatest delight in his conversation, and
asserted before his family more than once his pleasure in him, and the
hopes which the nation itself might have of him. The young student of
Mining was a favourite with the Judge also because, besides his
extraordinary knowledge, he behaved always with the greatest respect
towards older and more experienced persons.

"See, Henrik," said his father to him one day, after a conversation with
Stjernhoek, "what _I_ call poetry, real poetry; it is this--to tame the
rivers, and to compel their wild falls to produce wealth and comfort,
whilst woods are felled on their banks and corn-fields cultivated; human
dwellings spring up, and cheerful activity and joyful voices enliven the
country. Look! that may be called a beautiful creation!"

Henrik was silent.

"But," said Gabriele, with all her natural refinement, "to be happy in
these homes, they must be able to read a pleasant book or to sing a
beautiful song, else their lives, spite of all their waterfalls, would
be very dry!"

The Judge smiled, kissed his little daughter, and tears of delight
filled his eyes.

Henrik, in the mean time, had gone into another room and seated himself
at a window. His mother followed him.

"How do you feel, my Henrik?" said she affectionately, gently taking
away the hand which shaded his eyes. His hand was concealing his tears.
"My good, good youth!" exclaimed she, her eyes also overflowing with
tears, and throwing her arms around him. "Now see!" began she
consolingly, "you should not distress yourself when your father speaks
in a somewhat one-sided manner. You know perfectly well how infinitely
good and just he is, and that if he be only once convinced of the
genuineness of your poetic talent, he will be quite contented. He is
only now afraid of your stopping short in mediocrity. He would be
pleased and delighted if you obtained honour in your own peculiar way."

"Ah!" said Henrik, "if I only knew whether or not I had a peculiar
way--a peculiar vocation. But since Stjernhoek has been here, and I have
talked with him, everything, both externally and internally, seems
altered. I don't any longer understand myself. Stjernhoek has shown me
how very little I know of that which I supposed myself to know a great
deal, and what bungling my work is! I see it now perfec