with us, who love you
solely, and for your own sake?"

Henrik pressed his sister's arm to his side, but answered nothing; and a
violent passing gust of wind compelled him to stand still for a moment.

"Horrible weather!" said he, wrapping his cloak round his sister at the
same time.

"But this is your favourite weather," remarked she jestingly.

"_Was_, you should say," returned he; "now I do not like it, perhaps
because it produces a feeling in me which distresses me." With these
words he took his sister's hand and laid it on his heart. His heart beat
wildly and strongly; its beating was almost audible.

"Heavens!" exclaimed Leonore, alarmed, "Henrik, what is this?--is it
often thus?"

"Only occasionally;--I have had it now for some time," replied he; "but
don't be uneasy on this account; and, above all things, say nothing to
my mother or Gabriele about it. I have spoken with Munter on the
subject; he has prescribed for me, and does not think it of much
consequence. To-day I have had it without intermission, and perhaps I am
from that cause somewhat hypochondriacal. Forgive me, dear Leonore, that
I have teased you about it. I am much better and livelier now; this
little walk has done me good--if you only don't get cold, Leonore, or
you would certainly be punished, or at all events be threatened, with
Louise's elixir. But does there not drive a travelling carriage towards
our door, exactly as if it would stop there? Can it be Eva? The carriage
stops--it is certainly Eva!"

"Eva! Eva!" exclaimed Leonore, with cordial delight; and both brother
and sister ran so quickly to the gate that she was received into their
arms as she dismounted from the carriage.

CHAPTER IV.

EVA.

Among the agreeable circumstances which occur in a happy home may
certainly be reckoned the return to its bosom of one of its beloved
members. So returns the bee to the safe hive with her harvest of honey,
after her flight abroad over the meadows of the earth. How much is there
not mutually to relate, to hear, to see, and to enjoy! Every cloud in
the heaven of home vanishes then; all is sunshine and joy; and it must
be bad indeed if they do not find one another lovelier and improved, for
when everything goes on right here, every advancing footstep in life
must tend in a certain manner to improvement.

Bright, indeed, did Eva's return make the hours of sunshine in the Frank
family! The mutual love which demonstrated itself in embra