the arms of her mother and sisters.

After this, he and Henrik returned to the burning house, from which they
were fortunate enough to save the desk containing the Judge's most
valuable papers. A few trifles, but of no great importance, were also
saved. But this was all. The house was of wood, and spite of every
effort to save it, was burned, burned, burned to the ground, but, as it
stood detached, without communicating the fire to any other.

When Henrik, enfeebled with his exertions, returned to his family, he
found them all quartered in the small dwelling of the Assessor, which
also lay in the market-place; while Jeremias seemed suddenly to have
multiplied himself into ten persons, in order to provide his guests with
whatever they required. His old housekeeper, what with the fire, and
what with so many guests who were to be provided for in that
simply-supplied establishment, was almost crazed. But he had help at
hand for everybody: he prepared coffee, he made beds, and seemed
altogether to forget his own somewhat severe personal injuries by the
fire. He joked about himself and his affairs at the same time that he
wiped tears from his eyes, which he could not but shed over the
misfortunes of his friends. Affectionate and determined, he provided for
everything and for every one; whilst Louise and Leonore assisted him
with quiet resolution.

"Wilt thou be reasonable, coffee-pot, and not boil over like a
simpleton, since thou hast to provide coffee for ladies!" said the
Assessor in jesting anger. "Here, Miss Leonore, are drops for the mother
and Eva. Sister Louise, be so good as to take my whole storeroom in
hand; and you, young sir," said he to Henrik, as he seized him suddenly
by the arm, and gazed sharply into his face, "come you with me, for I
must take you rather particularly in hand."

There was indeed not a moment to lose; a violent effusion of blood from
the chest, placed the young man's life in momentary danger. Munter tore
off his coat, and opened a vein at the very moment in which he lost all
consciousness.

"What a silly fellow!" said the Assessor, as Henrik breathed again, "how
can anybody be so silly when he is such--a clever fellow! Nay, now all
danger for the time is over. Death has been playing his jokes with us
to-night! Now, like polite knights, let us be again in attendance on the
ladies. Wait, I must just have a little water for my face, that I need
not look, any more than is necessary, like 'th