tself in
Judge Frank's demeanour, and which perhaps was visible at the very time
of his respectful but simple greeting of his Excellency, called forth in
him also a momentary appearance of height. But this pride soon vanished
from both sides. These two men knew and valued each other mutually; and
it was not long before they were so deeply engrossed by conversation,
that his Excellency forgot his journey, not for one only, but for two
hours.

"I lament over Stroe and its dinner," said his Excellency, preparing to
take his departure; "how they must have waited there! But we could not
possibly help it."

After his Excellency had departed, he left behind him a bright
impression on all the family of Franks, not one of whom did not feel
animated in a beneficial manner by his behaviour and his words. Jacobi
in his joy made a high _entre-chat_, and embracing Louise, said, "Now,
Louise, what say you to the man? And we have got a pupil that will draw
at least twenty after him!"

Louise was perfectly reconciled to his Excellency.

From this day forth Bergstroem began a new era; whatever happened in the
family was either before or after the visit of his Excellency.

* * * * *

"Ah, then, my goodness! that it should be Excellency O----!" said the
dear sister Bask to the dear sister Suur.

"Yes, just think! That he should come solely, and for no other purpose,
than to visit the Franks, and breakfast there, and stop several hours
there! He is a cousin, of the Judge's lady."

"Her cousin! Bah! no more her cousin than I am the king's cousin;
positively not!"

"Yes, yes! or why else should he have called her 'my gracious cousin?'
And one must confess that there is something refined and genteel about
her--and such hands as she has have I never seen!"

"Hum! There's no art in looking genteel and having beautiful hands, when
one goes about the house like a foolish thing, washing one's hands in
rose-water, and all the livelong day doing not one sensible act. That I
know well enough!"

"Yes, yes! they who will be of any use in their house cannot keep such
hands, and sit the whole day and read romances! I should like to know
how it would have gone with the blessed Suur's baking business--to which
at last he added the grocery--if I had been a genteel lady! Not at all,
because I should not have done it. Sweet sister, know that I once had my
whims--yes, and a turn for scribbling and writing. Yes, so he