one else
knew how to mix it so well, before the Justice was informed that Herr
von Pranken had arrived. The Justice went down, his wife detained
Bella, and Lina, looking out of the window, saw that Pranken decidedly
refused to come in for a moment. Bella now drove away, after taking a
very hasty leave.

When she had gone, it seemed to all as if the court had withdrawn; they
drew near to each other in a more confidential way, and had for the
first time a really easy and home-like feeling.

The English ladies were the first to take their departure; the rest
would not be less genteel than they, and in a short time the parents
and the child were by themselves.

The wife took her husband into an adjoining room, and impressed upon
him very earnestly, that it was the duty of a Justice to keep his
district clean.

The Justice was faithful in his office, and whoever spoke of him would
always affirm that he was the best man in the world. But he had no
particular zeal for his calling; he was in the habit of saying,--Why am
I mixed up with the affairs of other people? If I were a man of
property, I would have nothing to do with the quarrels of other
persons, but live quietly and contentedly to myself. But inasmuch as he
had been inducted into the office, he performed its duties with
fidelity. He was very reluctant to come to the determination to
interfere in the matter of Eric, and he consented only when his wife
told him in so many words, that the countess Bella had expressed the
wish that he should.

They had come to the best understanding, when suddenly a slam, crash,
and shriek were heard. Lina had let fall a whole tray full of cups.

The Justice's wife could not give a more satisfactory evidence of her
serene content, than by saying, as she did, to Lina,--

"Be quiet, dear child. The mischief is done; it's of no sort of
account. Cheer up, you've looked so blooming, and now you're so pale. I
could almost thank God for sending us this trifling mishap, for in
every joy there must be some little sorrow intermingled."

Lina was quiet, for she could not tell what she was thinking of when
the coffee-tray fell out of her hands.

CHAPTER V.

THE WORLD-SOUL.

"Why did you not look in, for a moment, upon the worthy people?" asked
Bella of her brother, after they had both taken their seats in the
carriage.

Whenever she came from a company where she had be