tears.

It was at the same time calming and disturbing to her feelings, when
Mrs. Astrid, after she had quietly listened to Susanna, answered with
much composure--

"You are at liberty, Susanna, to act as you find it best; but in three
or four months, for so long will my affairs yet retain me here--in a few
months I shall again return, to Semb, and it would be a trial to me to
be without you on the journey."

"Then I shall accompany you," replied Susanna, glad that she was needed,
"but then ..."

"Then," began again Mrs. Astrid, "when you will leave me, I shall
arrange for your safe return to your native place."

"So then yet some months!" thought Susanna with a melancholy pleasure.
And these months were for her inexpressibly pleasant and strengthening.
Mrs. Astrid occupied herself much with her, and sought in many
particulars to supply the defects of her neglected education. And
Susanna was a quick pupil, and more affectionately than ever did she
attach herself to her mistress, while she on her part experienced even
more and more the truth of the adage: "the breath of youth is
wholesome."

In the beginning of the month of July, Mrs. Astrid travelled again with
Susanna over the mountains which had once threatened them with death;
but at this season of the year, the journey was not dangerous, though
always laborious. Mrs. Astrid was the whole time in the highest spirits,
and seemed every day to become more joyous. Susanna's mood of mind, on
the contrary, became every day more depressed. Even Mrs. Astrid's gaiety
contributed to this. She felt herself infinitely solitary.

It was a beautiful July evening when they descended into Heimdal.
Susanna's heart swelled with sadness as she saw again the places and the
objects which were so dear to her, and which she should now soon quit
for ever. Never had they struck her as so enchanting. She saw the sun's
beams fall on the Kristallberg, and she called to mind Harald's sagas;
she saw the grove of oaks where Mrs. Astrid had sate and had enjoyed the
fragrance which Susanna's hand had prepared for her in silence. And the
spring where the silver-weed and the ladies-mantle grew, the clear
spring where she had spent so many happy hours; Susanna seemed to
_thirst_ for it. The windows in Semb burned with the radiance of the
sun, the house seemed to be illuminated;--in that house she had worked
and ordered; there she had loved; there the flame of the winter evenings
had burned so