smiled, and assured her that after so much study people required
relaxation.

"Yes, you doubtless study in handsome boots!" said the young lady, and
in a friendly manner turned toward Sophie. "Good heavens, miss!" she
exclaimed, "how the sun has burnt your nose! That looks horrible! Don't
you ever wear a veil? you, who otherwise look so well!"

Otto was a stranger to her. He escaped such unpleasant remarks. "They
should spend the whole day there," insisted Miss Jakoba; but mamma spoke
of being at home by noon.

"Nothing will come of that!" said Jakoba. "I have expected you; and we
have cooked a dinner, and made preparations, and I will not have had
all this trouble in vain. There are some especial dishes for you, and of
these you shall eat." This was all said in such a good-humored tone that
even a stranger could not have felt himself offended. The Kammerjunker
was in the fields looking after his flax; he would soon be back. Squire
Wilhelm could in the mean time conduct Mr. Thostrup about the premises:
"he would otherwise have nothing to do," said she.

No one must remain in the sitting-room; it was so gloomy there! The
walls were still, as in by-gone days, covered with black leather, upon
which were impressed gold flowers. No, they should go to the hall--that
had been modernized since the Baroness was last there. The old
chimney-piece with carved ornaments was removed, and a pretty porcelain
stove had taken its place. The walls were covered with new paper from
Paris. You could there contemplate all the public buildings of that
city,--Notre Dame, Saint Sulpice, and the Tuileries. Long red curtains,
thrown over gilt rods, hung above the high windows. All this splendor
was admired.

"I prefer the antique sitting-room, after all," said Sophie; "the old
chimney-piece and the leather hangings. One fairly lives again in the
days of chivalry!"

"Yes, you have always been a little foolish!" said Jakoba, but softened
her words by a smile and a pressure of the hand. "No, the hall is more
lively. Ah!" she suddenly exclaimed; "Tine has placed her work-box in
the window! That is disorder!"

"O, is that the celebrated work-box, with its many fool's tricks?"
inquired Wilhelm, as he laughingly took it up.

"There are neither fools nor tricks in the box," said Jakoba. "But only
look in the mirror in the lid, and then you will perhaps see one of the
two."

"No rude speeches, my young lady!" said Wilhelm; "I am an academical
b