n conceal the mighty body, a grain of
dust lead us from these sublime thoughts. A letter came for Miss Sophie;
a traveller brought it from her mother: she was already in Funen, and
announced her safe arrival.

"And the news?" said the hostess.

"Mamma has hired a new maid, or, rather, she has taken to be with her
an amiable young girl--the pretty Eva in Roeskelde. Mr. Thostrup and
Wilhelm related to us this summer several things about her which make
her interesting. We saw her on our journey hither, when mamma was
prepossessed by her well-bred appearance. Upon her return, the young
girl has quite won her heart. It really were a pity if such a pretty,
respectable girl remained in a public-house. She is very pretty; is she
not, Mr. Thostrup?"

"Very pretty!" answered Otto, becoming crimson, for Sophie said this
with an emphasis which was not without meaning.

The following day, at an early hour, Otto found himself at the
merchant's.

Spite of the changeable weather of our climate, all the ladies were in
their best dresses. Three persons must sit upon each seat. Hans Peter
and the lover had their place beside the coachman. It was a long time
before the cold meat, the provision for several days, was packed up, and
the whole company were seated. At length, when they had got out of the
city, Christiane recollected that they had forgotten the umbrellas, and
that, after all, it would be good to have them. The coachman must go
back for them, and meantime the carriage drew up before the Column of
Liberty. The poor sentinel must now become an object of Miss Grethe's
interest. Several times the soldier glanced down upon his regimentals.
He was a Kraehwinkler, who had an eye to his own advantage. A man who
rode past upon a load of straw occupied a high position. That was very
interesting.

Otto endeavored to give the conversation another direction. "Have
not you seen the new poem which has just appeared, the 'Letters of a
Wandering Ghost?'" asked he, and sketched out their beauty and tendency.

"Doubtless, very heavy blows are dealt!" said Mr. Berger, "the man must
be witty--Baggesen to the very letter."

"The 'Copenhagen Post' is called the pump!" said Hans Peter.

"That is superb!" cried Grethe. "Who does it attack besides?"

"Folks in Soroe, and this 'Holy Andersen,' as they call him."

"Does he get something?" said Laide. "That I will grant him for his milk
and water. He was so impolite toward the ladies!"

"I lik