gen.

Sophie knew how to introduce a number of little anecdotes, which she had
gathered among the young ladies there. Otto entered into her ideas, and
knew cleverly how to support what she said. What in reality interested
young ladies was discussed.

"When a girl is confirmed, all manner of fancies awake!" said Otto. "She
experiences a kind of inclination for the heart of man; but this may
not be acknowledged, except for two friends to the clergyman and the
physician. For these she has quite a passion, especially for the
former; she stands in a kind of spiritual rapport with him. His physical
amiability melts into the spiritual. Thus her first love one may
designate clergyman-love."

"That is well said!" exclaimed Sophie.

"He preaches himself so deeply into her heart!" pursued Otto. "She melts
into tears, kisses his hand, and goes to church; but not for the sake of
God, but on account of the sweet clergyman!"

"O, I know that so well!" said Sophie, and laughed.

"Fie! you do not mean so!" said Louise; "and I do not know how you can
say such a thing Mr. Thostrup! That is frightful! You do not in the
least know a young girl's soul! do not know the pure feeling with which
she inclines herself to the man who has laid open before her the holy
things of religion! Do not make sport of the innocent, the pure, which
is so far removed from every earthly impression!"

"I assure you," said Otto, smiling, "were I a poet, I would make the
clergyman-love ridiculous in a hundred witty epigrams; and were I a
teacher, I would protest against it from the chair."

"That would be scattering poison into a well!" said Louise. "You, as a
man, do not know the pure, the holy sentiment which exists in a young
girl's bosom. Eva, thou art certainly of my opinion?"

"Neither is this Mr. Thostrup's opinion?" answered she, and looked at
him with a mild gravity.

Wilhelm laughed aloud.

CHAPTER XXXIV

"Alas, I am no sturdy oak!
Alas, I'm but the flower
That wakes the kiss of May!
And when has fled its little hour,
Will voice of Death obey."--RUCKERT.

The following afternoon came visitors--two young ladies from Nyborg,
friends of Sophie and Louise. Before dinner they would take a walk
through the wood to an inclosure where the flax was in bloom. Otto was
to accompany them.

"I am also of the party!" said the Kammerjunker, who just galloped into
the court-yard as the ladies, with Otto, were about set