e will now see the sisters in their chamber.

Louise seemed pensive, she sat silently looking before her.

Sophie stood thoughtfully with a smile upon her lips.

"The Kammerjunker is very handsome, however!" exclaimed she: "he looks
so manly!"

"You ought to find him love-worthy!" said Louise.

"Yes," replied her sister, "I have always admired these strong
countenances! He is an Axel--a northern blackbearded savage. Faces such
as Wilhelm's look like ladies'! And he is so good! He has said, that
immediately after our marriage we shall make a tour to Hamburg. What
dress do you think I should wear?"

"When you make the journey to Hamburg?" inquired Louise.

"O no, child! to-day I mean. Thostrup was indeed very polite! he
congratulated me! I felt, however, rather curious when it was told to
him. I had quite expected a scene! I was almost ready to beg of you
to tell him first of all. He ought to have been prepared. But he was,
however, very rational! I should not have expected it from him. I really
wish him all good, but he is an extraordinary character! so melancholy!
Do you think that he will take my betrothal to heart? I noticed that
when I was kissed he turned himself suddenly round to the window and
played with the flowers. I wish that he would soon go! The journey
into foreign countries will do him good--there he will soon forget his
heart's troubles. To-morrow I will write to Cousin Joachim; he will also
be surprised!"

Late in the afternoon came Jakoba, the Mamsell, the preacher, and yet a
few other guests.

In the evening the table was arranged festively. The betrothed sat
together, and Otto had the place of honor--he sat on the other side
of Sophie. The preacher had written a song to the tune of "Be thou
our social guardian-goddess;" this was sung. Otto's voice sounded
beautifully and strong; he rang his glass with the betrothed pair, and
the Kammerjunker said that now Mr. Thostrup must speedily seek out a
bride for himself.

"She is found," answered Otto; "but now that is yet a secret."

"Health to the bride!" said Sophie, and rung her glass; but soon again
her intellectual eye rested upon the Kammerjunker, who was talking about
asparagus and stall-feeding with clover, yet her glance brought him back
again to the happiness of his love.

It was a very lively evening. Late in the night the party broke up. The
friends went to their chamber.

"My dear, faithful Otto!" said Wilhelm, and laid his hand on