r grandfather. The
company is numerous, and I was looking only at your friend."

"We see that you came from the North," replied Swaning; "we shall soon
thaw you out here. You shall learn soon to look after pretty faces."

They were now ready, and returned to the hall, where in the mean time
preparations for supper had been made. The old Swaning led Henry to
Klingsohr, and told him that Henry had noticed him particularly, and
ardently desired to become acquainted with him.

Henry was confused. Klingsohr spoke kindly to him of his fatherland and
of his journey. There was so much to inspire confidence in his voice,
that Henry soon gained courage and conversed with him freely. After a
little while Swaning came to them again, bringing with him the
beautiful Matilda.

"You must receive my grandson kindly, and pardon him that he has
noticed your father before you. Your bright eyes will awaken his youth
within him. In his native land Spring comes too late."

Henry and Matilda blushed. They gazed admiringly upon each other. She
asked him, with scarcely audible words, whether he was fond of dancing.
While he was answering in the affirmative, the merry music struck up.
He silently offered her his hand; she accepted it, and they mingled
among the rows of waltzers. Swaning and Klingsohr looked on. The mother
and the merchants were delighted with Henry's grace and with his lovely
partner. The mother had enough to converse about with the friends of
her youth, who wished her much happiness from so well educated and
hopeful a son.

Klingsohr said to Swaning,--"Your grandson has an attractive
countenance; it indicates a clear and comprehensive mind, and his voice
comes deep from his heart."

"I hope," replied Swaning, "that he will become your docile pupil. It
seems to me that he is born for a poet. May your spirit fall upon him.
He looks like his father, only he seems more ardent and excitable. The
former was a youth of superior talents. He was wanting, however, in a
certain liberality of mind. He might hare become something more than an
industrious and able mechanic."

Henry wished that the dance would never end. With heartfelt pleasure
his eyes rested on the roses of his partner. Her innocent eye did not
avoid his. She appeared like the spirit of her father in the most
lovely disguise. Eternal youth spoke from her full and quiet eyes. Upon
a light blue ground lay the mild splendor of the brown stars. Her
forehead and nose we