serts--here, through the worm that never dies, and
there, in the fire that is never quenched! Amen.'

'You are pale, colonel!' cried Arwed, suddenly giving Megret a
searching look. 'Are you ill?'

'I was heated when I entered the church,' answered Megret in a faint
voice, placing his hand upon his forehead; 'and this place seems to me
to be very cold. I feel as though suffering from an ague fit, which
however a few moments in the open air will dissipate.'

He retired with uncertain steps. All followed him with looks of
surprise and inquiry, and a long pause ensued.

'Is it now your excellency's pleasure,' said the pastor to the
governor, 'to ascend the church tower and thence, like Charles XI,
observe the circular course of the day-star?'

'I thank you, sir pastor,' answered the governor. 'I have already
looked me out a place upon the level ground, where we can better enjoy
the beauties of nature together with this rare spectacle, than from so
high a point of view, and you will do me a pleasure by accompanying
us.'

The pastor accepted the invitation. The party left the church, and,
without encountering Megret on their way, entered a boat in readiness
for the occasion, and were conveyed to a small island which appeared to
swim in the stream, opposite the town of Tornea. A solitary house,
surrounded by some small huts, and a wind-mill, stood near the
landing-place. The travelers, ascending, laid themselves upon the bank,
their faces turned towards the sun, and silently enjoyed the view, at
once attractive and awful, there presented to them.

The still, clear waters of the Tornea and Munio, upon which white
fishing sails were gliding here and there, blushed in the rays of the
evening sun, and were adorned on either side by high bushy banks. In
the middle ground, the city, with its spires, was sweetly reflected in
the peaceful waters. The back ground was closed by bare and sterile
heights which were linked into each other like a chain, and concealed
the opening through which the united streams rolled on in their course
toward the sea.

At the edge of the horizon, behind the city, shone the nocturnal sun
with rays that with difficulty dissipated the vapors collected by the
evening air, as the forerunners of a night, which, on this occasion,
was not permitted to make its appearance. The illumination had
something dismal about it, for the magnificent sphere seemed to have
lost the substance of its splendor as at the