Summary

As the story begins, we meet the two central characters, a young Danish squire named Sigismund and his new wife, Lovisa. The couple, who have been married only one week, are out for a walk on their land.

Sigismund and Lovisa's courtship was not an easy one. Lovisa's parents are from a higher social class than Sigismund's are, and they initially disapproved of their relationship. As a result, for ten years, the couple met secretly. Lovisa's parents eventually relented and the couple married.

The newlyweds are very happy and are particularly relieved that they can now be seen together in public without fear of evoking their parents' anger. They seem to take pleasure in everyday things: carriage rides, sharing meals and their dogs and sheep.

Lovisa seems to be particularly happy with her new life. Even though their lifestyle is far...