“I think you are jesting with me, sir,” said Nanna laughing so heartily that the roses instantly returned to her cheeks.

“I jest with you!”

“Of course.  Miss Sophia is so serious and thoughtful that no person would call her roguish.”

“Were you not as quiet as an old prayer-book the first time I saw you?” replied Gottlieb.

“And even if it was so—­”

“Just look into the water, my little miss, and tell me whether you look as you used to.”

“Then you would say, Mr. Gottlieb, that by some magic spell you have driven away Miss Sophia’s gloominess?”

“Yes, I can say Miss Sophia’s also.”

“Also?—­that is a bold speech!”

“Are you angry?”

“Oh, Gottlieb!”

“Ah, Miss Nanna.  Are you weeping?”

“Mr. Gottlieb may be mischievous and tantalizing enough to compel me to do so; but this time he has not succeeded.”

“Well, as I cannot force you to weep, I must confess the truth, and that is—­”

“That you have seen neither of them,” interrupted Nanna.

“Not that, there you are mistaken, for I called at the parsonage one evening with my aunt, and I was so much pleased with the young ladies, that now I am here with you, while they are at Almvik, where they arrived this morning.  What do you think of that?”

* * * * *

What Nanna thought Gottlieb did not learn; but he soon was made acquainted with his aunt Ulrica’s opinion concerning his absence.  Gottlieb arrived at the latticed gate of the court-yard at Almvik, just in time to salute the young ladies from the parsonage as they drove forth from the yard on their return home.  They appeared somewhat displeased, and returned Gottlieb’s bow with a stiff and cold salute.

Mr. Fabian observed with pleasure, the cloud which shadowed the brow of his beloved Ulrica, foretelling the storm that was to burst forth; but not on himself.

“Nephew Gottlieb,” said Aunt Ulrica drawing the young man aside, “you have to-day for the first time afforded me an unpleasant surprise.”

“In what manner, dear aunt,” replied Gottlieb.

“Is it your custom when in your father’s house to remain away all day when young ladies are visiting your parents?”

“Nothing would have been thought about it if such had been the case.  My mother is not overfond of such strict principles of etiquette.”

“That is to be regretted, for boys who have not been carefully guided, rarely become gallant and well behaved young men; but we will say no more on that subject.”

“In that I concur.”

“We will therefore confine ourselves to that subject to which an innate knowledge guides us.”

“That leads us back upon the same road.”

“On the contrary, my young friend, if you will permit me to follow my own course I will place you on the road to heaven.”