"He lives. Perhaps it were better if he did not. His life has given no one pleasure. But his unquiet heart cannot rest till it has found another and a better heart to which to unite itself. He experienced early that misfortunethat crime, indeed-he was rejected by his mother. He then went wildly about in the world for a long time, and battled with life, with men, with himself. He sought he knew not what; he had early lost himself. He who reposes on the bosom of a mother or a wife-who holds the hand of a dear sister-he knows not, he understands not, the emptiness and the darkness which he feels who has no one in the great wide world—no one who loves him, and holds him fast in love, and sup-calls, tenderly, 'Come back!' no one who presses the repentant to his heart, and says, 'I forgive!' Is it to be wondered at that he who is thus cast off, wrecked in heart and hope, given as a prey to the winds-that he should wander wide, and into labyrinths of error? Serena, you condemn him?"

But Serena spoke no word, gave no look, in answer. She drew her hand from his; and, timid "Do you remember this circumstance?" asked as the bird flying to its nest, hastened to her aged Bruno, with emotion. "He remembers it him-grand-parents. Bruno looked darkly after the fast-speeding carriage; and I, my reader, now take a friendly leave of thee.

in the most violent agitation of mind; and, after he had for some moments walked vehemently to and fro in the room, he said to us, “I must now leave you. Forgive this scene. Think of me, and for me. Let me know what you undertake; and let what must come, come quickly. This waiting is hell!" In the same moment he was on horseback, and vanished with the rapidity of lightning.

God guide it to blessing, and not to destruction. ¡ soul, he cried, “Manage for me; I cannot do it! Serena was gone, and with her much joy, much I am cursed! Speak; prepare the way for me! pleasantness. No one felt it deeper than Bruno. See if I can go to her. Manage that, when I He came, as usual, in the evening, but was no come, she shall not spurn me away. Say that longer like himself. He came, saluted us gloom- I have suffered much-much. Let me repose on ily, was silent, went to and fro in a restless mood, her bosom. Till then can I find no rest. My of seated himself near the spot where Serena was mother! my mother!" accustomed to sit, and leaned his head on his Our tears flowed. We spoke to him tender, hand. Thus he sat a long time without a word; pacifying, comforting words. We promised to and only the vein on his forehead, which swelled act for him; we assured him that all should turn visibly, testified the contest in his mind. out well. But the storm which, at length, had Bear frequently fixed on him the still, observ-burst forth, could not quickly lay itself. He was ant eye of the physician, which seemed to watch the progress of the inward struggle, and await the crisis. He was friendly-yes, even with a sisterly kindness-towards Bruno; and I saw that he himself suffered, because his brother was unhappy. Bruno appeared sometimes as though he would say something; it seemed to me as if | he would ask, or would confess, something of that which lay heavy on his heart; but no such word came to solve the mystery, and all the conversation which we began ended with brief answers, or with his total silence. I must testify, however, that no bad humour-the demon with which little souls often tyrannise over those about them-discovered itself in the mood and manner of Bruno. One saw that he was in deep trouble, which rendered him deaf and dumb to all that was going on around him. We resolved, at last, to leave him to himself; and passed our evening as we usually do when we are alone-Bear with his joinery, and I reading aloud to him. Bruno might listen, if he were so disposed.

Bear and I stood vis-à-vis, and looked at each other as if the day of judgment had broken upon us. Bear forgot to drink his tea. I had never before seen him so disturbed. This filled me with wonder, for I had imagined that the affair, though it would be difficult to bring about, musi necessarily end happily, and the prodigal s must be once more received into his moth house. "It is not credible," I said, "that a mot will not receive, with open arms, her repent and returning son."

she will acknowledge and receive again her son, when she sees him, and learns his present mood of mind. I hope it—but how to arrive at that? How to prepare her for it, when the mere uttering of his name drives her from all propriety? will not answer for it, that her disorder of mind does not return. People like her and her son run, through the violence of their passions, on the very precipice of the gulf of madness. A touch may precipitate them."

"God preserve us!" I exclaimed.

"But, at all events, the attempt at reconciliation," said Bear, "must be made. Better that mother and son die in phrensy than in hate. But we must go cautiously to work. Ma chère mère must, in the first place, be sounded; her pulse must be felt; she is not a patient to be treated lightly."

"Oh, thou dost not yet fully know Ma chère mère," said Bear, half lost in himself. "In cerLast evening he came again, and was milder tain regions of her mind she is, as it were, petthan usual. He took Bear's andy hands, press-rified; and then her mental ailment! I hope that ed them, and said, "I am no agreeable guest for you, my friends; but have forbearance with me." He turned quietly away from us, and seated himself at the piano, where he played a stirring and stormy piece. Tea came in; I prepared it, and handed to Bear a large cup-he has always a particular teacup for himself, with ugly little blue cupids, which please him vastly. As I reached him this, and he, in his good-humour, kissed my hand, I know not how it happened-but he seemed so agreeable, so kind, so excellent-but I laid aside the teacup and basket of confections, and, seizing his great hand, pressed it to my heart with lively affection. Bear put one arm around me, but-oh, scandalous!-stretched out the other towards the cake-basket. I was still so good to him that I only scolded him jocosely for his divided love. Bear answered me in the same humour, when we were startled by a deep and We planned and pondered how the matter was painful sigh, more resembling, indeed, a sup-to be assayed. We took up and threw away pressed groan. We looked at Bruno, and saw scheme after scheme; and, at length, we resolved him pale, and with an expression not to be de- on the following. scribed, regarding us. "Oh, my God! my God!" It has now been for some time the custom, exclaimed he, slowly, while he laid his hand on when we are all assembled at Carlsfors in an his forehead, as in unspeakable agony; and now evening, to read aloud romances, or other light ran-no, started-tears from his eyes, with a vio- and amusing stories. I have generally been the lence which at once astonished and shocked me. reader, and Ma chère mère, who seldom asks after Bear stood up, and, with a unanimous impulse, any other books but the Bible and the cookerywe both approached Bruno. The iron bands book, yet seemed sometimes to listen with pleaswere now rent from his heart; he stretched out ure. Bear and I now resolved, the next evening his arms towards us, and cried, with a voice that we should spend at Carlsfors, to propose a which the most powerful emotion speedily cho-reading, and to be prepared with a story which ked again, "My mother! reconcile me with my mother!"

should be adapted to awake maternal feeling, and thus to allow us to observe the disposition of her Bear and I went to him; we opened our arms mind towards her son. If this appeared auspito him; we embraced him. He was nearly be-cious, then another step might be taker. What side himself. He pressed us with wild vehemence to his breast; and, in broken sentences, which seemed flung, as it were, from his tempested

this was to be we could not agree upor. I proposed that Bruno himself should then write to his mother; but this Bear rejected, as a measure

too startling and dangerous. He appeared rather, the world to grieve over, without having to cry to prefer some mode or office of mediator between over what one finds in books." mother and son. "It is a peculiarity of hers,” he said, "that what she reads on paper never operates very effectually on her feelings. She must read it in the eye, she must hear the voice, if the words are to reach her heart. Thou, my Fanny-"

"Thanks, my dear Bear, profoundest thanks for your good intentions. But, if possible, let this commission be spared me. I feel that I have not the courage to place myself between these two violent spirits. I might very readily be crushed to pieces. Knowest thou not the fable of the earthen pot?"

"Well, well, we will see. It is time enough to think of the second step when the first has been taken."

"And for this I will immediately prepare myself; while you are in the city, I will select a fitting subject, or fabricate one,"

"Good!

And so we have the weapons ready for the occasion. But recollect, my little Fanny, the drift must not be too apparent. If Ma chère mère suspects a hidden object, she will set herself immediately against it."

"I will do my best, Bear. At all events, you shall peruse and criticise my story before we venture to read it to Ma chère mère."

During the night-one obtains the clearest ideas in the dark-it became manifest to me what text I must avail myself of; and, as soon as Bear was gone away in the morning, I took out of my bookcase, which Bear has famously supplied, "Fryxell's Stories from the Swedish History," and began to read over and consider the narrative of Erik Stenbock and Malin Sture. The more I thought it over, the more satisfied I was with it; and scarcely had I gone through it a second time, when there came an invitation from Ma chère mère to spend the evening at Carlsfors, if we had nothing better to do. I returned thanks, and said we would come. Since this moment I have been nearly in a fever, and it was in the endeavour to relieve my restlessness that I have written this. Already this morning, before he left home, Bear wrote a few lines to Bruno to acquaint him with our plan. The answer, which the messenger brought back, I had opened during Bear's absence. It contained only the words, "Do what you think best.

BRUNO."

Afternoon. Bear has read the story, and is satisfied with it. We are setting out. Ah! Maria! this evening I am depressed and restless. I go to sound the depths of a heart; and on this moment how much depends! This thought lies painfully on mind and body. Adieu! adieu!

"I cannot promise,” I replied, "that_what I read shall be lively, but I think it very interesting; and, what is more, it is in all its parts historically true."

"That is always a recommendation," said she,
"and one must, therefore, adapt one's palate to
the provision-basket."
I began:

66 ERIK STENBOCK AND MALIN STURE.
"[From Malin's Own Family-book.']

"In the parish of Mörkö, in the province of Södermanland, in a deep running creek of the Ostsee, lies a little triangular island. On this stood a rock ninety feet high, from which could be, far and wide, overlooked the fields, the crags, and the navigable waters which lay around. This island, in the early times, had been a resort of the Vikinger; and deep caves were yet shown in the mountains, which were believed to have been the dwellings of these people, or used by them as prisons. Some believe that it was here, in the time of Ingiald Illväda, the Fylkis-king of Södermanland, that Granmar received the Seeking, Hjervard Ylfing, and Granmar's daughter, the beautiful Hildegrund, drank to Hjervard the health of Rolf Krake. The place is kalled Sijmonso (Sidmons island), which some explain to mean Seaman's Island. In the latter times, it has received, from its form, the name of Hörningsholm; and has been, by embankments, gradually converted into a peninsula. It was successively in the possession of the families of Folkunger, Ornefot, of Ulfvo, and the younger Sture; was strongly fortified, and often besieged, taken, and laid waste; the last time was in the reign of Christian the Tyrant.

"Svante Sture, son of Sten Sture the younger, who was married to Martha Lejonhufvud, afterward caused a castle to be built on the old site, which was a noble specimen of architecture, as it was strong through its situation and fortifications. The castle rose, on many fathoms deep of foundation-walls, four stories high, and was defended at the corners with strong towers. A conception of the wealth of Sture, and of the nobility of the time, may be formed, when we read that, at the wedding of Sigrid Sture with Thure Persson Bjelke, in the year 1562, fifty measures of wine, four tons of mead, a ton and a half of must, eight barrels of cherry brandy, twenty sheep, twenty-one swine, seventeen calves, four hogsheads of beer, forty-five oxen, two hundred hundred and fifty-three cans of honey, &c., were consumed. Through the confiscation of the Church property, in particular, a great number of estates fell to the nobles, and especially to Sture, the sole heir of so many mighty families. We were at Carlsfors. It was evening. The Through this vast wealth, through the unspotted lights stood on the green table in the drawing-glory of Sture's name, the marriage alliance with room, and we sat around. The important and Gustavus Vasa, and the distinguished qualities trying hour was come. I was in a strange state of many of the children, the house of Hörningof mind, and all the others were unusually silent sholm stood long, in the kingdom, second only and dull. Bear had taken up a penknife, and, in to royalty; and was the home of honour, pride, want of something to do, began to cut into the and joy. The joy vanished after the horrible table. Ma chère mère struck him lightly on the Sture murder, in the year 1567; but Madame hand, and then gave him a bundle of pens to Martha maintained its pride, since the family make. She then sat herself down to make a fish-had maintained its honour. Two surviving sons net, which is her customary evening employment; for her eyes are not strong enough to bear any finer work. "And now, little wife," she said to me, "read something to us; but let it be only something that is cheerful. One has enough in

23d.

and daughters promised also to restore the joy. During their minority, Madame Martha ruled the house of Hörningsholm, and all its dependant estates, with a vigour and ability which obtained her the surname of King Martha. At the same

time, she distinguished herself by her magnanimity. Erik the Fourteenth had murdered her husband and two of her sons. When, by the change of the dynasty, Erik's wife and children were dispersed through the country, without home and protection, Madame Martha took to her the daughter, Sigrid Vasa, then four years old, and brought her up with motherly tenderness and care."

"This history delights me,” said Ma chère mère, as I paused a moment in the reading; "it is good!" Ma chère mère raised herself erect, and looked as proud as if she herself had been King Martha. I am persuaded that she felt herself related to her. I proceeded.

her, which they did. Below, under the arch of the gateway, stood the horse, harnessed to a sledge, in which the lady, with her followers, seated herself. Stenbock placed himself behind, and drove away, while many of the servants looked on in the idea that it was merely a hunting excursion. But, as the nurse observed that Master Erik took the way towards the sea, and drove so rapidly, she suspected mischief, and began to cry out, 'What are you about, my dear lady? Reflect how angry your mother will be that you travel so unattended.' But Master Erik drew forth a blunderbuss and set it to the breast of the nurse, with the words, 'Silence! or you have spoken your last!' On the shore below, the cavalry came suddenly forward, surrounded the sledge, and placed themselves on each side, and then away went they, as fast as the horses could gallop, to Svärdsbro. They were tailors and sewers, with the richest stuffs of all kinds, who took the lady's measure, and began to make her clothes, while the cavalry kept guard round the house, so that no one could come in or go out.

"Erik Stenbock, the son of old Gustavus Olsson, of Torpa, and of Brita Lejonhufvud, went often, as a near relative, to Hörningsholm, and became passionately attached to Miss Malin, the second of the string of daughters. She returned his passion; but Madame Martha, on account of the near relationship, would not hear it even spoken of. They were, in fact, sisters' children. Stenbock sought to win his object by the ordinary "But exactly as Master Erik had gone off tomeans. He heaped presents on mother, sisters, wards the sea, Miss Margaret Sture had gone by and servants; but all was in vain. Many were chance to the window, saw, and comprehended moved, but not the old countess. She had taken the object. She began immediately to cry out, the opinion, by letter, of Laurentius, the Arch-Master Erik is certainly carrying off my sister bishop of Upslaa, who stood firm by the declar- Malin!' At these words, the old countess and ation which he had made on the third marriage of Gustavus Vasa, and protested against the union. Upon this, it became totally useless to speak farther of it to the countess. So-passed many years. The lovers saw their youth pass over; Erik had counted his thirty-fourth, and Malin her thirty-third year; at the same time, their mutual attachment continued as warm as ever. Every means to move the mother had been tried in vain, and they resolved, at length, to fly. Stenbock confided his purpose to the Duke Karl, of Södermanland, then in his twentieth year, and received from him, in support of his plan, a guard of two hundred cavalry.

"In the month of March, 1573, he made a journey, with his sister Cecilia, the wife of Gustavus Roos, to Hörningsholm-concealed the cavalry not far from the castle, and instructed them what they had to do. The same evening, Miss Malin consented to fly with him the next day. She passed a night of great anxiety. In the morning, as she was alone in the chamber, she fell on her knees in a window, and prayed, shedding torrents of tears. At this moment the eldest sister, Madame Sigrid, entered the room. 'God bless you!' said she, 'you are engaged in a good business.' 'Would to God that it were good!' replied Miss Malin. 'It is certainly good,' said Madame Sigrid, 'to pray to God with tears.' 'Ah!' exclaimed Malin, 'if all my friends and relations should cast me off, you will certainly not turn your true heart away from me?' 'Why do you speak in that manner?' said Madame Sigrid; 'none of the race of Sture have ever done anything on account of which one need turn one's heart away from them.'

"At this moment the old countess called Madame Sigrid to her, but Miss Malin went into another room. Erik entered it immediately, greeted those present, and said to Malin, Dear sister, will you look at that horse which I have made you a present of? He stands below in the court. She consented, and he took her arm to conduct her down. As they went through the lower story, there sat Nilfi, and Anna Sture's nurse, Lucy. Miss Malin begged them to follow

Madame Sigrid sprang, first to the window, and then down into the court. But upon the steps the mother fainted and fell down. When she was somewhat restored, she commanded Madame Sigrid to hasten at once after the fugitives, and see if she could not bring them back. In the mean time sat Madame Martha on the steps, in trouble and lamentation, and could not perfectly recover herself. There came, hurrying, Master Erik's sister, the Countess Cecilia Roos, and deplored that Master Erik should have acted so contrary to Madame Martha's will, asserting that she had known nothing whatever of his intention; but, at the same time, never could have believed that Madame Martha would have taken it so ill. Madame Martha turned, fiercely, her head, and answered, 'God punish you and your brother, who has robbed me of my child! Hasten at least after her, and remain with her, that no shame befall her.' Madame Cecilia held her peace and departed.

"When Madame Sigrid, whom the mother had sent after the fugitives, arrived at Svärdsbro, it was only alone, and that with difficulty, that she was admitted into the house. There she began to relate to the sister the sorrow and lamentation of the mother, and to exhort her to return, in which case the mother had promised to forgive her. Miss Malin made no answer. Then began again Sigrid, and still more vehemently, to exhort and entreat her, or that she would be the death of the mother. Malin said, 'If you can assure me that the mother will at last consent to our union, then I will gladly go back.' That I cannot do,' said Madame Sigrid. 'Then,' replied Malin, 'the first error is just as good as the last; and began bitterly to weep. When Madame Sigrid found she could not persuade her sister, she returned to Hörningsholm, where the mother was lying in bed, in trouble and lamentings. Both were increased as Sigrid entered alone. Misfortune had before, but now disgrace had fallen on the house. She could derive neither comfort nor help, nor even the hope of revenge. She was a lone widow, with many daughters; the sons were yet scarcely more than children. On the con

trary, the carrier-off of her daughter was himself a mighty man, the brother of the Queen-widow Catharine, supported by the duke, and in favour with the king. Nevertheless, Madame Martha determined not to give way.

"The mother's resentment lay, in the mean time, heavy on the heart of the daughter. Since her flight from Hörningsholm, Malin had never yet worn anything but mourning. She had received from her husband a multitude of jewels, but she had never needed them. She wrote continually the most sorrowful letters to her next of kin, praying them to use their influence in her behalf. The incessant prayers of her sons-inlaw, and at length the whole of the daughters, throwing themselves at her feet, softened Madame Martha, and she gave permission for the two

"In the mean time journeyed Miss Malin, with the Countess Cecilia Roos and Master Erik, to his brother-in-law, Pehr Brahe, at Sundholm, in the province of Westgothland. There Erik left her, and hastened himself to Stockholm. But Madame Martha's letter of complaint had arrived there before him, and he was immediately deprived of his fiefs and offices, and placed in cus-outcast ones to return. tody. There now arose an active mediation and sharp wranglings between the families Sture and Stenbock, which at length came to this conclusion, that Erik was again set at liberty. Thereupon he did all that was possible to win over to him the relations of Miss Malin, and he succeeded with all of them except the mother. He wrote to the Lutheran Academy at Rostock, and received thence the decision of the theologians, which he forwarded to her, that marriages between sisters' children might be allowed; but she paid not the slightest regard to it.

"Erik and Malin now despaired of ever being able to soften her; it was now a year and a quarter since their elopement; they passed over the Halländish borders, were there married by a Danish priest, and returned the same day to Torpa, where the wedding was celebrated. At the same time, it was arranged that King John, the queen-widow, the Duke Karl, the princess, the council of the kingdom, and all the relations of Stenbock, should write to Madame Martha, and entreat for Erik and his wife. But the grief and the warmth of the mother were now only the more aggravated by the news of this marriage, which had taken place without her knowledge; and, spite of all the solicitations on their behalf, she would listen to nothing more respecting either her daughter or her son-in-law."

Here I paused a moment in order to sound the bottom of Ma chère mère's heart. "Is it really possible," said I, "that such stubbornness can exist? How can any one be so unbending and irreconcilable ?"

"It is unreasonable!" said Jean Jacques. "It is irrational!" said Jane Maria.

"It is unnatural!" growled Bear, with a horrible grimace.

"It is right!" cried Ma chère mère, with a voice of thunder. "It is no more than right! I would have done the same myself!"

"Oh no! that you would not, indeed!" said I, while I looked at her imploringly.

"It was now a year and a half since their marriage, and nearly three since their flight. They were not, however, allowed to proceed at once to the castle, but must inhabit for some weeks the little Bath-house. At length, through the entreaties of the brothers and sisters, and on account of the approach of winter, and the ill health of Malin, they were permitted to enter the castle. Malin was conducted into the great hall, where Madame Martha was seated in the chair of state, and all the children stood around. As Malin appeared at the door, the mother exclaimed, 'Ah! thou unhappy child!' Then fell Malin on her knees, and so crept forward to her mother, imploring forgiveness with tears, and laying her head against her knee."

I paused; for my voice trembled, and tears were nigh. My heart was in that of Malin. At this moment Ma chère mère pushed the table from her, arose, and with a pallid countenance, and without casting a glance at any of us, marched with great strides out of the room, and banged the door behind her.

We sat startled and confounded. We knew not what to think. Was Ma chère mère angry? or was she moved? Did she suspect our object? or-. Bear and I looked inquiringly at one another. I was angry with myself, and with the emotion which had occasioned me to interrupt the reading at so eventful a moment. Ma chère mère, through this, had had time for reflection, and now she could not hear the best part of the history-that beautiful ending of it. Oh, if she could but have heard it! It must have made her feel how beautiful it is to be recorciled, and King Martha's example would probably have operated with her. I longed, inexpressibly, for her return. But one quarter of an hour went by after another, and Ma chère mère came not back. Very mournful was I as supper was announced; at the same time it was announced that Ma chère mère would not come to table. She had headache, and was already gone to bed, wishing us a good supper and a good-night. I was restless and out of humour, and Bear was the same. We knew not what to think of the position of things. Immediately after supper, we took leave of Jean Jacques and Jane Maria. On our way home we became rather less dissatisfied with our evening. Our attempt could not be said to have totally failed. The reading had produced a powmother, good habits.'" erful effect; and the excitement which Ma chère My heart swelled within me. I felt the ex-mère had shown might, with greater probability, travagance of Ma chère mère's notions, but the words, "Wert thou the offender and I thy real mother," produced the most singular effect on me. They converted me at once into the unhappy Malin, and put me into her situation. I suffered with, I deplored her; deeply I felt all the horror of a mother's wrath, and it was with the utmost difficulty that I could read what follows.

"The hangman fetch me, then, but I would have done it!" said she, yet more violently, and smote her fist on the table so that the lights tottered. "Yes, that would I; and if even thou, Franziska, hadst been the offender, and I thy real mother! Yes, I would thus punish thee. Thou shouldst never again come into my sight, not even if the king himself fell down at my feet and implored it. Easy mother, bad habits; strict

K

receive a good than a prejudicial interpretation. We resolved that Bear should the next day, under colour of business with Jean Jacques, drive to Carlsfors, and discover how it stood with Ma chère mère. We talked of the principles of severity which she maintained. I did battle against them. I asserted, "Not irreconcilable severity, but rather are they wisdom and love which bring