plantations, and heard the bark of the yard-dog. Upon the hillock
before the gate stood a group of children. Otto could no longer
endure the slow driving through the deep ruts. He sprang out of the
carriage, and ran more than he walked. The children on the hillock
became aware of him, and all looked toward the side from whence he
came.

The slow driving, and his being absorbed in melancholy fancies, had
relaxed his powerful frame; but now in one moment all his
elasticity returned: his cheeks glowed, and his heart beat loudly.

From the court resounded singing--it was the singing of a psalm. He
stepped through the gateway. A crowd of peasants stood with bared
heads: before the door stood a carriage, some peasants were just
raising a coffin into it. In the doorway stood the old preacher,
and spoke with a man clad in black.

"Lord Jesus! who is dead?" were Otto's first words, and his
countenance became pale like that of a corpse.

"Otto!" all exclaimed.

"Otto!" exclaimed also the old preacher, astonished; then seized
his hand, and said gravely, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken
away; blessed be the name of the Lord!"

"Let me see the face of the dead!" said Otto. Not a tear came to
his eye; surprise and sorrow were too great.

"Shall I take out the screws?" inquired the man who had just