of Issefjords.

They drove to a public-house to change horses. A young girl
conducted the friends into the public room; she lighted the way for
them. Her slender figure and her floating gait drew Wilhelm's
attention toward her; his hand touched her shoulder, she sprang
aside and fixed her beautiful grave eyes upon him; but their
expression became milder, she smiled and colored at the same time.

"You are the sister of little Jonas!" cried Wilhelm, recognizing
the young girl he had seen with him at Christmas.

"I must also thank you," said she, "for your kindness toward the
poor boy!" She quickly placed the lights on the table, and left the
room with a gentle glance.

"She is beautiful, very beautiful!" exclaimed Wilhelm. "That was
really quite a pleasant meeting."

"Is it then you, Herr Baron, who honor me thus?" cried the host,
stepping in--an elderly man with a jovial countenance. "Yes, the
Baron will doubtless visit his dear relations in hunch? It is now
some little time since you were there."

"This is our host!" said Wilhelm to Otto. "He and his wife were
born upon my parent's estate."

"Yes," said the host, "in my youth I have shot many a snipe and
wild duck with the Herr Baron's father. But Eva should spread the
table; the gentlemen will certainly take supper, and a glass of