Bear, leading me by the arm, assured me that I looked “most charming,” and entreated me to mirror myself in his eyes.  I then needs must be so discourteous as to reply that they were “too small.”  He protested that they were only the clearer, and opened the door to the ball-room.  “Well, since you lead me to the ball, you shall also dance with me, you Bear!” I exclaimed in the gayety of despair, so to speak.  “With delight!” cried Bear, and at the same moment we found ourselves in the salon.

My alarm diminished considerably when I perceived in the spacious room only a crowd of cleanly attired maids and serving-men, who were sweeping merrily about with one another.  They were so busied with dancing as scarcely to observe us.  Bear then conducted me to the upper end of the apartment; and there, on a high seat, I saw a tall and strong lady of about fifty, who was playing on a violin with zealous earnestness, and beating time with her foot, which she stamped with energy.  On her head she wore a remarkable and high-projecting cap of black velvet, which I will call a helmet, because that word occurred to my mind at the very first view I had of her, and I know no one more appropriate.  She looked well, but singular.  It was the lady of General Mansfelt, my husband’s stepmother, ma chere mere!

She speedily cast her large dark-brown eyes on me, instantly ceased playing, laid aside the violin, and drew herself up with a proud bearing, but an air of gladness and frankness.  Bear led me towards her.  I trembled a little, bowed profoundly, and kissed ma chere mere’s hand.  She kissed my forehead, and for a while regarded me with such a keen glance, that I was compelled to abase my eyes, on which she again kissed me most cordially on lips and forehead, and embraced me almost as lustily as Bear had.  Now it was Bear’s turn; he kissed the hand of ma chere mere right respectfully; she however offered him her cheek, and they appeared very friendly.  “Be welcome, my dear friends!” said ma chere mere, with a loud, masculine voice.  “It was handsome in you to come to me before driving to your own home.  I thank you for it.  I would indeed have given you a better reception had I been prepared; at all events, I know that ‘Welcome is the best cheer.’  I hope, my friends, you stay the evening here?” Bear excused us, said that we desired to get home soon, that I was fatigued from the journey, but that we would not drive by Carlsfors without paying our respects to ma chere mere.

“Well, very good, well, very good!” said ma chere mere, with satisfaction; “we will shortly talk further about that in the chamber there; but first I must say a few words to the people here.  Hark ye, good friends!” and ma chere mere knocked with the bow on the back of the violin, till a general silence ensued in the salon.  “My children,” she pursued in a solemn manner, “I have to tell you—­a plague upon you! will you not be still there, at the lower