and no one sought to avoid this invitation.  Each one paid tribute:  relations gave the married couple a sum of money; their friends gave them furniture, stuffs, and jewels.  In similar cases, at peasants houses, corn, wool, etc., utensils of household use, are presented, so that often the house of the newly-married couple is provided for a long time with provisions in this manner.  It is however true, that they are dearly purchased by the hospitality they have to extend for a long time to many guests.

From the house of M. de Vermondans the guests went to that of the Pastor, where similar festivals were gone through with.  Alete remained there, and M. de Vermondans returned with Ebba and Ireneus.  As he placed his foot on the threshold of the door where he had hitherto always been welcomed by his smiling daughter, he was attacked by a sadness which he could not overcome, and went to his room to weep.

Ebba also was sad, for though her character was very different from Alete’s, she loved her sister dearly, and was most unhappy at the idea of a separation.

Ireneus sought to console her.

“I thank you,” said the young girl, “for your kind expressions.  I am not unhappy only on my own account at this separation.  My father will never be able to use himself to it.  Alete was always happy.  Joy left our household with her.  I wish I could replace her.  Do however what I may, I never shall succeed.  You and all who know me, are aware that my nature is of altogether a different character.  I am melancholy.”

“Gentle, Ebba, gentle,” said Ireneus.

“Gentle perhaps, and surely inoffensive, but I repeat melancholy.  Why does this sadness continue?  Alas, it is the law of God.  Do not look at me, I beg you, as on one of those women whom I have seen and of whom I have read, who create imaginary misfortunes for themselves, and deck themselves with ideal suffering and melancholy.  I have neither sorrow nor passionate regrets and I do not know the meaning of deception.

“My life has passed without storms, but without noise, like the spring which bubbles from the hill.  Father and mother have sought to make me happy, and no untimely event has interrupted the course of my life.  Melancholy, however, I was born, and will die.  That is all.

“Listen to me,” added she, fixing on Ireneus a look impressed with strange grief and affection.  “Heaven which denied me a brother seemed to supply its neglect in yourself.  The attachment you evince toward me appeals to my heart, and I will make you a confession.

“When I say nothing has troubled my thoughts, I do not say all.  There is one impression which to me has been an event, a circumstance, the influence of which I cannot speak of.  I wish, however, to ask you, if you believe in presentiments?”

“What a question!” replied Ireneus, “no one ever addressed me thus before, and I do not know what to say.”