Mrs. Ulrica Eugenia assumed an air of haughtiness.

“Then I have fallen into disgrace,” continued Gottlieb.

“I will not deny,” replied Mistress Ulrica, coldly, “that you are on the road to disgrace; but I hope this wholesome lesson will cause you to think better of my exertions in your behalf.”

“Of that I have my doubts,” thought Gottlieb as his aunt majestically left the room; “and yet perhaps it is foolish on my part not to take her advice.—­Oh, why is not my little nymph of the fountain the possessor of a ton and a half of gold?—­The little creature—­hm—­She is really too beautiful!”

CHAPTER XI.

THE FISHERMAN.

The usually turbulent lake Wenner, presented, on the evening of which we are about to write, an unruffled and mirror-like appearance.  In its clear bosom was reflected the lofty cliffs of mount Kinnekulle, and sloop after sloop passed over this gigantic image until a puffing steamboat dashed over it and the picture was lost in the foaming spray in her wake.

Almvik was situated on a truly romantic spot near the margin of the lake, of which a magnificent view could be obtained from the mansion.  The surface of the lake this evening presented a pleasing spectacle.  Fishes were leaping out of the water near little boats which were swinging at anchor, or were being pulled by sturdy fishermen who were going forth to ensnare the subjects of the water Queen; but the proud Queen, who, from her crystal palace beheld the danger, commanded her subjects to retreat, and quickly the sportive fishes hastened to the depths of the water that afforded them a barrier through which their enemies could not break.

In consequence of these manoeuvers on the part of the water Queen, our friend Mr. Fabian, who frequently endeavored to capture her subjects, was invariably unsuccessful.  Undoubtedly this must have been a source of much misery to the poor man, for he was situated between two iron wills, namely that of his wife and that of the water Queen; the latter would not pay tribute, while the former demanded with all the firmness of an absolute monarch, that the tribute should be forced from the water Queen at all hazards.

After the above explanation our readers can well imagine Mr. Fabian’s feelings when after having congratulated himself that his wife’s anger with her nephew would occupy her mind for the entire evening, he received a summons from her that the boat and fishing tackle were ready for use.

Fishing was one of Mistress Ulrica’s favorite pastimes, and although she did not generally participate in it, yet when she observed her husband’s unskillfulness, she would indignantly cast aside her parasol, and grasp the fishing rod.  However it may be, whether the water queen below wished to compliment the earthly queen above,—­we know that ladies are prone to be polite to each other—­or that some truant fish remained behind to become an easy prey to the enemy, suffice it to say that Mistress Ulrica was generally fortunate; but she did not—­as she might have done—­make use of her advantage, as she herself would say, “to cause her husband to blush with shame.”