At a hint from her mother Hellfrid invited the two Angels, together with the rest of the company, to walk home with her and take a cup of chocolate in the shadow of her hyacinths. The Angels declined the friendly invitation with countenances expressive of extreme ill-humour; but Selma, young Sparrsköld, and I, accepted it with pleasure.

In the shade of Hellfrid's fragrant hyacinths we enjoyed some excellent chocolate, and carried on a lively and interesting conversation on the best ways of improving and employing life and time.

No one was more delightful to listen to on that occasion than the good old lady, to whom life is still so abundant with enjoyment and so full of interest, that she orders her servant to call her every morning at six o'clock, for fear of wasting some of those precious hours which fly too fast for her.

Young Sparrsköld asserted playfully, that it would be much better to sleep, and kissed her hand at the same time, with filial, nay, almost child-like tenderness.

Hellfrid regarded both with tearful eyes.

A shocking catastrophe changed this scene of affection and comfort into one of terror and alarm. A hollow report of a pistol-shot was suddenly heard, apparently proceeding from the room under us. Sparrsköld started from his seat.

"That was in Captain Rumler's room," exclaimed he, and rushed out of the apartment, as if seized with a horrible misgiving.

About a quarter of an hour after, he came back with an extremely pallid countenance.

'Captain Rumler has shot himself," said he: "the vital spark had already fled when I arrived."

The embarrassment of his pecuniary circumstances, and his inclination for strong liquors, had, for some time past, been a topic of conversation; he seemed to have gradually undermined his constitution, and to have laboured at his own ruin, which was now accomplished by an awful suicide.

Excited and saddened by this occurrence, we separated from each other.

"He was one of Felix's intimate acquaintances," said Selma, on our way home. "I only hope he may

not

She did not finish her sentence.

It was distressing intelligence with which we were now about to surprise my stepmother.

March 13th.

The report of Captain Rumler's unhappy end rapidly spread through the city. The ladies of the Chamber of Commerce gave us a proof of it to-day.

They say that he had made so free with the money of the regiment, that he was no longer able to conceal it, and would not survive his disgrace. Another young gentleman, the son of wealthy parents, and implicated in the affair of Rumler, had fled."

"It is said that many more occurrences of a similar kind will shortly follow."

Out of misfortune, a fortunate circumstance has, after all, arisen. Ake Sparrsköld is next in rank to Rumler, and will be appointed to the command of his company. Nothing now stands in the way of his union with Hellfrid, and the happiness of this whole family.

March 14th.

"The Rutschenfelts also have taken themselves off. Heaven preserve Felix."

With these words my stepmother came to us this noon, and was so dejected by the news, and so troubled about the consequences, that she forgot all thoughts of surprising me, and all her Metternich airs.

Among the list of those who have fled for debt, the Messrs. Bravander are also mentioned-the same brothers who, at the New Year's Assembly, talked so frequently about the "devil fetching them."

March 15th.

"Has Felix been here? Do you know any thing of him?" was Lennartson's inquiry to-day, almost the very moment he entered the room; and when we replied in the negative, it appeared to be a matter of grievous disappointment to him, though he endeavoured to conceal it.

St. Orme, the Chamberlain, and several other gentlemen, including the Baron, were here at noon, when the conversation soon turned on the Rutschenfelts set, who had partly taken to flight, and in part were ready to fly. The names of a number of people were then mentioned, whom they had defrauded and robbed out of their little fortunes, families whom they had plunged into the deepest distress, mothers, brides, whose hopes were blasted, and future prospects darkened. The venerable old father of one of the fugitives had been struck with paralysis from grief-but it would occupy too much time and space to give a circumstantial account of all the calamitous cases which are now cursorily spoken of.

Lennartson was silent all the while, but I gave vent to my heart by several strong expressions.

St. Orme, who always places himself in opposition to me, shrugged his shoulders at "the tragic manner with which people take things of such common occurrence, and the great ado they make about the youthful errors of some rash young men. He, for his part, sincerely pities them, but he would not condemn any one. We ought not to be too severe against youth. They must have time to cool the ardour and buoyancy of their spirits, and then there is no fear of their return to thoughtfulness and discretion.

"That is very fine indeed," observed the Chamberlain, in a subtle voice and keen satire; "and I, for my part, intend always to say 'the blessed Rumler,' though I would not exactly take an oath that the blessed Rumler is really blessed. It is my belief, however, that we are bound to pay our debts, and live soberly and decently in the world; and, moreover, that it must be rather a venturesome thing to go into the other, like Rum-like-the blessed Rumler.'"

Lennartson then took up the matter; and fixing a calm firm look on St. Orme, he very seriously animadverted upon the conduct which had just been described, and the sentiments which were held to be so innocent. He pointed out their influence on society in general— he pictured a people in their decline-laxity of principle; its pernicious root-inordinate craving after enjoyment, excess of levity-the inviolability of an oath totally disregarded, order and integrity departed, and with them confidence, security, kind offices, and all pure, all generous feelings, all human ties poisoned, and the health and fresh joy of life fled for ever. Thus

it was with the nations of old when advancing towards their dissolution-towards a disgraceful lingering death a spectacle for compassion and contempt; and thus it would be with us also if we did not seize with seriousness on life and ourselves.

"I wish," continued Lennartson, while his eyes flashed and his words issued like thunder from his lips,"wish that all honest men, the better class of society, would brand with abhorrence and contempt those libertines, those young deceivers who sacrifice all for the gratification of their wretched passions. I know but one character more culpable and despicable than these, and that is He-who under the semblance of prudence poisons their principles, and under the show of friendship seduces to misery, making them the instruments and victims of his selfishness and of his base schemes; in short-the serpent of society, the calculating seducer!"

Whether was it Lennartson's intention to hurl a thunderbolt at St. Orme with these words; or was it the evil conscience of the latter smote him? Certain it is, that I saw him for the first time lose his scornful assurance, and filled with confusion and dismay. The blood forsook his cheek; he attempted to speak, but his voice failed him; he tried to smile, but his thin lips quivered with a convulsive motion.

Flora contemplated him with astonishment, and a sort of enjoyment. She seemed to delight in his hu miliation and torture. She smiled-malignantly. A deathly silence ensued at the table; and when my

* In the original there is a pun here on the name of St. Orme, serpent in Swedish being "ormen.”