talons was extended to touch the jarl's shoulder. | Christiana, had driven me in the yellow calash It was some such story as that of the king of over the hills of the Stor Elve on a winter's day, Thule. As the Norwegian passed the door-sill, when I wore a great cloak to save me from the Hamburg clock, noting the hour, played a freezing." solemn tune; Mariana, playing upon the virginals, made a sweeter music to mingle with this dirge of the departed hour.

Merlin Brand came to the side of the lady, with the manner of one deeply and tenderly moved. He ventured to take her hand into his own, and to press it to his lips; as he did so, his eyes filled with tears.

"It is a great blessing, Mariana," he said, "that I meet you—that I hold your hand-that I look into your pure eyes-before I go into an exile from which I may never return."

"Do you hold it so great a blessing?" the Swedish girl replied. “Then retain my hand, whilst our discourse continues; but we may be interrupted at any moment; tell me, therefore, rapidly what has chanced to you since we parted, and what your designs are."

"You mention your departure in one set of phrases-I in another," replied Merlin. “Idetermined at last to become a soldier; I maintained my resolution against the remonstrances of the paternal Bishop; I began my journey to Carlscron, there to take ship for Riga. Can you tell what lured me aside and brought me to the house of your father? I came yesterday to the fountain under the beech trees. I received the slight wound which excited your pity, and from which I feel that I have already recovered sufficiently to continue my journey. As for the future, I must join the king of Sweden at Grodno, where he makes his muster to pass the Boristhenes. I will do my duty, and brave death in every shape-for I must win honor or lose life. Mariana-Mariana—the prize I play for is this hand which I hold in my own."

The manner of the Swedish maiden wholly changed with these concluding words. A flush of modesty mounted to her temples. She was presently enabled to say:

"When you left Christiana, I found my life become most unhappy," said the Norwegian. "The good Bishop found my devotion to the ancient learning, with which he used to confound our young heads, very much abated; he gave me "I have been on the verge of this discovery, long lectures in which he censured me, and ex- and was strangely blinded. And yet, may it net tolled his beloved Humanities; he desired even be that this which you now take to be an ardent to become personally my instructor. This from passion, is after all no more than the attachment so great a dignitary, to Merlin Brand the poor growing from our childish intercourse, so long wanderer from the coast of Bergen, was irre- continued at Christiana?" sistible. So I became in fact his pupil. I remained so for a year, and made more progress in those modern tongues in which the Bishop is also a proficient, than in the elder languages. During that time I wrote to you, Mariana, more than once, and I am but repeating what my letters perhaps told you."

"It is the diviner passion-yea is it," Merlin answered. "It is the true consuming flame. I ask no avowal now of a return from your owɛ glorious nature. I am utterly unmatched with one of so high a fortune. But, Mariana, bugles are sounding on the sunnier plains of Europe; the great king has gathered the nations as to a tourney; the ring is set; bright eyes are looking on from distant hills; the ladies of the gold north They contained much brotherly affection, are looking down from the blue ranges, and you and a great many poetic remarks respecting the among them; in the martial ring is the splendid beautiful past, and a great many expressions of prize to the best arm and truest heart. When I your determination to become renowned, in some way or other, in the future, but they gave me not the least information."

"Not so," answered the girl. "Your letters were too full of sentiment for any statement of fact.

have waded through blood to the prize, I will come back as one whose claims are of a nature to be respected by the coldest and most worldly wise of your friends. Then, Mariana, I wi woo you."

"You amuse yourself at my cost, Mariana," said Merlin. "It was always so. But let us be serious in these flying moments. I grew sick of "And in the mean time," said the lady who books, whilst the world was up and in tumult, had regained somewhat of her former humor, and living men were making a history greater "you think it unnecessary to waste wooing upon than the written ones. You would have proved me. What assures you that I will abide your Syren enough to bind me to a life of sloth; but leisure for wooing, as mistress Mariana Sture, your mantle had long since fluttered over the whilst prepossessing gentlemen, living in ease, heights of the Stor Elve, and you were departed away from the toil and dangers of war, come to like a star out of my miserable view."

"That means, my friend," said Mariana, that Axel Orde, who came to convey me home from

sue for my hand?"

"What assures me? I will answer you. I know the true metal of your nature, Mariana

Not passed through the red-flame or icy waters enough to explain, in turn, by what means you of adversity, it yet possesses the noble temper. have become a witness of what surely did not in You are a proud, gallant, and honor-loving wo- the least concern you. If you can give no good man. When you hear from a distant land that explanation, I shall venture to say that you have Merlin, the Norwegian, passed into the gulf of the committed an unworthy act." battle, where other hearts failed, and did, in all "I might have expected this," Captain Piper things, his duty truly, I know that your blue eyes answered with a confounded air. "Charge a will flash, and that your soul will speak trium-lady with an indiscretion, and she will invariably phantly this is the champion whom love for put you on your defence for a crime. Fair coume made a seeker of glory, a worker of great sin, if you are disposed to have a love-passage deeds.' I know you well, Mariana; and it is in future, use the precaution to close your doors, because you are noble, and utterly true, that I or repress the exuberance of your affection into hope." whispers, sighs, and murmurs. It is a nice matter of art, but attainable, to be eloquent in a whisper, and to kiss in a murmur. Remember the lesson, Anak."

"Merlin," replied the girl, more beautiful for the sweet seriousness which her countenance expressed in aid of her words, "I have no wish to chill an ardor which aims so high and so well. Be it then as you say.

“Guard your tongue, sir; its licence goes too Let there be the troth-far," said the Norwegian.

64

Damnation," exclaimed Captain Piper. Mariana interrupted him.

plight between us. I err: you have not asked so much—but you have said that you will one day ask it. I do not shrink from plighting my- “You will be kind enough, kinsman, to leave self to you now-even now. If you live un-me." She added, to Merlin: "I trust that for worthily our contract falls, and I will cease to my sake, if not for your own, you will not embelieve in human worth. But I am firm in hope. broil our engagements at their very commenceI think that I read you surely. If you die in ment. Be guarded, and bear long; indeed avoid, these wars, I will lament your death as one wi-as far as a gentleman may, strife with this maddowed. If you return, I believe that you will cap cousin of mine, who is, after all, Monsieur do so in honor; whether you return with those Merlin, a good heart." rewards of gallantry and good conduct of which “Mariana," said Captain Piper, "I assure you speak, or without them, will not affect my you that I object to your engagement with this feeling whatever influence your fortune may unknown person utterly." have upon those who controul my action. Merlin, may God protect you, and lead you back to me-yea to me a good, great, and successful man."

"I am grieved to learn it, kinsman. Is that

all?”

"All!-by no means. I undertake to inform your father thoroughly in the business. I tell The white arms of the lady were elevated; you so plainly. I have not been an eaves-dropMerlin seized her to his bosom, and kissed her brow devoutly. As he did so the door by which he had entered opened without a grating of the lock. Captain Gustavus Piper came forward with his visage fiery red, except so much of it as the blue seam of the long scar occupied. “You make a good use of opportunity, my fine fellow," said Captain Piper.

per. I heard and saw only as one coming directly into a room by a door already open, may honestly hear and see. I would be as loth to go skulking with a secret betrayal to your father, as to bend my ear to a keyhole. I tell you boldly that I shall presently go to him."

Mariana replied with warmth—

"I will at once save you the labor by commuMerlin turned promptly; but Mariana placed nicating the whole to him with my own lips, her hand at once upon his lips. Instead of speak-Kinsman, you are ungenerous." ing he only kissed the tender palm. The girl spoke, in his stead, to Captain Piper.

“Kinsman," she said sweetly, "I introduced Monsieur Brand to you as an old friend whom I had known at Christiana; I introduce him now to you as my affianced husband.”

So saying she departed upon this resolute errand, with a stately carriage, and haughty step.

"Softly, Anak," said Captain Piper, grimacing until his face wore an expression of grotesque amiability; "have you discovered a pretty bit of sod under the southern edge of the grove Captain Piper from a state of passion fell into yonder? It is a delicious spot for amorous medstate of bewilderment. His surprise proved itations, and commands a fascinating view of the hat he had heard little of the conversation of lake. You are apt to have the devil about your he lovers. Before he could find words, Mari ears for this pleasant business. When you have been trundled out of the house, if the bones of “So much in explanation of the scene which that carcass of yours are in a reasonably sound you have witnessed. Now, kinsman, be kind condition, make a turn to the spot I mention; I

ana continued:

shall find an opportunity to join you, and min- | descent of which Captain Piper had seemed to ister a bit of consolation to you. I take you to anticipate. It was to his nephew that the senabe little better than a peasant, but I am so chari- tor first addressed himself. tably disposed just now that the question of rank shall not trouble me."

"Gustaf," he said, "I learn from Mariana that you have insulted my guest, without cause. It becomes you to atone to him for so doing." Captain Piper, in anger and astonishment, replied:

"Atone! Do you desire me to atone to this unknown person, for gently, and moderately, signifying to him that I deemed him infernally presumptuous in aspiring to the hand and affections of the most beautiful of the gentlewomen of Sweden ?"

should be made to me, not to you."

"I am curious to witness the end of the affair within doors," he said. "I will therefore “I have confidence, nephew, in the purity and adhere to my proposal of a moderate delay-wisdom of my daughter. If they err, appeal how long will depend upon the time that it takes the old gentleman to come to an explosion. Listen; I promise you the crash will come presently. My kinswoman is slow in applying the match."

Captain Piper had muttered for the tenth time, "suspense is intolerable”—when a messenger came to summon the Norwegian to the presence of the senator Sture. Captain Piper did not hesitate to receive the message as an invitation to himself also.

"Do not be too much alarmed," he said to his hostile companion. “A good cudgelling will perhaps be the worst result, and you are a stout fellow, well able to bear it. I will make favour with Axel Orde, who commands in the buttery; he shall preach moderation to his forces, when they are called to apply the correction."

Captain Piper reflected a moment, and then said with easy assurance:

"You desire me to atone to Monsieur Brand for the language which I have supposed myself justified in holding. I will do so. He, indeed, has already my promise to that effect. At present I perceive that I am not a welcome party in this strange business, which you seem, my good uncle, to approach with preternatural calmness." With these words Captain Piper withdrew in high dudgeon. The senator looked after the retiring form of the soldier.

"Go, Mariana," he said, "and appease Gustaf. My discourse with this gentleman will be free and sincere. Your presence would embarrass us."

When the lady had departed, the old gentleman said with prompt directness :

"And so, sir, you are a suitor for the hand of my daughter."

Merlin's embarrassment was infinite. He ut

"We will wait. Let us enjoy the sport to the tered an awkward assent to this opening propoutmost," Captain Piper replied.

sition. Then the venerable Swede, fixing a

The two gentlemen reached the apartment to kindly regard upon his modest countenancɛ. which one of them had been summoned.

CHAPTER THIRD.

"The grave good man made merit know her strength-
And those that lacked it to suspect, at length,
That nature had no seal of rank imprest
In men, but every bravest was the best;
That any wight, the poorest, might by aid
Of worth approved, mate with the best-born maid."

Ben Jonson.

smiled. This was a cheerful substitute for the fulminations which the Norwegian had been led to expect. He became more self-possessed.

66

"You must acquit me, sir," he said, “of a part of the folly which, without explanation, my conduct must seem to wear. I could not have been so presumptuous as to speak to you, in my present state, of an alliance with your daughter, who by right of birth, and excellence, might well mate with the proudest noble of the Swedish realm." And yet," said the old gentleman, “in your The face of Mariana expressed neither exul- discourse with Mariana you spoke of love." tation nor disappointment; she met the looks of Certainly, sir," Merlin replied. "The young her cousin, and lover, with calm eyes and serene listen trustingly to the utterance of hopes which brow. As for her father, the fine old gentleman the old pronounce to be idle dreams. Your possessed grandeur of countenance, and dignity daughter heard me speak of my purposes, and of demeanour, but he did not add to these attri- of the results of my action, as I meant to direct butes of Jupiter Tonans the thunder-bolts, the it, with credulity and confidence. Sir, a truth of

Tacitus comes to my mind non eadem omnibus | Bishop, your kinsman, resided. There I lived -decora.' The confiding credulity with which your in what manner I prefer that you should learn gentle daughter heard me recount my hopes, from himself. There I met, almost daily for would scarcely become you; I could scarcely many years of my boyhood, the lady your daughpropose to myself to gain from the hopeful na- ter. I am now on my way to the camp of the ture of your daughter, and from your tried wis- King of Sweden, to sacrifice my life or establish dom, the same favourable hearing. And yet, my hope. I am not worthy, sir, to mate with after all, the contract into which we have enter- your high-born daughter, so excellent in all points ed, is one which a man of sense might perhaps of worth-and no good result of my career will venture to avow to a man of sense. If I achieve render me worthy; but if 1 am greatly successrank, fortune, and an honorable reputation, then ful, there will be at least a show of reason in my am I, and not before, to presume to say to you-petition to you for her hand." 'give me your daughter to be my wife.' If I do not achieve these things I shall not dare to utter such a petition."

"You speak frankly, and well," said the senator. "I make a contract with you. You will join the king-serve him like an upright man,

The senator paused upon these words, and and good soldier, so long as he needs your serthen said:

"Inform me concerning your parentage. I understand that it is Irumble. Give me, indeed, the outline of your past life."

vice, and return with some mark of his approbation. If you do so, Mariana shall be free to use her pleasure. As for riches, they are scarcely to be gained under the banner of a just and Godfearing king. It is approved virtue, sir, and an honorable name that will advance your suit."

"I can briefly do so, sir," the Norwegian answered. "My father, Merlin Brand, was a fisherman of the province of Bergen. He was Merlin Brand bent his looks to the floor; the wrecked and drowned on one of the northern generosity of this stranger unmanned him for a Fiords, whilst I was yet very young. It is in- moment. When he spoke it was to say with deed true that we have family traditions which much emotion: trace our descent from Vikings through more "You are generous, and noble, sir. I will go modern rovers of the sea, to the humble condi- as far and as well as the infirmities of my nature tion which we have at last reached. It is also will permit me to go, upon the path which you said, in one of these traditions, that one of my desire me to pursue. The hand of your daughancestral Vikings brought with him from Nor-ter will be an inestimable reward, but next to it thumberland, in the Island of Britain, a child my great object shall be to justify your good opinwhom he found sleeping on the sands of the ion." beach; this foundling, a boy of remarkable beauty, received the name Merlin from the superstition of the rovers, who could discover nothing of his parentage, and when he became a man wedded the daughter of his chief. The name, Merlin, now my own, dates back to that early day. You smile, sir, at these things."

The senator said kindly-"I do not, by any means, smile in derision. Many a noble lineage traces back to as idle a foundation as your remote traditions. Go on, and speak freely." Merlin resumed:

"I must say to you in conclusion," said the senator-" and in explanation of my prompt decision, that I have learned to rely upon the excellent sense, and pure heart of my daughter. Mariana has known you for years. I do not oppose my ignorance to her knowledge and the affection which springs from it-in a case where all consent to delay. Take the blessing of an old man, my son, upon the honorable enterprise which you propose to yourself. I advise your speedy departure, as his majesty will soon be in motion for the Russian provinces. My servants will convey you to the coast."

"My mother died before my father. I do not remember her. When his friends had found the Merlin bent over the hand of the benignant drowned remains of my father, and came bear-old gentleman, and left the room-his vision ing them up the rocky steeps which break the blinded by those tears which a noble generosity, waves on that coast, they found me like a in those who have the power to controul our foryoung wolf howling under the walls of our round tunes, brings to our eyes. Through the mist stone hut. They buried their dead comrade, and which they made, he presently caught a dim gave me to the pastor of one of the mountain view of a bright face. It looked as rosy and congregations of Bergen-a kindly and humane joyous as the front of Aurora, in the Florentine man, and a rare scholar. He began my educa- paintings, when that mistress of the dews smiles tion. At his death I found that he had bestowed over misty mountain tops. This Aurora of the upon me the whole of his moderate property, vaulted passage was Mariana. Merlin, encirand secured for me the patronage of the Bishop cling with his arm the neck and flowing locks of of Aggerhuus. I went to Christiana, where the the tall maiden, kissed her lips so gently, and

with so modest a grace, that even Captain Piper | duct has been encroaching and unjust, he postmust have been satisfied with his manner of en-poned the encounter for a few moments. forcing his sweet privilege. Sir," he said, with some approach to serious It was with a feeling of extreme annoyance feeling-" you have wronged me more than you that the Norwegian recurred to the necessity of suspect. But yet it may be that you are in no reskeeping his appointment with the Swedish sol-pect blame-worthy. With your pleasure we will dier. His spirits were jubilant and full of alac-play with our weapons until blood is drawn, to rity; he shrank, as the bravest will shrink, from remove the awkwardness of parting like a pair putting in jeopardy a large stock of suddenly ac- of boastful triflers who become pacified when quired happiness; he also saw in his success, swords are drawn. Any more serious question should he prove successful, a peril scarcely less between us may be adjourned for the present. than that which would attend his defeat. But Mark now, fellow," he added to his valet, “you the spirit of the age was exalted and punctilious have received your instructions. If this gentlein all matters of the duello. His reflections man should, by superiority of fortune, run me were at length determined by a hint from Mon- through, you are to deliver the sealed note to the sieur Eugenius Flavel, the valet of Captain Pi-senator Sture, and you are further to declare per. This lean and obsequious Frenchman in- the truth, that it is done in fair combat, upon my formed him that his adversary awaited him on challenge. Monsieur Brand, the knave will do the chosen ground. Merlin at once escaped into you justice. I have bestowed sharp usage enough the grove, and strode on rapidly to the grassy upon him to bring him to the humour to tell the area which lay behind it, forming an elevated truth against his master.” terrace overlooking the placid expanse of Lake Vettern. Captain Piper expected his coming with impatience; he paced up and down with a bundle of rapiers under his arm.

"We can pair the weapons, and you will take your choice," said Captain Piper, after a ceremonious greeting.

"But I do not choose these weapons at all,"

Merliu answered. "The right of election in this controversy, as far as it touches time, place and arms, is undoubtedly with me. I have yielded in time and place, but I do not yield in arms." "What the devil! Do you propose to come against me with that Excalibar of yours?"

The valet bowed with polite humility. The gentlemen took position, and began their swordplay. They had scarcely begun, when, as if summoned by the clatter of the meeting wea pons, Mariana Sture came suddenly into the area. Her cheeks were flushed with haste, and her curls hung in disorder. Her presence at once put an end to the duel.

that this meeting has taken place?”
“Cousin," she said, "is it at your invitation

"Yes, Mariana."

“Then,” said the lady, "I who have witnessed such wrongs as might well have urged Monsieur Brand to compel redress from you—I do say this for a truth, that you have proved your"It would be but fair if I did so," replied the self in this matter utterly wanting in courtesy, in Norwegian. "You have outraged me grossly, justice, in respect for me, perhaps even in honand then, by a strange contradiction, demanded our. If your weapon is raised in this quarrel, this meeting in satisfaction of the wrong which you have inflicted."

"Have at you then," said Captain Piper, drawing a rapier from its sheath. "If you came against me with a weaver's beam, I would maintain my quarrel against you."

"Stop, sir, for one moment," replied Merlin. "I have not chosen the weapon which you seem to prefer, but I abide by your choice. The skill of that rare master of the rapier, Dirk Maas, of whom I learned to use the slight weapon, will doubtless befriend me. But, sir, I did not mean to assail you with the sword which I wear. 1 would fight you with a wand from this beechen bough rather than fight you at a decided advantage."

against this gentleman, except upon his demand, I declare to you that no tie of kindred or friendship shall ever more be respected between us.”

"Then, Mariana, I sheathe my weapon, and will not again draw it against Monsieur Brand. Sir, I wish you to consider my challenge withdrawn, and my respect for you increased."

Merlin at once avowed his own indisposition to prosecute the quarrel for satisfaction of the wrongs which he had sustained.

"This is good, and worthy," said Mariana, "and now, Gustaf, we are again kind cousins. You have made yourself very disagreeable today, but we must forget."

Captain Piper replied with a sigh and in a low

tone:

Captain Piper, whose humours were rapid and “If you venture upon this gentle and affeccapricious, seemed much struck. With the hesi- tionate mode of talking, Mariana, I shall explode tancy of a brave man who finds his adversary like a grenade. Abuse me to your heart's congenerous, and begins to suspect that his own con- tent. There would be something consoling in