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Page 39
Magde had no person with whom to consult, for what advice could poor
Carl give? Nanna was a mere child, and Magde felt that she could not
consult her upon such an intricate question.
She had conversed with the parson concerning her trouble, yet although
he was not backward in giving her good advice, he nevertheless refused
to assist her with his purse, for he was as miserly as he was wealthy.
The time had now arrived when Magde could no longer postpone the
promised visit to her father, and all the members of the family wished
to go upon this little pilgrimage. Great were the preparations that were
made to supply themselves with a sufficient quantity of provisions which
they were to take to the old man. Magde baked pan-cakes, and Nanna made
pies, and if a smile did appear on Magde's lips it was when they spoke
of the pleasant surprise they were preparing for their father.
At length the moment for their departure arrived. Even little Christine
and the favorite dog Carlo, were to form a portion of the company, that
they might be able to see their old friend. The children leaped with
joy.
They thought only of the pleasant trip over the swelling billows of the
lake. Magde finished lading the skiff; but her heart was overflowing
with grief, for she had no glad tidings with which to gladden the heart
of the old man.
Nanna who during the busy activity of the morning had successfully
endeavored to suppress her sorrow, was so much overcome as she was about
stepping into the boat that she nearly fainted. She saw in her
imagination the pale and suffering countenance of her father; who was
however smiling patiently as he stood ready to greet his children, that
were to leave him again in his dreary and lonely prison.
The poor child in anticipation suffered all the pangs of a second
farewell with her imprisoned parent.
"It will not do for you to accompany us," said Magde in a firm and
motherly tone, "you are ill, and therefore had better return."
"I am afraid," replied Nanna trembling violently, "that I shall be
obliged to do so. Give my love to him, and tell him--" and now her long
suppressed tears burst forth in torrents--"tell him if I do not come, it
is not because I do not love him."
"Silence, silence my poor sister, I know myself what I have to say--Go
and may God be with you--here is the key--Lock the door--Carl take the
oars."
CHAPTER XIII.
THE BANISHMENT--THE RE-UNION.
When Magde's boat passed the mansion at Almvik, two persons were walking
on the verge of the shore near the lake. The one was Mistress Ulrica,
and her companion was Gottlieb, who had returned a few days before, from
his trip through Norway.
As the boat shot round a rocky point of land, Gottlieb exclaimed, as he
recognized its occupants, and bowed friendly to them: "Where are they
all going! They look so sorrowful and dejected!"
"Sorrowful!" repeated Mrs. Ulrica, "you may thank God that it is not
necessary for you to participate in the sorrows of the lower classes."
"If they are in trouble, I do not see why I should not sympathise with
them."
Aunt Ulrica shook her head with a dissatisfied expression of
countenance.
"You may certainly boast of your firmness of mind, and your knowledge of
human nature; I have shown you the danger of associating with such
persons. I sent you away--I--"
"I beg your pardon," interrupted Gottlieb, hastily, "I was not _sent_
away. I took a journey which I had decided on myself, and returned as I
departed, with a heart ever ready to sympathise with the afflicted."
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