L I B RAFIY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 or ILLINOIS
 
 t f -
 
 Digitized by tine Internet Archive 
 
 in 2010 witii funding from 
 
 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/recluseofnorway01port
 
 THE 
 
 RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 BY 
 
 Miss ANNA MARIA PORTER. 
 
 Not his, the fortitude that mocks at pains, 
 
 Bwt that which feels them most, and most sustains." 
 
 Montgomery. 
 
 m FOUR VOLUMES. 
 VOL. I 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 p^mtEB roa longman, hurst, rees, ormi, and brown, 
 
 PATERNOSTER-BOW. 
 IS14.
 
 Strahan and Preston, 
 Printsrs-Sireet, Londor,
 
 fJ3 
 
 V. j 
 
 TO 
 
 THE AUTHOR 
 
 OF 
 
 ''A FORTNIGHT'S RAMBLE TO THE LAKES ^ 
 
 TO HIM, 
 
 WHOSE MENTAL ENDOWMENTS, 
 
 GENERAL BENEVOLENCE, 
 
 AND INDIVIDUAL KINDNESS, 
 
 ENDEAR HIM TO A LARGE CIRCLE O* 
 
 GRATEFUL POOR, 
 
 AND 
 
 ADMIRING friends; 
 
 •i 
 
 i 
 
 THESE VOLUMES ARE INSCRIBED 
 
 BY 
 
 his affectionate and 
 
 OBLIGED servant, 
 
 ANNA MARIA PORTER.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 T^HE following work has been written 
 exactly five years since the composi- 
 tion of my " Don Sebastian :" I fear the 
 experience of those years has visibly left 
 its print upon the sentiments and the 
 story. 
 
 In my former productions I was justly 
 accused, by a public critic, of making my 
 *' characters too good, and my events too 
 happy." Perhaps in " The Recluse of 
 Norway'* I may have fallen into an oppo- 
 site extreme : and the Reader may conclude 
 that the illusions of early life have given 
 place to too gloomy a perception of painful 
 realities. 
 
 I have to intreat, therefore, that who- 
 ever reads my work, will rather compare
 
 VI PREFACE. 
 
 it with the world in which he lives, than 
 with that of which he dreams : and under 
 that point of view, I may hope that he will 
 discover something to interest^ and perhaps 
 to instruct, in the personages I describe. 
 
 Wherever public characters are intro- 
 duced, or political events alluded to, I 
 have been faithful to the generally-received 
 authorities : for it is, and has always been 
 my principle, never to violate historical 
 truth. 
 
 Perhaps the reader may think I have 
 departed from this principle, by the intro- 
 duction of a secret correspondence between 
 an ideal personage. Count Lauvenheilm, 
 and one who really existed, the adminis- 
 trator of Holstein. But if he will have the 
 goodness to go back to the history of 
 Europe, he will find, that in the year 17*3, 
 when the castle of Toningen surrendered 
 to the Danes, papers were discovered there 
 which placed the political bad faith of 
 Holstein, and its intrigues with Sweden, 
 beyond a doubt.
 
 PREFACE. Vll 
 
 I trust he will not accuse me of apos- 
 tatizing from my zeaious attachment to 
 the Reformed religion, by the necessity 
 I was under, of making my hero of the 
 Romish church: the nature of my story 
 will shew why I was obliged to do so. 
 And though in my " Don Sebastian" I 
 avowed my belief in the excellence of the 
 Protestant religion, and displayed the mis- 
 chief which popish doctrines, acting on 
 bigotted characters, must inevitably pro- 
 duce ; I was then, as now, ready to declare 
 that I believe there are many members of 
 the Romish church, now existing, whose 
 Christian conduct would honour any 
 creed. 
 
 I cannot conclude this short preface with- 
 out utterly disclaiming every idea of allud- 
 ing to the politics of the day, in any part of 
 the following Romance. 
 
 I began to write it early in the March of 
 the present year ; and pitched upon Nor- 
 way as the principal scene of its action, 
 merely because it was ground untrodden by 
 
 10
 
 Vll! PREFACE. 
 
 Other novel-writers. If I recollect aright, 
 the dispute between Norway and Sweden 
 was not then agitated ; therefore, by ascer- 
 taining the date of my production, I place 
 my sincerity beyond a doubt. 
 
 So large a list of Errata appears at the 
 end of the first two volumes, that I hold 
 it my duty to exculpate the printer from 
 the charge of carelessness. 
 
 The proofs of these two volumes were 
 not corrected by myself ; and the friend to 
 whom I deputed the troublesome task, had 
 great difficulty in decyphering my hand- 
 writing, and very little time for the employ- 
 ment. 
 
 I therefore request the reader will par- 
 don the numerous errors, and rectify them 
 ere he begins the work. 
 
 Septemoer 3d, i8i4>
 
 THE 
 
 RECLUSE OF NORWAY 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 nnHE long line of coast which forms one 
 boundary to the kingdom of Norway, 
 is broken into shapes of picturesque wild- 
 ness. In some parts, its black and perpen- 
 dicular rocks present a gigantic wall that 
 has defied the storms of ages ; while in 
 others, the ocean, penetrating far inland, 
 forms interior seas, amongst forests tenanted 
 by wild beasts alone, and mountains whose 
 heads are covered with eternal snows. 
 
 In the government of Drontheim, the 
 Fiords (for so these gulphs are called by the 
 natives) frequently assume a character of 
 
 VOL. I, 3
 
 2 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 romantic beauty. They flow rapidly, but 
 smoothly, through wooded steeps and fruit- 
 ful vallies ; they reflect on their clear sur- 
 face the images of naval objects, and of 
 pastoral life ; they give food and occupation 
 to an industrious peasantry ; and, except 
 when agitated by tempests, suggest to the 
 imagination only ideas of fertility and peace. 
 Not so, in the savage district of Bergen : 
 there> rushing impetuously through rocks 
 as steep and unscaleable as those of the out- 
 ward coast, the fiords carry with them the 
 terrible magnificence of a main ocean. As 
 the mountains advance or recede, as their 
 precipices increase or diminish, each fiord 
 displays more or less of the sublime. Some-* 
 times their storm.y waters thunder through 
 a huge ravine, where crags are heaped upon 
 crags, and perpetual night blackens the 
 fathomless abyss ; then suddenly widening 
 their bed, they foam round a vast amphi- 
 theatre of rocks and mountains, mingling 
 their roar with the noise of waterfalls, the 
 scream of eagles, and the crash of breaking 
 cliffs.
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 3 
 
 Here and there along the shore, the tra- 
 veller may behold solitary habitations built 
 on ledges of rock, roofed with the bark of 
 trees, and accessible only by means of long 
 ladders, which iron bolts fasten to the solid 
 ground. Such habitations are the abode of 
 fishermen, and persons appointed for the 
 expedition of the post. On the mountains, 
 in little huts covered with moss, and sur- 
 rounded by sheep, goats, and kine, dwell 
 the herdsmen. But the hamlets of the 
 wealthier husbandmen are embosomed ia 
 long sheltered vallies, which form openings 
 around the fiords, and running far inward, 
 are lost at last in nameless solitudes. 
 
 Each hamlet has its little church ; and a 
 single pastor, charged with the spiritual in- 
 struction of several parishes, journeys to 
 them alternately. Crossing tempestuous 
 floods, and trackless mountains ; risking 
 his life daily ; exposed to cold and to hun- 
 ger, to storms and to beasts of prey ; — he 
 does all this, like an apostle of old, for the 
 love of God, and the salvation of his flock. 
 B 2
 
 4 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 Should the wind blow suddenly through one 
 of the mountain vallies, woe to his lonely 
 bark as it toils across the fiord ! Whirling 
 on the convulsed water, the pious man may 
 look in vain for some spot of earth on which 
 he can hope to escape from utter wreck ; a 
 fathomless gulph is below, a colossal ram- 
 part above : the awful hand of nature her- 
 self seems to repulse him from her. Who 
 shall say in what region virtue and happiness 
 delight to dwell ? for it is here, amidst ste- 
 rility and storms, enterprize and peril, that 
 their sacred footsteps are to be traced. 
 
 The Norwegians who inhabit the shores 
 of these inland seas, and who are in conse- 
 quence remote from the corrupting influence 
 of the outward coast, are an amiable and 
 manly people. They live in the exercise of 
 every benevolent duty ; they cultivate every 
 spot of ground that is capable of culture ; 
 and they value each possession in proportion 
 to the toil and danger it has cost them. 
 
 Thus, where nature would have frowned, 
 man's industry wins her into smiles j and 
 i6
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 5 
 
 perhaps there is something pecullady de- 
 lightful to the human heart, in this contrast 
 of rugged scenery with benevolent manners. 
 About the year 1690, at the extremityof 
 one of the vallies bordering a remote branch 
 of the Sogne-fiord, stood a low, stone cot- 
 tage. It was distant from any habitation 
 except a saw-mill, which, placed on the 
 steep and wooded bank of a romantic little 
 stream further down the valley, had long 
 formed a picturesque and cheerful object. 
 From the ivied windows of the stone cot- 
 tage, the eye passed over a pretty garden to 
 this saw-mill, with its hanging trees, and 
 dashing water ; thence ascending towards 
 the source of the river, traced its progress 
 from solitudes, where Alps rose on Alps, 
 and closed the scene. But alas ! even these 
 simple attractions were no more to interest 
 the accidental traveller! The saw-mill 
 ceased to be worked, the garden became 
 overgrown with weeds, and the dwelling 
 stood empty. The last owner had died, 
 leaving the cottage, the mill, and the 
 B 3
 
 6 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 ground on which they stood, to a distant 
 relation. 
 
 Nothing had been heard of this person 
 for many years ; but, after diligent search, 
 he was at length discovered living in ex- 
 treme penury in one of the French West 
 India islands. Having served as mate on 
 board a Danish trading vessel that occasion- 
 ally touched there, he had formed an at- 
 tachment vv'ith a French girl, married her, 
 gradually changed his religion for her's, and 
 finally quitted his perilous profession. En- 
 gaged in a land-trade of which he knew 
 nothing, even industry and honesty failed 
 of success. His wife brought him a nume- 
 rous, sickly offspring, (of whom none but 
 the youngest ever reached maturity,) and 
 died herself of a decline, after having passed 
 fifteen years with him in humble, but the 
 truest nuptial peace. Having lost the object 
 whose affection had bound him to her birth- 
 place, Dofrestom was beginning to groan 
 for his native land, when the unexpected 
 legacy of his cousin removed him at once
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 7 
 
 from poverty and exile, to home and com-, 
 fort. No ships being ready to sail for a 
 northern port, he took his passage in a 
 vessel bound for Bayonne ; certain that from 
 most parts of the French or Spanish coasts 
 he must be sure of a passage to Norway. 
 
 In the list of passengers were a noble 
 Spaniard, his wife, and their little son. 
 The Spaniard was a young man of a dig- 
 nified and interesting appearance ; his wife, 
 graceful and gracious. Though their air 
 and conduct bespoke them to be of high 
 rank, they had few attendants ; and they 
 exacted no particular respect from their 
 fellow-passengers. 
 
 The ship thus freighted, was wrecked in 
 the bay of Biscay, and amongst the few 
 persons saved, were Dofrestom, his son, 
 and the little Spaniard. 
 
 Through the roar of the storm, DofreS" 
 torn had heard the cry of the frantic 
 mother, calling on her husband to release 
 her from his arras, as he was trying to 
 lower her into the boat — calling on him to 
 
 B 4
 
 8 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 to save their Theodore. " He is safe ; he 
 is with me !" cried Dofrestom ; and as he 
 spoke, he held up the trembling boy from 
 the boat, into which he had leaped with him 
 apd his own son. A prayer and a blessing 
 were the last words he heard the unhappy 
 lady utter ; for the next moment she was 
 washed out of her husband's arms. Per- 
 haps, in the wild hope of saving her, the 
 distracted husband plunged into the seaj 
 but it was only to perish : the same wave 
 engulphed them both» 
 
 The boat, though crowded with people, 
 weathered the storm, and reached the 
 French shore. Shortly afterwards, pro- 
 curing a passage in another ship bound for 
 Bergen, Dofrestom set sail again, and hav- 
 ing gained the well-known port, proceeded, 
 without loss of time, to his new dwelling. 
 
 No sooner was he in possession of the 
 Stone Cottage, than every object around it 
 assumed an air of comfort. The garden 
 was cleared from weeds ; the juniper-trees 
 that fenced it were repaired j a cow and
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 9 
 
 some sheep were seen grazing in the pas- 
 tures, and the saw-mill again resounded 
 with the voice of cheerful labour. The 
 only near relation whom Dofrestom found 
 living, was a maiden sister -, — she became 
 the mistress of his little houshold. 
 
 By her hands the oaken tables and ebony 
 benches, in his parlour, were kept as bright 
 as glass ; pots of flowers were plaeed in 
 every window ; and the best chamber was 
 hung round with warm garments of her 
 own spinning. After sunset, the supper 
 she prepared of okerbergs and cream, or of 
 trout brought from an adjacent lake, was 
 always served on linen whiter than snow, 
 and seasoned by her alacrity and good- 
 humour. 
 
 Dofrestom's house soon grew into dis* 
 tinction for the hospitality, neatness, and 
 cheerfulness that were to be found there. 
 The nearest hamlet was three miles off 5 
 but whenever any of its simple inhabitants 
 proposed a holiday for themselves, or a 
 treat to the stranger^ whom business or 
 
 ^ S
 
 lO THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 curiosity brought to Aardal, they never 
 failed directing their steps to the Stone 
 Cottage. 
 
 A smiling welcome, wholesome fare, 
 with many a wondrous tale of foreign lands, 
 were all that Dofrestom had to give, but 
 he gave them freely. His excellent heart 
 had preserved much of its early simplicity, 
 and at the sports of the children, or the 
 pointless jokes of his neighbours, he^ould 
 still laugh as merrily as themselves. 
 
 To this amiable companionableness he 
 sdded much plain sense and sympathy. 
 The first exalted him into the arbiter of 
 his neighbours' disputes ; and the latter 
 made him alike the comforter of their 
 sorrows, and the heightener of their joys. 
 In short, Dofrestom and his sister Catherine 
 .were universally beloved and respected. 
 Completely settled, and satisfied with the 
 future prospect of his own son, he began 
 to turn his thoughts toward the hapless 
 orphan whom Providence had committed 
 to his care. Gentle, timid, and tender, the 
 
 II
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. II 
 
 sweet child had already twined hknself 
 round the heart of the worthy Dofrestom. 
 For a long time little Theodore remembered 
 his father and his mother distinctly ; and in 
 the midst of endearing prattle, as he hung 
 upon the neck of Catherine, would ask 
 where they were, and when he might go 
 to them. 
 
 Although he spoke often of their ship- 
 wreck, and that with strong emotions, he 
 had no clear idea of their fate ; and Cathe- 
 rine reluctantly undertook the task of 
 gradually impressing him with the convic- 
 tion that they were no more, and that he 
 must consider herself and Dofrestom in 
 the light of parents. It was too probable 
 indeed, that the poor child would never 
 know any warmer friends ; for too little was 
 known of his father's condition, to warrant 
 the hope of discovering his relations. 
 
 Dofrestom recollected, that when the 
 
 ship he sailed in for Bayonne took up Don 
 
 Balthazar and his v/ife at Madeira, they 
 
 were just landed on that island from a vessel 
 
 B 6
 
 12 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAT. 
 
 bound to Spain, but which, from stress of 
 weather, was obliged to stay there, and 
 refit. No one knew, therefore, nor en- 
 quired, whence they came, nor to what 
 province of Spain they were going. 
 
 Dofrestom had observed them frequently 
 in serious conversation as he passed on 
 deck, and from the tears in the eyes of the 
 lady, and the sadness in those of her hus- 
 band, he surmised that they were not in 
 happy circumstances. 
 
 One chance alone remained of discover- 
 ing the family of Theodore : it was by the 
 contents of a small ivory box, which had 
 been washed on shore after the wreck, and 
 brought to Dofrestom. The name of 
 Donna Aurelia Guevara carved in the 
 ivory, distinguished it as her property j and 
 Dofrestom, accepting it for her orphan, 
 opened it in presence of the sailor who 
 picked it up, and of two or three other 
 persons. 
 
 The contents were found to be several 
 packets of letters, evidently written by the
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY, 1 3 
 
 same hand, (they were all in Spanish, but 
 the signature of Balthazar Guevara suffi- 
 ciently proved them to be from the husband 
 of Donna Aurelia;) some trinkets of more 
 beauty than value j and a lock of very soft 
 brown hair, like the hair of a child. 
 
 Having ascertained that there was no sort 
 of coin in the box, Dofrestom closed it 
 again, and put his seal on the fastening. 
 He now thought of this box, and justly 
 concluded, that if ever any light were to be 
 thrown upon the birth of little Theodore, 
 it must proceed from those letters and trin- 
 kets. At any rate there was time enough 
 to ponder on what he should do, for many 
 years must pass ere the child himself would 
 be of an age to share in the solicitude of 
 his protector. 
 
 The pastor of the neighbouring villages^ 
 to whom he imparted these circumstances, 
 deemed any attempt at finding out the boy's 
 relations in so distant a country as Spain 
 a chimerical scheme ; he therefore re- 
 commended Dofrestom to lower the child's
 
 14 TPIE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 Ideas of his past situaiion, and never to re- 
 present his' parents but as ordinary persons. 
 By such means, Theodore would grow up 
 contented and industrious ; and instead of 
 wasting life in the pursuit of a rank, to 
 v/hich after all he might not be found to 
 have any claim, he would employ his youth 
 in building up a respectable character, and 
 an honest competence. 
 
 This advice was too rational to be disre- 
 garded by him who asked it ; Dofrestom 
 made it the rule of his conduct. 
 
 Meanwhile, the unconscious orphan gra- 
 dually lost the distinctness of his first 
 impressions ; he forgot his parents, and 
 recovering from the pensiveness into which 
 a change of habits had thrown him, grew 
 animated and delightful. Nothing could 
 be more graceful than his little figure, 
 nothing brighter than his intelligent coun- 
 tenance ; but the gaiety of that countenance 
 vanished the instant he feared to transgress 
 a rule or a wish of his protector ; and his 
 extreme sensibility to kindness, made no
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 15 
 
 Other spring than kindness necessary, for 
 the regulation of his conduct. 
 
 As he advanced in years, he became so 
 sensible to this peculiar feature of his own 
 character, that he learned to watch it with 
 a jealous eye, lest at any time it should de- 
 generate into weakness ; his notions of 
 right and wrong were so clearly defined, 
 that even in childhood he was more afraid 
 of his own censure than of another's wrath ; 
 and nobly disdainful of ridicule, when his 
 associates pressed him into a transgression, 
 he would say, " No; — I should be so 
 sorry afterwards :" — a simple phrase, but 
 it was the watch-word of infant virtue ; and 
 the same heart repeated it in manhood, 
 when the stronger temptations of the world 
 solicited him* to wider indulgence. 
 
 Nothing dazzling, nothing of what is 
 called uncommon quickness of capacity, 
 distinguished him from other boys ; but 
 determined application^ and close attention 
 to whatever his mind was applied to, made 
 the result continually in his favor.
 
 1 6 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 Desirous of knowledge, but not impe- 
 tuous in its pursuit, he did not rush towards 
 many objects at once ; attacking and con- 
 quering the sciences one by one, he con- 
 cluded by making himself master of them 
 all. 
 
 For the instruction of his earliest years 
 he was indebted to the care of the pastor of 
 Aardal ; and as he grew older, fortune 
 threw in his way an abler teacher, under 
 whom he acquired all that afterwards dis- 
 tinguished him in the province of Mind. 
 
 Very different was his friend Heinreich 
 Dofrestom : though his senior by two 
 years, this boy never gained the least de- 
 pendance upon himself ; he was to be 
 teazed or laughed out of every proper re- 
 solution. Whenever he acted from him- 
 self, it was by impulse, not principle ; and 
 though uncommonly good-natured and 
 social, an observer might have remarked 
 that the fear of punishment, or hope of 
 reward, had far greater weight with him 
 than his own approbation, or that of the
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY, I7 
 
 person he professed to love. An immo- 
 derate thirst for pleasure, and a habit of 
 thoughtlessness, were his leading faults ; 
 but they were so brilliantly concealed by 
 remarkable personal advantages, entertain- 
 ing spirits, ceaseless good-humour, and 
 general talents, that even the sensible Do- 
 frestoni considered them as the natural 
 blemishes of lively youth ; and Catherine 
 hailed them as the prognostics of future 
 greatness. 
 
 Heinreich was twelve, and Theodore 
 ten, when an event, trifling in appearance, 
 gave their separate destinies that bias from 
 which they never afterwards swerved. 
 
 A brother of the pastor came to live in 
 the valley of Aardal. He was a man of 
 gigantic attainments : the literature of all 
 ages, and of every country, was familiar to 
 him ; he had explored the sciences with the 
 accuracy of one who seeks to detect errors 
 as well as to find truths ; and his laborious 
 researches into the origin of nations, and of 
 languages, had already rendered his name
 
 1 8 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 celebrated throughout Europe. But the 
 victim of a distempered suspicion of his 
 fellow-creatures, and outraged by the pre- 
 ference of a rival to the academical honors 
 of Copenhagen, he had taken the resolu- 
 tion of retiring from the world, and bury- 
 ing himself, with his books, his ill-temper, 
 and his learning, amongst his native moun- 
 tains. 
 
 Without any tenderness. Professor Ser- 
 gendal had great warmth of heart : he had 
 employed zeal, and money, and pains to 
 serve both his friends and his acquaintance : 
 but in spite of these claims on forbearance, 
 his outrageous and suspicious temper always 
 ended by driving them from him ; and what 
 he had banished by insult, he accused of 
 ingratitude. 
 
 A cottage, of still better appearance thai; 
 Dofrestom's, was soon erected for this phi- 
 losopher, in the same valley ; and, accom- 
 panied by a favourite servant only, he took 
 possession of it in sullen dignity.
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 1 9 
 
 It was many weeks before he conde- 
 scended to take any personal notice of Do- 
 frestom's neighbourly kindness, or of Ca- 
 therine's presents of knitted hose, bloberg 
 jam, and cream-cheese. But at length a 
 slight circumstance allured him to the cot- 
 tage. He was taking his regular walk 
 towards the fiord, when he perceived a 
 boy climbing hastily one of the most fright- 
 ful of the granite rocks that overhang its 
 stormy water. He was too near-sighted to 
 discover whether the lad was in search of 
 birds' eggs, or sea plants 5 but he stopped 
 to watch his hazardous exploit, and to 
 rebuke him for it, when he should come 
 ^own. 
 
 After experiencing some uneasy sensa- 
 tions for the fate of the little adventurer, 
 he had the satisfaction to see him alight, 
 with no other hurt than what was given his 
 hands by the sharp points he had clung to. 
 
 " What have you been about, you young 
 dog r" asked the professor.
 
 20 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 Theodore (for it was he) answered 
 gently, " Only putting up a little alk that 
 had fallen from the nest." 
 
 " And what put it into your head to do 
 so, child ?." 
 
 " The poor little thing would have died 
 if I had not ; it dropped upon yon cluster 
 of wild spinach, and that was worse than 
 if it had gone at once into the sea.'* 
 
 " Go ! you are a foolish boy to balance 
 your life with that of a bird ; — but here is 
 a rix-dollar for you." 
 
 Theodore put it by, with a smile ; " I 
 do'n't want it;" — then suddenly recollecting 
 himself, he added, " yes, — I forgot — I do 
 want it. I'll take it home, Sir, if you'll 
 have the goodness to give it me." 
 
 " And what will you do with it ?" 
 
 « Buy a book." 
 
 The sparkling joy that brightened his 
 eyes as he spoke» astonished the professor. 
 " A book, child ! did I hear you right ? 
 Where are books to be bought here ?" 
 
 " O not here^ but at Lavanger fair they
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 21 
 
 are ; and we generally have neighbours go 
 there every winter ; one of them would buy 
 it for me." 
 
 " And pray, my pretty boy, what book 
 would you like ?*' 
 
 *' Any Latin one,*' was the answer. 
 
 This unexpected reply drew forth a mul- 
 titude of questions from the professor, who 
 was not long of discovering, that in this 
 ch'ild of obscurity he had fOund a mine of 
 intellectual enjoyment for himself. 
 
 From that period he went often to see 
 Dofrestom ; and gratified by the profound 
 respect with which he was received in his 
 little circle, frequently launched out into 
 learned disquisition, and profound analysis, 
 of which not one of his auditors but the 
 little orphan comprehended a single sen- 
 tence. 
 
 More and moi-e pleased with the increas- 
 ing attention of Theodore to any subject he 
 discussed, he one dby proposed giving him 
 lessons in the mathematics : the proposal 
 was joyfully accepted.
 
 22 THE RECLUSE OF NORV/AV. 
 
 From that period the professor took hlni 
 regularly under his tuition, and during the 
 space of nine years, laboured to transplant 
 his own knowledge into the mind of his 
 pupil/ 
 
 Heinreich, meanwhile, had a different 
 master, and widely different pursuits. 
 
 Naturally ingenious, he was one of those 
 persons of whom it is said, they can do 
 whatever they like : he would have excelled 
 in all the imitative arts, had he chosen to 
 study their principles ; but except for music 
 he would not give himself a moment's 
 trouble. 
 
 To this enchanting accomplishment na- 
 ture indeed had directed his choice by the 
 gift of a melodious voice, and a delicate 
 ear. His own ingenuity taught him to 
 construct musical instruments of reeds and 
 shells. The flute he formed with a cane, 
 produced under his breath sounds that well 
 might be mistaken by less ignorant ears 
 than those of the surrounding peasantry, 
 for the voices of their fabled wood-spirits.
 
 THE RECLOSE OP NORWAY. 23 
 
 The professor loved harmony ; and when- 
 ever a fit of peculiar gloom or ill-humour 
 attacked him, he sought a remedy in the 
 violin of his servant Christian. It was 
 natural for Christian to like admiration 
 as well as his master; and when the 
 professor and Theodore were studying 
 above, he and young Heinreich were prac- 
 tising, and mutually praising each other 
 belov/. 
 
 At these times Christian would launch 
 out into an enumeration of all who had 
 made fortunes, and risen to celebrity by the 
 possession of such a talent and person as 
 Heinreich's ; then he described the theatre 
 of Copenhagen, and the gay life that was 
 led there j and, in short, ended by kindling 
 an ardent desire for public admiration in the 
 light mind of his auditor. 
 
 Pleased with the developement of his 
 son's fine voice, and his proficiency on the 
 violin, Dofrestom would have thought him- 
 self a harsh parent had he refused him per« 
 mission to learn the elements of music from
 
 24 THE RECLUSE OF XORV/AY. 
 
 Christian. He therefore suffered him to 
 pas? that time in this seducing study, which 
 the higher-pitched mind of Theodore de- 
 voted to nobler purposes. 
 
 Each boy had his allotted portion of la- 
 bour in the garden, the field, and the mill : 
 they worked with Dofrestom, and when 
 their task was over, the remaining hours 
 were at their own disposal, for pleasure or 
 improvement. 
 
 As Heinreich was already sufficiently in- 
 structed for his probable lot in life, his 
 father ceased now ro excite in him any emu- 
 lation to rival bis younger companion. But 
 aware that Theodore's true station was not 
 one of obscurity, he encouraged him to 
 enrich his soul with all the treasures of his 
 teacher*s. 
 
 Theodore, indeed, did not learn from 
 the Professor Sergendal what belonged to 
 intellect only ; he was warned by his ex- 
 ample to shudder at the tyranny of an 
 uncontrolled temper, and to lament that 
 the best qualities of the heart may be
 
 THE RECLL'SL Ob NORWAY. 25 
 
 obscured or perverted by one fatal pro* 
 pensity. 
 
 Without slavlshness of spirit, he became 
 anxious to charm away those fits of mixed 
 violence and sullenness, to which the un- 
 happy man had given way during a life of 
 sixty years ; and thus studying to lead 
 another, Theodore learned to command 
 himself. 
 
 Gratitude and compassion kept pace with 
 each other's growth in his heart; and though 
 tears would sometimes start into his youth- 
 ful eyes, when unjustly menaced or struck 
 by his preceptor, no bitter word escaped his 
 lips.. 
 
 Studious and gentle, still Theodore had 
 the gaiety of his age : he enjoyed the rural 
 games and exercises of his young com- 
 panions, and he enjoyed them with a full- 
 ness of spirits, that seemed for the time to 
 transform him into a different creature. 
 He loved also, the elegant arts, and he 
 longed to practise them ; but feeling that 
 his other employments did not allow him 
 
 VOL. I. C
 
 20 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 time for excellence in any of them, and 
 having too fine a taste to be contented with 
 mere attempts, he relinquished the graces 
 of music solely to Heinreich. 
 
 Three years of alternate application and 
 relaxation had flown away since the resi- 
 dence of the professor at Aardal, when 
 business carried Dofrestom to Lavanger. 
 As it was the season of the fair, he took 
 his two boys with him. 
 
 The boys were amused with a week's 
 residence in that busy port. They were 
 walking on the quay the evening before 
 their return home, when a sailor met, and 
 accosted Dofrestom. It was the man who 
 had picked up the casket of Donna A.ure- 
 lia : he was still a seaman, and just going 
 another voyage. 
 
 In their short dialogue, Theodore's 
 memory was awakened from its long 
 trance ; for they spoke of his parents, and 
 they mutually remarked his resemblance to 
 Don Balthazar. In the midst of this dis- 
 course the sailor was summoned away by 
 
 i
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 27 
 
 tha voice of one of his comrades, and Do-. 
 frestom returned to his lodgings. 
 
 Theodore did not suffer him to proceed 
 in silence : he intreated him to relate every 
 particufar of his parents, and of the wreck ; 
 and displayed the most painful anxiety to 
 learn if there were any trace left of the 
 family to which he belonged. 
 
 "And if you could discover your rela- 
 tions, would you leave me in my old age, 
 my son ?" asked Dofrestom. 
 
 Theodore paused a moment; then turning 
 his moistened eyes towards the good man, 
 steadily answered, " Never, while you 
 wished for, or needed me ; but surely it is 
 natural to desire to belong really to some- 
 body : and if my relations were rich and 
 great, then I should be able to shew hov/ 
 much I love you and aunt Catherine and 
 Heinreich." 
 
 '' Your father did not appear rich, my 
 dear boy," replied Dofrestom, " and there- 
 fore not likely to have been great : so you 
 c 2
 
 28 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 had better forget that you were not born in 
 Norway." 
 
 " Well, if they are poor then, returned 
 Theodore, still they are my relations, and I 
 might some day have the power of assisting 
 them. I wonder if I have any brothers or 
 sisters." He sighed as he spoke 5 and Do- 
 frestom was going to answer, when a lively 
 exclamation of Heinreich about some passing 
 objects, afforded him an excuse for changing 
 the conversation* 
 
 During their journey home, Dofrestom 
 and Theodore were silent upon this subject, 
 though it was equally the occupation of 
 their thoughts. Theodore was too delicate 
 to urge any thing, however interesting to 
 his own feelings, when he saw it was re- 
 pugnant to the person he discoursed with ; 
 and Dofrestom feared, by continued dis- 
 cussion, to awaken wishes that he had not 
 the means of gratifying, and hopes which 
 had no prospect of accomplishment. Theo- 
 dore's lips were silent, but his mind was 
 discoursing with the past and the future.
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 2g 
 
 He Strained his memory to recall events 
 long since forgotten ; events which child- 
 hood could never register, because to child- 
 hood they would be uninteresting : yet he 
 fancied that he could recollect many such. 
 
 For once he mistook imagination for 
 memory, and gave to her specious images 
 the confidence he should have yielded to 
 truth alone. Ideal personages, upon whom 
 his heart bestowed the endearing titles of 
 father and mother, seemed, to rise before 
 him, and to reproach him for having lived 
 thus long without lamenting them. 
 
 Again he witnessed their melancholy 
 fate, — again the cry of his mother rung on 
 his ear : he thought over the dismal scene, 
 till, forgetting the presence of Dofrestom 
 and Heinreich, his full heart was on the 
 point of breaking out into words, to the 
 mournful shades of his parents. 
 
 No sooner did Dofrestom find leisure 
 after his return home, than he hastened to 
 beg a private interview with the oracle of the
 
 ^O THE RFXLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 valley. Professor Sergendal. He went, pro- 
 vided with the ivory box. 
 
 The professor was ah*eady acquainted 
 with the history of the orphan ; and being 
 familiar with the Spanish language, easily 
 collected from the letters all that it was im- 
 portant to know. 
 
 They proved Don Balthazar to be of high 
 rank, as he frequently spoke of his father 
 by the title of the Conde Roncezvalles ; 
 but they decidedly shewed that Donna Au- 
 reiia was not acknowladged by her husband^s 
 family. Several unsuccessful attempts of 
 the writer were detailed, for procuring some 
 diplomatic situation at a foreign court ; and 
 it appeared as if he had made those attempts 
 solely to remove his wife and an infant 
 daughter from the persecution of his rela- 
 tions. It was evident, therefore, tliat little 
 could be expected for the grandchild, from 
 a man who seemed so unrelenting to his son: 
 the professor consequently added his opinion 
 to that of his brother, recommending the 
 entire sunoression of this casket, and ad-
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 3 1 
 
 vising Dofrestoin to treat any aspirations of 
 the young Guevara after Spain, as an affront 
 Vo himself. 
 
 To pass such a sentence upon the hopes 
 and ambition of a spirit which sought power, 
 for the gratification of the noblest desires 
 only, cost little to the professor : he was 
 soured to all of his species who either acted, 
 or wished to act their part in public civilized 
 life ; absorbed in scientific researches, the 
 pursuits of associated men appeared in his 
 eyes idle and worthless. But Dofrestom's 
 heart rebelled against his reason, as he 
 yielded to the force of the professor's ar- 
 guments ; for he knew the delights of bene- 
 volence by experience ; and he felt that a 
 wider sphere for its exercise, is nobly worth 
 the struggle. He returned home, serious 
 and troubled. 
 
 c 4
 
 CHAPTER IL 
 
 "^/f EANWHILE5 Theodore was revolving 
 all that had passed between his adopted 
 father and the sailor : visions of future for- 
 tune certainly floated through his fancy, 
 but the tender idea of having some brother 
 or sister that was hereafter to constitute the 
 joy of his life, and to share his heart with 
 Heinreich, predominated over every other. 
 
 For several days his thoughts refused to 
 take a different direction ; and as an apology 
 for slowness of comprehension one morning 
 while studying Greek with the professor, 
 he ventured to express the emotion that 
 agitated him. 
 
 The stern displeasure with which this first 
 confidence of his youthful heart was re- 
 ceived, made an indelible impression upon 
 Theodore. Instead of gently and reasonably
 
 THiT RECLUSE OF NORWAY. ^^ 
 
 discussing the matter, the professoi* thun- 
 dered forth an invective against his childish- 
 ness ; accused him of estimating the pakry 
 baubles of wealth and pleasure beyond the 
 manly distinction of subdued passions and 
 cultivated faculties ; and roughly pointed 
 out the obstacles his peculiar situation op- 
 posed to any plan he might form of visiting 
 Spain. 
 
 He spoke of it as of a career more pre- 
 posterous than that of Don Quixotte, for it 
 would be undertaken in search of relations 
 who perhaps existed only in his own ima- 
 gination. After much argument, and more 
 violence, he concluded with this hard but 
 prudent maxim : " Go, go, child ; dis- 
 miss these absurd chimeras ; and remember 
 while you live, always to consider improba- 
 bilities as impossibilities." Theodore bowed 
 in token of obedience; his heart was too 
 full for speech. He stood a few moments 
 to conquer himself, before he ventured to 
 resume the reading their dialogue had inter- 
 rupted. For the first time in his life, he 
 c 5
 
 34 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 felt a glow of resentment against the valua* 
 ble instructor to \vhom he owed so much. 
 He knew that resentment was just, for the 
 professor had treated an amiable feeling as 
 a crime ; and Theodore would not, there- 
 fore, debase himself by striving to banish 
 the expression of that feeling from his face. 
 
 However, the sudden and continued pale- 
 ness of his cheek, and the cold seriousness 
 of his air, attracted no further attention : 
 the professor had given vent to his ill 
 humour, and was now absorbed in contem- 
 plation of the divine Socrates. From this 
 period, the character of Theodore visibly 
 changed ; he became silent and thoughtful, 
 even in society of his own age ; he ceased 
 to take delight in sports or exercises, pre- 
 ferring a solitary ramble amongst the most 
 retired places, to the cheerful clamour of 
 rural games. 
 
 That glow of inward happiness, which 
 generally brightens every youthful face, gra- 
 dually faded from his, and a pale, pensive 
 expression succeeded. Without losing his 
 
 3
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 35 
 
 health, he lost his spirits ; and, unable to 
 recover from the shock he had sustained by 
 the professor's harsh return to his confi- 
 dence, he grew reserved even to Heinreich. 
 
 Yet to Heinreich he was ardently attached; 
 for, indeed, Heinreich had the pov/er of 
 attaching every body. He was so glowingly 
 handsome, so unceasingly amusing and good 
 tempered, that no one ever thought how 
 incompatible such constant gaiety was with 
 much sympathy. 
 
 He had a felicitous talent for mimickry ; 
 and was accustomed not only to represent 
 the looks and manners of every person he 
 saw, but the peculiarities of household ani- 
 mals, and the phenomena of nature. 
 
 No one could refuse being entertained by 
 him, for nothing of satire entered into his 
 imitations ; and generally, after he had 
 gone the round of every animate and inani- 
 mate object before him, he would end by 
 identifying his own peculiarities and absur- 
 dities. 
 
 Frequently charmed out of melancholy 
 c 6
 
 36 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 thoughts by this talent of his companion, 
 Theodore imputed the effect to a higher 
 cause, and gave lielnreich credit for the 
 kindest motives, when, in reality, he was 
 only indulging his own laughter-loving in- 
 clinations. 
 
 For many months Theodore was unable 
 to shake off the dejection into which the 
 renewal of his childish impressions had 
 plunged him. But it was not the character 
 of such a mind as his to indulge for ever in 
 speculation: he pondered on all that was 
 possible to be done in his case, till he at 
 length concluded that it w^as practicable to 
 find out the sailor again, to enquire what he 
 remembered of Don Balthazar ; to go into 
 Spain, and by application to any person 
 bearing the name of Guevara, endeavour to 
 discover some of his father's family. 
 
 Satisfied of its practicability, Theodore 
 determined to^ pursue that method : the re- 
 solution incited him to fresh diligence in the 
 pursuit of knowledge. Greater acquire- 
 ine^its would either serve to grace a nobler
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 37 
 
 State, or to elevate him from an humble 
 one: they iiiight also furnish him -.viih the 
 means of honourable support, while travel- 
 ling through the country he meant to cearch. 
 Fixing the period for this purpose at the 
 termination of boyhood, he made up his 
 mind to the delay ; and recov ring his 
 former animation, without any of its gaiety, 
 he returned with double vigour to his old 
 habits. 
 
 The resolution formed, and the plan di- 
 gested, he communicated it to his friend 
 Heinreich ; concluding his confidence by 
 observing, that as Dofrestom always intend- 
 ed his son to share his own easy station of 
 an independent cultivator of their own land, 
 Theodore would undertake his wandering 
 life without the self-reproach of leaving his 
 benefactor deprived of a companion and 
 assistant. 
 
 What was his surprise to hear Heinreich 
 abruptly declare, that nothing should^ in- 
 duce him to bury himself all his days in 
 such a nook as Aardal ; that he had lone 
 determined to quit it, and meant to ask his
 
 38 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 father's leave to do so ; that he was sure his 
 voice and his proficiency in music would 
 make his fortune at last ; and that he was 
 only waiting for the annual arrival of a 
 young companion from Christiana, who 
 knew all about those matters, before he 
 mentioned the scheme to his father. 
 
 " And what is your scheme, my dear 
 Heinreich V* 
 
 " O ! to get in some capacity or other to 
 Copenhagen ; sing and play to some great 
 musician, and then study under him till I 
 am perfect : after that, the road is all upon 
 velvet. Christian has told me a hundred 
 stories of persons with a voice and a genius 
 like mine, who have ruled every court they 
 went to : and as I am not ill-looking into 
 the bargain, I don't think it is very out of 
 the way to suppose I may marry well. At 
 any rate, what's the use of singing like a 
 choir of angels to such an audience as trees 
 and stones ? Any growling fellow can do 
 more work in the saw-mill or the field than 
 I can 5 so my father will be no loser by my
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY* 39 
 
 absence, and will gain at last the honour 
 of being father to the greatest musician in 
 Europe." 
 
 " Then I must stay with him." — Theo- 
 dore spoke with an unsteady voice, for his 
 heart shrunk from the inconsideration of 
 Heinreich. A joyous burst of laughter ac- 
 companied his companion's reply. 
 
 " You stay with him ! What ! by way 
 of enlivening him and aunt Catherine ! You 
 are incomparable, we know, at that work ! 
 Nay, don't look tv/enty times more like a 
 cogitating raven than ever, my dear Theo : 
 you know I love you, in spite of your clouds 
 and rain, so you may let me jest about 
 them. But what need you stay ? Can't we 
 both start at once, and see who wins at last ? 
 My father has plenty of work, and of neigh- 
 bours to entertain him ; and if he had not, 
 has he not had his day of seeing the world, 
 and should not v^e have ours ?'* 
 
 Theodore gently, but firmly, checked his 
 levity upon so sacred a subject as the com- 
 fort of a parent. Heinreich then confessed
 
 40 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 that it would be very hard if both boys weiie 
 to d. sert DoVresiom at the same time; yet 
 still he persisted in his determination of 
 quitting^ the valley. 
 
 Theo ore, chilled and disappointed,, 
 though trying to pacify his heart with va- 
 riou:^ partial excuses for Heinreich's selfish- 
 ness, baid no more, ami betook hmiself to 
 a portion of his da ly work in the garden. 
 There, as he dug up the earth round the 
 roots of Cathenne's favourite shrubs, some 
 scalding tears mingled with the mould. It 
 was the first time he bad thought Heinreich 
 unkind : for what was the indulgence of 
 vanity, compared with his desire for honest 
 independence, and natural yearning after 
 kindred ? In Heinreich*s place, he would 
 have sacrificed such a paltry ambition to far 
 less than the future destiny of a brother ; 
 yet Heinreich did not seem to dream that 
 such a sacrifice could be expected.. 
 
 Poor Theodore ! again faded all thy 
 bright visions of endearing connections and 
 benevolent exertions ; and with them went 
 
 7
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NOIiWAY. 4 1 
 
 for a while thy deh'ght and security in the 
 affection of Heinreich. 
 
 But the next day his mental sunshine re- 
 turned : Heinreich was in more than his 
 usual spirits, and talked of what he would 
 do next year in the valley ; what he would 
 construct ; what he would see flourishing in 
 a twelvemonth ; what in twice that time : 
 in short, he was so fertile in distant plans, 
 and each plan was so sure to have home for 
 its scene of action, that Theodore concluded 
 he had either not meant what he said in 
 their conversation the day before, or that 
 better thoughts had conquered the selfish 
 impulse. 
 
 Had he once more spoken seriously on 
 the subject, he v/ould have found that all 
 this system of pastoral life was the mere 
 sport of momentary fancy, uttered without 
 the least intention of realizing it ; and that 
 Heinreich was as selfish and determined as 
 ever. 
 
 But wnth a little cowardice of the heart 
 Tthe fault of affectionate characters), Theo-
 
 '42 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 dore avoided the possibility of being wound- 
 ed again by a hand so dear : he was silent, 
 therefore, and he was deceived. 
 
 In consequence of this delusion, he pro- 
 ceeded in the plan he had formerly laid 
 down, and by the increased steadiness of 
 his application, and stricter exercise of pa- 
 tience, under the varieties of his preceptor^s 
 humour, he acquired whatever he sought. 
 
 Of the principal dead languages he was 
 already master ; but Spanish was now the 
 object of his wishes, and unwilling to draw 
 forth angry observations from the professor, 
 by particularly declaring his inclination to- 
 wards it, he expressed a general desire to 
 learn any modern language with which his 
 master was acquainted. 
 
 To instruct him was at once the amuse- 
 ment and the pride of Sergendal : for he 
 secretly cherished a hope, that at a futnre 
 day this unvi^earied scholar would make a 
 distinguished figure in the annals of htera- 
 ture ; and that, taught to estimate the tutor's 
 moral and intellectual value by that of the
 
 THE RECrUSE OF NORWAY. 43 
 
 mind he had formod, the world would 
 mourn in sackcloth and ashes over its folly 
 and ingratitude to him. 
 
 Many hours of the bright Norwegian 
 nights were thus employed by the professor, 
 in this additional branch of instruction. 
 
 Though England was not then, as now, 
 the citadel of the world, the foundations of 
 her glory were already laid, and Theodore 
 thirsted for the literature of a nation at once 
 so brave and so sage. 
 
 He began, therefore, with the English 
 language; and it was only at distant in- 
 tervals that he successively mastered the 
 French, Italian, Spanish, and German. — 
 Amused by the sprightly talent of the 
 French, delighted with the brilliant imagi- 
 nation of the Italians, he read their produc- 
 tions without longing to emulate them ; but 
 the philosophers and poets of Britain rea- 
 lized all his ideas of human excellence. 
 
 Bacon and Shakespeare, those mighty 
 masters of the heart and the understanding, 
 became his constant study : the powers of
 
 44 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 his understanding wer^ unfolded by the one ; 
 the affections of his heart developed by the 
 other. Shakespeare made him enamoured 
 of virtue, taught him to scrutinize himself, 
 and shewed him, ere he entered the world, 
 all its delights and all its dangers. 
 
 It was thus that a youth brought up in 
 retirement learned to dread even his best 
 propensities, and to strip the idols of man- 
 kind (ambition and glory) of the brilliant 
 covering with which they dazzle the mul- 
 titude. 
 
 Gratefully anxious to repay the trouble 
 of instructing him, Theodore transcribed 
 the same MSS. again and again for his 
 master ; bore with his wrath for a single 
 word omitted or mistaken ; and finally 
 crowned all, by never leaving the pillow of 
 Sergendal during an infectious fever, which 
 frightened away every other attendant. 
 
 When the professor recovered, and was 
 made sensible of Theodore's courageous af- 
 fection, he confessed that at last he had 
 found gratitude, and solemnly announced.
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 45 
 
 to his neighbours, that he meant to bequeath 
 ail he might die possessed of to the youth 
 whose care had preserved his Ufe. 
 
 The worthy pastor having fallen a victim 
 to the disorder that spared his brother, Ser- 
 gendal was left without any natural heirs ; 
 Dofrestom made no attempt, therefore, to 
 alter his generous design. 
 
 The first day of the professor being out 
 after his illness was the birth-day of Hein- 
 reich ; and the happy father begged to ce- 
 lebrate both these agreeable events together. 
 
 It was the meridian of a northern sum- 
 mer, and Heinrcich was just eighteen. 
 
 After a supper supplied by the dairy and 
 the garden, at which the cheerful Cathe- 
 rine and her handmaid waited according to 
 the Norwegian custom, Dofrestom and she, 
 with the professor and the rest of their 
 neighbours, sat down in a stone-porch front- 
 ing the setting sun. 
 
 On a grassy mound, gay with clusters of 
 those beautiful pinks peculiar to alpine 
 scenery, stood a sun-dial : the shadow
 
 46 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 pointed to the hour of four. Not far dis- 
 tant, under the shade of a large box-tree, 
 leaned Christian, with his violin :. and 
 grouped together, ready for the singular 
 yet pleasing dance of their country, stood 
 Heinreich and his friends. 
 
 At the first sound of the instrument, 
 Heinreich led off the dance uith a grace and 
 a gaiety which heightened the brilliancy of 
 his shewy person : his bright blue eyes, 
 flashing through clusters of amber hair, 
 animated wherever they turned ; health and 
 conscious superiority out-glowed upon his 
 cheek the sunny apples that were ripening 
 above his head ; he moved with the elasti- 
 city of vigour, and the elegance of ease : 
 admiration, both from old and young, fol- 
 lowed his steps. 
 
 A warmer, yet less clamorous sentiment 
 was given to Theodore. His gently-ani- 
 mated air had the charm of natural grace ; 
 and the sweet smile of his eyes, as well as of 
 his lips, touched the hearts of the lookers-
 
 THE RECLUSE -"OF NORWAY. 47 
 
 on, more than the sparkling glances of 
 Heinreich. 
 
 Theodore seemed to dance to please others 
 more than himself; and without being able 
 to analyse the impression they received, the 
 honest peasants felt its full force. 
 
 Beauty! genius! fascination! what is 
 your honour when compared with that of 
 goodness ? We struggle against you all, but 
 we yield, without resistance, to the charm 
 of an amiable heart ! 
 
 After the dance, various little gatr.es, 
 songs, stories, succeeded. Heinreich exhi- 
 bited his whole stock of talent ; and never 
 had he been so agreeable. It is true he did 
 this for the delight of being admired ; but 
 he never suifered himself to find that out; 
 and no one else, except the professor, m,ade 
 the discovery for him. 
 
 •Amongst the happiest efforts of Hen- 
 reich's mimickry was the fair of Lavanger. 
 He contrived to represent the various sightsj 
 uproar, bustle, and business of that crowded 
 place so exactly, by his gestures and his
 
 4-5 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 voice, that for the time he transported his 
 audience into the very scene. He now com- 
 menced this entertaining exhibition with 
 more than his usual spirit ; and concluded 
 it by imitating a chorus of Norwegian fisher- 
 men, singing the national air of " For 
 Norget's/' &c. At that darling sound, 
 even the professor started up, and joined 
 the now-universal song. Dofrestom's honest 
 heart glowed with patriotic and paternal joy. 
 He could not refrain from grasping Hen- 
 reich in his arms, and exclaiming by way 
 of apology, as he released him, " I am 
 proud of my boy !" 
 
 Henreich felt this the proper mood 
 for him to beg a boon. Kissing the silver- 
 ing head of his father, he whispered, •' I 
 have something to beg of you by and by ; I 
 am sure you won't refuse me what Task." 
 
 Dofrestom smiled encouragingly ; and 
 repeating, " Well, by and by, my child," 
 dismissed Henreich to join his companions. 
 
 Theodore enjoyed his friend's triumph, 
 with a delight that sparkled in his eyes
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 49 
 
 Without being uttered by his tongue ; and 
 having no idea of rivalry, he employed 
 himself in attending to the minor gratifica- 
 tions of the company. 
 
 For the aged, he placed seats where the 
 sun or the wind might not incommode them. 
 His penetration discovered which partner 
 was most pleasing to the young women, and 
 he managed to marshal t'hem accordingly. 
 He shaded the blunders of the aukward, dis- 
 sipated the fears of the bashful, and saw that 
 no one looked round in vain for Catherine's 
 delicious whey or cheerful possets. In 
 short, his benevolent spirit was every where,- 
 in the shape of innumerable attentions, 
 that fell noiseless, but not fruitless, on the 
 hearts to which they were addressed. 
 
 Meanwhile the pleasure of obliging, and 
 of sympathising with his companions, re- 
 paid him amply in personal enjoyment. He 
 was even gayer than Hemreich ; for, all 
 given to mirth, he felt not his anxiety to be 
 admired : the richer quality of his mind 
 made it more fruitful in witty allusions and 
 
 VOL. I. D
 
 50 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 amusing anecdotes ; and though most of his 
 auditors were too ignorant to follow the 
 sports of such a fancy through all its agree- 
 able absurdities, yet they understood enough 
 to laugh quite as much as he either wished 
 or expected. 
 
 At a late hour this rural gala ended, and 
 the dwellers at the cottage were left to 
 themselves. Catherine retired immediately 
 to bed ; but, anxious to seize the favour- 
 able moment, Heinreich detained his father, 
 making asign for Theodore not to leave them. 
 
 He began his petition by a very eloquent 
 eulogium upon his father's indulgent affec- 
 tion, upon the happiness he was certain it 
 v/ould bestow on such a tender parent to 
 know his only son happy, and in the road 
 to preferment. He then detailed the plea- 
 sures and honours that he was told always 
 followed the successful pursuit of the fine 
 arts ; specified his own talent and passion 
 for music ; and wound up his oration by 
 taking it for granted, that from all these 
 considerations his father's consent was a 
 matter of course.-
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 5! 
 
 Thunderstruck with this unexpected de- 
 mand, Dofrestom was speechless, while his 
 son continued rapidly to describe his views, 
 his plans, his hopes, his advisers. Chris- 
 tian had warned him to secrecy in his case ; 
 he therefore only mentioned Ulric Eisen- 
 bach, his friend, from Christiana. 
 
 This young man had brought the intel- 
 ligence of the first composer in the world's 
 being then at Copenhagen : his account of 
 this prodigy had determined Heinreich to 
 set off immediately for Denmark ; where he 
 meant to hear the melodious wonder, and 
 become his pupil. 
 
 To have listened to Heinreich, any one 
 from another planet must have supposed 
 that a fine voice was another word for om- 
 nipotence in this : he never admitted the 
 possibility of disappointment. As surprized 
 as Dofrestom, Theodore stood silent ; Do- 
 frestom at length spoke. 
 
 Every thing that a rational, a virtuous, 
 and a fond father might be supposed to say, 
 was advanced by him to soften and explain 
 
 D 2
 
 5^ THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 his refusal. He had been an adventurer 
 himself, — in an humbler way, it is true, — ■ 
 but he had felt enough in his own person, 
 and seen enough in those of others, not to 
 be certain that a life of adventure is at best 
 but a life of lottery ; and that the surpriz- 
 ing chance of its greatest prize is, after all, 
 not to be put in competition with the peace- 
 ful, respectable life of independent security. 
 
 He dwelt much and seriously upon the 
 moral dangers to which the professors of 
 so bewitching an art as music are peculiarly 
 exposed ; dangers which must increase 
 when a handsome person, and social tem- 
 per, were added to the scale. 
 
 He concluded with lamenting that he 
 must be deprived of the domestic sunshine 
 he had looked forward to, as the brightener 
 of old age ; and that, agitated by continual 
 anxiety for a son so dear, he would lose 
 not only the cheerfulness, but the peace he 
 had hitherto enjoyed. 
 
 Heinreich combatted these arguments as 
 well as lie could, and what he wanted In
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 53 
 
 force he made up in obstinacy. Each party 
 appealed to Theodore. 
 
 Loving both, grieved for both, Theo- 
 dore endeavoured to stifle his own disap- 
 pointment, while he gently decided against 
 Heinreich. 
 
 Too good-humoured to utter' his sus- 
 picion that the young censor's opinion was 
 influenced by selfish considerations, Hein- 
 reich heard him patiently, then burst forth 
 into a repetition of his former argu- 
 ments, and with more than his former ve- 
 hemence. 
 
 He talked of Theodore's assistance and 
 company, as excellent substitutes for his ; 
 never once appearing to think, that one so 
 formed to shine in society could be other 
 wise than happy in obscurity. 
 
 Theodore's heart was wounded by this 
 thoughtlessness; yet he kept repeating to 
 himself " It is nothing but thoughtlessness, 
 he does not mean to hurt me," till he per- 
 suaded himself that his own fastidious sen- 
 sibility was alone to blame, 
 
 i> 3
 
 54 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 The discussion at last terminated in a 
 debate ; for Dofrestom when chafed could 
 be roused. The son was obstinate, the 
 father angry ; and the gentleness of Theo- 
 dore in vain tried to appease the storm. 
 At length Dofrestom ended the conference, 
 by commanding his son to give up all 
 thoughts of any other situation than the 
 one he should bequeath to him. 
 
 Heinreich was awed by the severe frown 
 and stern voice of his father : he paused a 
 few moments ; then clearing away the 
 clouds from his own brow, said, " Well 
 father, if it must be so it must ; and I sup- 
 pose I shall be chief singing angel in Heaven 
 for my obedience.'* 
 
 With the lively confidence of one who is 
 sure of making his peace whenever he 
 chuses, he now kissed his father's cheek, 
 over which a tender tear was stealing, hefd 
 out his hand to Theodore, who squeezed 
 it with affectionate pleasure ; and harmony 
 thus restored, they parted for the night. 
 
 Heinreich had submitted in appearance,
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY, ^^ 
 
 but not in fact. He was still resolute to 
 follow his own inclinations; and having all 
 his life accustomed himself to do whatever 
 they prompted, he retained no clear notion 
 of moral obligations. He thought only of 
 doing what he meant to do, in the quietest 
 manner possible ; and for this purpose sud- 
 denly affected obedience, considering the 
 artifice laudable that was to prevent useless 
 contention. 
 
 His brain was heated with the ideas of 
 future fame and fortune, suggested by 
 Christian ; and we must do him the justice 
 to say, that from the many chateaux d'Es- 
 pagne erected by his extravagant expecta- 
 tions, he never once excluded his orphan 
 friend. 
 
 Like all who defer giving proofs of their 
 affection till a period of abundant fortune, 
 Heinreich lived to find that hour never 
 arrive. Few things are to be done for the 
 good of others but at the expence of some 
 convenience, gratification, or wish of our 
 own ^ and he that with limited means, seeks 
 
 D 4
 
 ^6 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 not to evince his attachment to friends or 
 family by every little sacrifice in his power, 
 will always find the largest means too small 
 for the purpose. 
 
 Heinreich spent a sleepless night in form- 
 ing and discarding various schemes for 
 getting to Copenhagen ; and at length hav- 
 ing hit upon one of easy execution, he 
 tossed up his pillow at day-break, and went 
 to sleep. 
 
 A few days after this, he requested per- 
 mission to go down the Sogne-fiord, and 
 pass a week at the farm of Eisenbach's fa- 
 ther, near Lerdalsoer. He had been in- 
 vited by his friend Ulric, and as he was 
 shortly to return to his business at Chris- 
 tiana, a refusal would appear unkind. 
 
 Suspecting no covert intention, Dofrestom 
 gave the leave he asked. 
 
 Heinreich went. The week passed ; 
 frosty weather succeeded to tranquil and 
 cloudless days ; another week drew to a 
 close, and no tidings arrived. Catherine 
 began to feel the length of the evenings ;
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 57 
 
 Dofrestom at first was displeased, and at 
 length uneasy. 
 
 Theodore shared his apprehension, for 
 he knew the rash humour of his friend, 
 and dreaded that, in performance of a gay 
 wager^ he had ascended to some eagle's 
 nest, among dangerous rocks, and fallen a 
 victim to his temerity. Early one morning 
 he proposed going himself to the farm of 
 Eisenbach. Dofrestom looked at the threat- 
 ening sky, and hesitated. The valley lead- 
 ing to the abode of Ulricas father, lay on 
 the shore of another arm of the fiord, and 
 was many miles off; the way was perilous 
 and wearisome : yet he pined to hear of his 
 son, and he had not courage to refuse the 
 offer of Theodore. 
 
 Reading his mind in his troubled looks, 
 and touched by a heavy sigh from the wor- 
 thy Catherine, Theodore took down his 
 boat-cloak, and wrapping himself in it, bade 
 them good-bye. " We shall be with you 
 by to-morrow night, I hope,'' said he ; " at 
 any rate, fear nothing for us. You know, 
 D 6
 
 58 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 dear father, I am a careful rower, and not 
 a bad pilot." 
 
 " I know you are the best boy in the 
 world," said Dofrestom : " my poor Hein- 
 reich wants nothing but a little of your kind 
 thoughtfuiness/' 
 
 With many an injunction to take care of 
 himself, and many a benediction, he set 
 sail, accompanied by a steady servant ; and 
 although the clouds still threatened, and 
 the water muttered, the tide served, and 
 no winds but what were friendly encoun- 
 tered his little bark. 
 
 After landing, having left his associate to 
 take care of the boat, Theodore proceeded 
 to the house he sought. 
 
 What was his dismay, his disappoint- 
 ment, his anguish, to learn that Heinreich 
 had been gone from it above ten days ; that 
 he and Ulric were already across the File- 
 fialle mountain, in their way to Bergen, 
 whence they were to take ship for Chris- 
 tiana; and that whatever might be the 
 confidence reposed in their son, the parents
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 59 
 
 of Ulrlc understood that Heinreich under- 
 took this journey with the perfect approba- 
 tion of his father. 
 
 After the first words, Theodore listened 
 to their details, without knowing what he 
 heard : his thoughts were so confused, that 
 he seemed incapable of comprehending the 
 art, the duplicity, the dishonour, the unfeel- 
 ingness of Heinreich. The crush of his 
 own hopes gave additional bitterness to the 
 sighs he heaved, as he pictured the grief 
 of Dofrestom ; and mixed with both was 
 the pain of being forced, to think with less 
 esteem of one he still fondly loved. 
 
 " Did he leave no message, no letter for 
 any of us ?" 
 
 Ulric's father remembered that a letter 
 for Dofrestom had been entrusted by Hein- 
 reich to a person who was going about the 
 country with smuggled goods, and who in- 
 tended proceeding to Aardal. This sea- 
 sonable recollection, by convincing Theo- 
 dore that Heinreich had not been quite 
 unmindful of his father's feelings, in some 
 D 6
 
 6o THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 degree assuaged his own affliction ; and he 
 consented to pass the night under the hos- 
 pitable roof of his present host. But on 
 further consideration, he began to think 
 that it was his duty to return, to prepare 
 the unhappy parent for the arrival of this 
 painful letter. Should it be received dur- 
 ing his absence, he dreaded the conse- 
 quence ; to prevent such a mischance, he 
 resolved to hazard a nightly voyage, and, 
 without taking an hour's rest, proceed to 
 his now. troubled home. 
 
 With a heavy and a softened heart, as he 
 revolved the innocent days of Heinreich's 
 boyhood, did Theodore re-embark. A few 
 dim stars struggled through the thickening 
 vapours of the night ; the water rushed 
 with a hollow sound ; and low, unsteady 
 blasts whistled by fits through their single 
 sail. 
 
 " I fear we are going to have bad wea- 
 ther!" observed his companion, as their 
 boat dashed into the sullen wave. 
 
 ^' Would you wish to go back, Eric V* 
 II
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 6 1 
 
 asked Theodore. " Deal honestly with me, 
 as I do by you, when I confess that I would 
 not proceed, but for the sake of softening 
 this sad news to my father. I am aware 
 we shall run some risk of losing our 
 lives, and there is not sufficient motive for 
 you—'' 
 
 " Yes, but there is," returned Eric ; 
 * did not my good master pay the dues, 
 of my mother's funeral, and build my sister 
 the cot we live in ? Surely, it is as little as 
 I can do, to risk an upset, to save him a 
 heart-ache." 
 
 Theodore would have hesitated again, 
 had his own advantage been the end pro- 
 posed j but for his benefactor's peace, 
 he was less scrupulous ; and he was be- 
 sides at that age in which we hope all 
 things, and fear few. He let loose the 
 sail again, that he was preparing to furl, 
 and stood out from shore. 
 
 The night blackened as they proceeded ; 
 the huge granite rocks, overhanging their 
 boat, threw darker and broader shadows :
 
 62 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 winds began to howl ; and the waves run- 
 ning higher and higher, threatened to 
 engulph their tottering vessel. 
 
 Theodore was too experienced and too 
 collected, not to be aware of their danger, 
 and equal to all that might be done to ward 
 it off: he guided the helm himself, and 
 cheered his companion. They coasted the 
 foot of the cliffs, and doubling the cape 
 which terminated this branch of the Sogne- 
 fiord, entered into the main body of the 
 fiord. 
 
 The storm continued to increase ; the 
 waters lashed themselves into fury, and ran 
 mountains of foam ; their roar reverberat- 
 ing from the surrounding caverns, added to 
 the horrors of the wind. Complete dark- 
 ness covered every object. 
 
 Theodore thought of his parents' watery 
 grave, and for a moment that thought un- 
 nerved him. 
 
 " I believe we must give it up," he ob- 
 served, as he heard his companion whisper-
 
 THE RECLUSE OP NORWAY. 6^ 
 
 ing a prayer. Suppose we try for the 
 island, and stay there till day-break ? 
 
 Eric joyfully assented, and with much 
 difficulty they gained the place they sought. 
 Their boat found a safe bay ; and a com- 
 fortable koya, constructed with clay and 
 pine branches, gave shelter to themselves. 
 
 During the wintry storms, this island was 
 often the temporary abode of distressed 
 voyagers, and had been so particularly the 
 refuge of the pastor, that Theodore one 
 day proposed building some better shelter 
 than that which the caves afforded. Hein- 
 reich and two other youths had cheerfully 
 acceded to the proposition, and obtaining a 
 day's holiday during summer, they raised 
 this charitable edifice. 
 
 Dofrestom regularly supplied it with a 
 small store of dry wood, smoaked provi- 
 sions, bread, and spirits, for the refreshment 
 of such persons as might be detained there 
 several days ; and grateful for the be- 
 nevolence, no one was ever known to waste
 
 64 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 it. Enviable state of rectitude, when every 
 man is a law to himself! 
 
 Theodore now felt, for the first time, the 
 full value of his own humanity ; and as the 
 wind and rain beat upon the roof of the 
 koya, and a kindling fire began to diffuse 
 its cheering warmth through his limbs, he 
 thought of Heinreich's alacrity in assisting 
 to build it, and his heart melted with ten- 
 derness. 
 
 The storm abated befoi e day-break, after 
 which he and Eric renewed their voyage. 
 
 For some hours they had but to contend 
 with an adverse tide, and veering winds ; 
 but towards noon the storm rose again, and 
 the boat laboured against it in vain. They 
 had already entered their branch of the > 
 fiord, and were in sight of the valley : 
 voices were heard, and figures were seen 
 upon its shore. Theodore fancied that he 
 could distinguish that of Dofrestom. 
 
 With a heart throbbing far more for that 
 dear benefactor than for its own safety, be 
 continued to exert a-U his skill and courage.
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 65 
 
 The boat drew nearer ; through the bois- 
 terous wind, louder and shriller voices were 
 heard. At that moment a sudden blast 
 came rushing from the mountains down the 
 valley, and sweeping onward with velocity, 
 drove back the boat upon a jutting rock. 
 The solitary mast fell with a horrid crash 
 across her side, and her loosened planks 
 were soon seen floating singly upon thevater. 
 
 Theodore and Eric had thrown them- 
 selves into the fiord, and were struggling 
 with the waves, when a stouter boat put oii' 
 from shore. With his usual presence oi 
 mind, Theodore called out to Eric to hold 
 by one of the floating timbers : by this ser - 
 sonable advice, he was enabled to keep on 
 the surface of the water, till ihe boat rowed 
 up to them, and took him in. Scarcely- 
 conscious how he had got there, Theodore 
 found himself in the same boat, and held to 
 the breast of Dofrestom. 
 
 " But Heinreich ! O God, where is 
 he ?*' exclaimed Dofrestom. 
 
 " Safe, dearest father, but not with usv"
 
 66 THE RECLUSE OF NORTVAY. 
 
 Dofrestom understood from this, that his 
 truant son still lingered with Ulric Eisen- 
 bach ; and anxious for Theodore's comfort, 
 asked no other question till he beheld him 
 warmed and refreshed by his own fire. 
 
 As Catherine was bustling to get him 
 change of raiment, and the good Dofrestom 
 was busying himself in the same kind office 
 for Eric, Theodore had time to observe 
 how favourable was the present opportunity 
 for the tale he had to tell. The storm, by 
 which he was spared, might have destroyed 
 Heinreich, had he been found at Ulricas, 
 and returned with them home : besides, 
 to have an afflictive act of Providence, so 
 immediately followed by a merciful one, 
 demanded gratitude for the blessing, and 
 resignation to the calamity. 
 
 All this poor Theodore meant to urge 
 with tender caution ; but his feelings re- 
 fused to obey his judgment. Softened by 
 a variety of thronging thoughts, he burst 
 into tears, without speaking, when Dofres- 
 tom renewed his question about the return
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NOirvVAY. 6/ 
 
 of Helareich, A scene of alarm, enquiry, 
 explanation, and anguish followed. Cathe- 
 rine wept ; and her brother prophecied the 
 ruin of his deceitful son. 
 
 Theodore comforted the one, and soothed 
 the other j he drev/ the attention of both to 
 his own preservation, and eloquent in good- 
 ness, suggested palliatives for Heinreich's 
 error, and expectations from his character, 
 which he rather wished were true, than 
 dared believe so. 
 
 By degrees he pacified not only the anger 
 but the grief of his auditors ; and at last he 
 beguiled them into the confession, that it 
 was natural for such talents as Heinreich's 
 to long for a theatre of action ; and that, 
 consequently, they ought not to judge him 
 with severity. 
 
 Thoughtlessness was the plea he urged 
 in his friend's behalf; and with the magic 
 of that word, Theodore quieted the aching 
 hearts of the father and the aunt. The 
 time was yet to come, in which he would 
 cease to consider that word as any other
 
 68 THE KECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 than a term for hard, unfeeling selfishness ; 
 and never, never advance it' in extenuation 
 of guilt. 
 
 The remaining hours of the day, and the 
 greatest part of the night, were all employed 
 in discoursing upon the same subject. Do- 
 frestom listened to the advice of a youth of 
 sixteen with the attention and docility he 
 would have yielded only to the conviction 
 of superior judgment and impartiality in 
 one of thrice that age. 
 
 Acquiescing nearly always in what he 
 suggested, he now and then repeated, 
 " Well, well! you remain with me — 
 you won't forsake me!'' 
 
 In the few moments following the first 
 utterance of this exclamation, the young 
 Theodore made a harder conquest than ever 
 graced the triumphs of a Csesar : he sub- 
 dued his own paramount desire y he nearly 
 conquered regret. 
 
 Turning his eyes towards Dofrestom's 
 venerable face, he fixed them there, till 
 their glowing expression melted into tears ;
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 69 
 
 then hiding them on the old man's tremb- 
 ling hand, as he pressed his lips on it, he 
 said in a low yet firm voice, " Nothing 
 but your command shall make me desert 
 ybu." 
 
 It is not often that he who accepts a sa- 
 crifice, is worthy of it ; but Dofrestom 
 really was ; for he knew not how many 
 cherished hopes his adopted son was now 
 relinquishing. He wept with sorrow and 
 with joy ; and calling down unnumbered 
 blessings on the head of this more than 
 son, retired to the solitude and reflection of 
 his chamber. 
 
 Had Dofrestom been living in the worlds 
 he might have tried to hide his grief, and 
 its cause, by " making'^ what that world 
 calls " the best of it," and passing off the 
 rebellious act of his son as obedience to 
 his own command ; but he lived where 
 sympathy and sincerity were yet of irre- 
 pressible growth ; and secure of the one^ 
 he had no reason to stifle the overflowings 
 of the other.
 
 yo THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 His venerable character demanded re- 
 spect ; his distress solicited compassion : 
 his neighbours came to mourn with him, 
 and their kindness was itself consolation. 
 
 Meanwhile the long-delayed letter of ex- 
 planation and apology was brought by the 
 smuggler to the Stone Cottage. It began 
 with a complete avowal of shame and con- 
 sciousness of error, which disarmed even 
 justice : it then proceeded in so florid a 
 description of expected honours, and pre- 
 determined good conduct, that Catherine 
 burst out into admiration and approbation ; 
 and Dofrestom, with a sigh, reluctantly 
 acknowledged that it might, after all, turn 
 out for the best. 
 
 Every one that heard this long letter 
 had a kind or an encouraging word to say 
 to the poor, doubting father. Professor 
 Sergendal alone, muttered Pshaw ! after 
 its most animated passages. 
 
 Dofrestom eagerly pressed him to utter 
 an opinion ; Theodore in alarm endea- 
 voured to arrest the answer, but it came, and 
 
 4
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 71 
 
 came with the pitiless force of a surgeon 
 who lops a limb to save a life. " My 
 opinion. Sir, if I am to tell you fairly, is 
 this : the young fellow that could write 
 such a letter as that, yet act as your son has 
 done, is one who sins wilfully, therefore 
 unpardonably. I tell you. Sir, you must 
 prepare yourself for his iruin ; and he that 
 palliates and persuades you otherwise, will 
 hereafter have your despair, and perhaps 
 your phrensy to answer for." 
 
 So awful a sentence, pronounced with 
 ruthless solemnity, struck Dofrestom as if 
 it had been the fiat of Fate ; but recovering 
 at the voice of Theodore, a voice tender as 
 that of ministering angels, he felt the tide 
 of paternal partiality rush anew into his 
 heart ; and warmly taking up the defence 
 of his thoughtless son, he concluded by at 
 least convincing himself, if not his opponent, 
 that Heinreich's transgression merited for- 
 giveness. 
 
 Benevolently seizing this lucky turn in 
 the feelings of Dofrestom, Theodore soon
 
 7 2 THE RECLUSiE OF NORWAY. 
 
 after employed it. In persuading him, that 
 unless he determined upon peremptorily 
 recalling Heinreich, it was most prudent in 
 him to think of forwarding the youth's 
 wishes ; left to himself, he might enter into 
 intimacy and engagement with some worth- 
 less person of talent, or ignorantly attach 
 himself to one without real celebrity and 
 influence. 
 
 In consequence of this advice, Dofrestom 
 thought of his only acquaintance in Copen- 
 hagen, the head of a commercial house, 
 with whom he had dealings. 
 
 The yearly profits of his saw-mill were 
 always left in their hands at a very moderate 
 rate of interest; he might therefore calculate 
 upon some friendship from them. He 
 now wrote to one of the partners, request- 
 ing him to find'out his I'unaway, assist him 
 discreetly with money, and see what could 
 be done for him with safety and honour. 
 
 He implored this gentleman's kmd ob- 
 servation of his son's associates ; beseech- 
 ing hi;u to put him on his guard against
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 73 
 
 any connection that might afterwards injure 
 his morals. 
 
 Composure, but not real peace of mind, 
 thus restored to this excellent man, Theo- 
 dore endeavoured to fill the chasm which 
 Heinreich had left. For this purpose he 
 devoted the whole of his evenings to Cathe- 
 rine and her brother : in summer he walk- 
 ed with them, amusing both, by gathering 
 and botanizing the countless wild-flowers 
 that covered the mountains, and perfumed 
 the hollows. In winter he sat while Cathe- 
 rine spun and Dofrestom smoked, either 
 reading to them, by the bright light of the 
 stars and the moon, the Norwegian Bible; or 
 translating, as he went, interesting anec- 
 dotes from books in other languages. 
 
 The good couple did not indeed laugh 
 so often during those evenings, as when 
 Heinreich's comic talents were exercised 
 for their amusement, but a more " sacred 
 and home-felt delight*' continually warm- 
 ed their hearts. They saw that Theodore 
 thought only of their happiness, while 
 
 yoL. I. s
 
 74 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 sacrificing his own pleasures; and admiration 
 thus mingling with gratitude, made him 
 dearer every hour. 
 
 Professor Sergendal meanwhile deepened 
 into portentous gloom ; his mutrering 
 thunder of discontent gave warning of 
 the angry flash that was to follow : he 
 began to repeat the words, — '• Ungrate- 
 ful ! like all the rest of mankind V And 
 though repeatedly obliged to own the jus- 
 tice of Theodore's arguments when his 
 reproaches called on him for defence, he 
 never failed re-judging the cause when 
 alone, and deciding that if either were to 
 be sacrificed, Dofrestom, and not he^ 
 should be the victim. 
 
 In reality, Theodore's principal sacrifice 
 was himself; for, by giving up so much 
 of his little leisure to what he deemed a 
 duty, he abridged his time for study, and 
 made a progress very inadequate to his 
 wishes in every favourite pursuit. 
 
 Frequently he expressed this regret, when 
 the professor reproached him with growing
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. ^ 75 
 
 idleness, or caprice of affection ; yet never 
 did he obtain credit for the truth he uttered. 
 Sergendal was too much in the custom of 
 indulging himself, to believe another per- 
 son capable of the heroism required for an 
 opposite habit ; and Theodore's regrets, 
 therefore, sunk into the same oblivious 
 contempt with his avowals of obligation. 
 " Sweet indeed are the uses of adversity !" 
 — Theodore's early sufferings from this 
 injustice of the Professor, led him to the 
 discovery that justice is the corner-stone of 
 the social edifice : he became, therefore, so 
 scrupulously just, that nothing shocked 
 and surprized him so much, as the want of 
 that habit in persons dear to him. Alas ! 
 in future years, how often did he find that, 
 of all the virtues, justice is the rarest ! 
 
 E 2
 
 ( 76 ) 
 
 CHAPTER IIL 
 
 'T^HE first joyful moment at Aardal was 
 occasioned by a packet from Copen- 
 hagen. It was brought by a young peasant 
 who had just finished his service in the 
 militia, and contained letters from Hein- 
 reich and the merchant who was to be his 
 friend. 
 
 Through the agency of the latter, Hein- 
 reich had sung and played before Signer 
 Perregino, the new manager of the royal 
 concerts ; thut gentleman had expressed 
 himself astonished at the wonderful voice 
 and naturally good style of Heinreich, and 
 proposed taking him as a pupil, provided a 
 proper sum of money were paid down at 
 first. The sum was great ; but Heinreich 
 wrote in raptures of the admiration his 
 genius had excited in the court, assuring
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 77 
 
 his father that he had no doubt of eventu- 
 ally repaying him ; and Dofrestom, after 
 many a sad foreboding, replied by enclos- 
 ing an order for the money. 
 
 This premium swallowed up mostly all 
 the savings of twelve years : Dofrestom had 
 originally intended to divide these savings, 
 at his death, equally between the two boys; 
 but Heinreich now required it all ; and his 
 father, in resigning it, plainly stated his 
 determination of making up the deficiency 
 to Theodore, by bequeathing to him the 
 Stone Cottage, with its pasture, and a share 
 at least in the property of the saw-mill, in 
 case he, Dofrestom, should die before the 
 professor. 
 
 He was too truly generous to communi- 
 cate this part of his letter to Theodore, 
 v/ho, pleased with the pious advice and 
 kind forgiveness it contained, wished not 
 to see more. 
 
 Heinreich was ultimately fixed with 
 Signor Perregino ; and Theodore, faithfully 
 endeavouring to enliven the declining age
 
 7^ THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 of Professor Sergendal, as well as of 
 Dofrestom, continued to advance in years 
 and in moral value. 
 
 The third year after Helnreich's depar- 
 ture, Theodore's self-command was put to 
 a severe proof. The professor, feeling him- 
 self decline, meditated a journey to Copen- 
 hagen for the purpose of superintending the 
 publication of his last work. 
 
 This darling work, which was indeed a 
 treasure of scientific knowledge, had been the 
 labour of so large a portion of his life, that 
 every thing else seemed dust in the balance. 
 To bring it out with the utmost perfec- 
 tion of accuracy, was the grand desideratum 
 of his journey ; and as this was the very 
 MS. that Theodore had so often transcribed 
 from variously altered originals, his assist- 
 ance in correcting the press was nearly 
 indispensable. 
 
 Believing it impossible for such a youth 
 to refuse the offer of visiting the capital, 
 he one day abruptly bade him prepare for 
 the journey.
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 79 
 
 Theodore paused — hesitated ; a glow 
 of pleasure flushed his expressive counte- 
 nance, and as quickly faded. " O, what 
 would I give to see Copenhagen !" he 
 exclaimed ; " but I fear I dare not 
 wish it." 
 
 The professor demanded an explanation, 
 and heard with amazement that his pupil 
 had pledged himself to Dofrestom to re- 
 main with him whilst he lived. SergendaPs 
 brow blackened at first, but juster feelings 
 chased away the gloom ; for now the sacri- 
 fice was too evident to be doubted : he 
 undertook to win a willing assent from his 
 neighbour, or no longer to urge Theodore 
 on the tempting subject. 
 
 Sergendal now hastened to seek thi§ 
 eventful consent, stipulating either to return 
 himself at the end of eight months, or to 
 restore his young companion, under the 
 protection of some discreet traveller. 
 
 Dofrestom had not one selfish feeling ; 
 and though he might have hesitated to part 
 irom this last prop of domestic comfort for 
 K 4
 
 8o THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 as many years, he tried to think the separa- 
 tion of eight months would be easily borne : 
 in addition to this, he depended upon 
 Theodore for a sincere account of Hein- 
 reich's conduct and prospects. The repre- 
 sentations of both, which had hitherto 
 arrived, had neither of them appeared 
 exactly what the fond hearts in the valley 
 would have anticipated. Mr. Thonkild 
 complained of inattention to his occasional 
 advice ; and Heinreich's frequent petitions 
 for money (though now receiving the pro- 
 fits of his own talents, hitherto shared with 
 Signer Perregino,) alarmed, and seriously 
 distressed his father. 
 
 Anxious to be rightly informed on these 
 important topics, Dofrestom not only as- 
 sured Theodore that he should have his free 
 consent to this journey, but that he looked 
 on the proposal as a special interposition of 
 Providence in favour of his thoughtless son. 
 
 Relieved by this miraculous facility ol: 
 permission, the delighted Theodore hastened 
 to make his few preparations, and to pour
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORVAYV 8 1 
 
 out to the professor all the joy and gratitude 
 he had before feared to give way to. 
 
 The expectation of seeing Heinreich again 
 gladdened his heart ; but his highest mental 
 anticipation consisted in the society of a 
 capital, which was at that time considered 
 the seat of northern literature. In com- 
 plete good-humour with every thing and 
 every body, the professor distributed some 
 trifling keepsakes amongst his neighbours ; 
 and assuring Dofrestom that he now charged 
 himself with all his pupil's expences, with 
 some melancholy emotion took leave of the 
 valley in which he had spent nine tranquil 
 years. The sublime country through 
 which they travelled, was a continued 
 source of admiration to Theodore. Autumn, 
 in all countries a season of remarkable 
 beauty, is as beautiful as brief in Norway. 
 The woods exhibit every shade of change ; 
 passing from the soft tint of the olive, 
 through the sober brown, to the glowing 
 orange and the bright vermillion. The 
 dales are covered with wild-berry bushes and 
 E 5
 
 82 1*HE IIECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 underwood, whose profusion of scarlet 
 fruitage, forms at a distance rich dashes of 
 colour in the landscape ; while above these 
 luxuriant scenes tower the mountains, 
 whose broad summits either gleam with 
 snow, or with the waters of lakes. 
 
 Sometimes Theodore's imagination peo- 
 pled these mountains and forests wuth the 
 deeds and the heroes of other days : at other 
 times he gazed, awe-struck, on the solitary 
 magnificence of nature, and felt his own 
 presence amid her awful shades, an impious 
 intrusion. 
 
 The difficulties of their route, over track- 
 less precipices, amid thundering cataracts, 
 fiords, lakes, and woods, were to him but 
 so many new gratifications ; while Sergen- 
 dal, on the contrary, suffered peevishness 
 to conquer his natural capacity of enjoy- 
 ment, and talked of nothing but the danger 
 and the inconvenience and the hardships 
 that assailed him. 
 
 He was a geologist ; and although he had 
 chosen to make this journey by land, solely
 
 fHE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 83 
 
 for the purpose of deciding an important 
 question regarding the direction of strata 
 in that range of mountains called the Far- 
 dangerfialle, he was unmanly enough to* 
 complain of the trouble it cost him. 
 
 Theodore knew sufficient of geology to 
 take much fatigue solely upon himself; and 
 exploring the mountainous chain in every 
 direction, many of his valuable observations 
 afterwards graced the professor's Natural 
 History of Norway. 
 
 Having reached Christiana, they crossed 
 directly to Zealand, and safely anchored in 
 the bay of Copenhagen. To a young man 
 of nineteen, the first visit to a capital is 
 always a memorable event. Theodore was 
 formed to discover and to appreciate every 
 advantage of such a residence : he brought 
 to its society a mind already nobly cultivated, 
 and a natural refinement of taste which 
 waited only for development. 
 
 But at first every thing fell short of his 
 expectation. The public buildings wanted 
 the magnificence his fancy was familiar with, 
 E 6
 
 84 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 in the descriptions of Athens and of R.ome : 
 the state-ceremonies seemed flat and dimi- 
 nutive ; the dress and manners of the great- 
 est personages failed in dignity and distinc- 
 tion. Time, however, taught him to look 
 deeper ; and reflection discovering the ad- 
 mirable interior of public institutions, the 
 utility of certain modest forms, and the 
 real greatness of political men, gave more 
 than imagination had at first bestowed and 
 then withdrawn. 
 
 By long retirement, and the increasing 
 reputation of former works. Professor Ser- 
 gendal brought v/ith him to Copenhagen the 
 attraction of novelty. Many of his former 
 competitors were removed to other scenes ; 
 and though a few literary rivals still main- 
 tained their old warfare, a host of young 
 students rallied round their philosophical 
 chief, fought his battles with enthusiasm, 
 and repeated his decisions as oracles. 
 
 At his levees, Theodore saw nearly all the 
 scientific persons whom choice brought to 
 Denmark. Their conversation was an
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORVrAV. B^ 
 
 eternal exercise of his noblest faculties. Iii 
 the discussion of important subjects, whether 
 moral or intellectual, he attended closely to 
 all that was said ; and, far removed from that 
 childish, indiscriminate love of talent, which 
 admires every thing that is spoken because 
 it is said v/ell, he weighed every person's 
 arguments, and acquired by that means the 
 habit of strict investigation. 
 
 The forwardness of several men as young 
 as himself, led them to hazard many crude 
 speculations which he might have formed, 
 but would always have had too much dis- 
 cretion to utter. Men of riper judgment 
 analyzed these chimeras, proved their ab- 
 surdity, or their latent mischief, and thus 
 gave him lessons in the persons of others. 
 
 His judgment, his principles, his taste, 
 thus forming together, he wanted only that 
 most precious part of human knowledge, — 
 knovv^ledge of the world ; but this he could 
 not learn in the scientific circle at his pre- 
 ceptor's. Amongst ,a set so diiTerent, that 
 he might well mistake them for creatures of
 
 S6 THE llECLUSE 01^ NORWAY. 
 
 another species, Theodore received his 
 earliest lessons in what may be called the 
 science of life : they were the associates of 
 Heinreich. 
 
 Immediately after reaching Copenhagen, 
 Theodore had hastened to Mr.Thonkild's 
 for information of his friend. Cold and 
 formal in his address, Mr. Thonkild gave no 
 pleasing impression of his own character, 
 while he briefly recapitulated various follies 
 and excesses of Heinreich's. This gentleman 
 was evidently a man of integrity ; yet there 
 was in his discourse a repelling indifference 
 to the moral welfare of others. After listen- 
 ing to an anecdote of more than usual 
 faultiness, Theodore asked, — " And pray. 
 Sir, had you not the goodness to see Hein- 
 reich upon this, and repeat to him the shame 
 he is preparing for himself, the anguish for 
 his respectable father ?'* 
 
 " Why, indeed, Sir," replied the mer- 
 cantile statue, " I had spoken to him so 
 often in vain, about little levities of no con- 
 sequence in con^arison, that I found it best
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. Sy 
 
 to take no farther trouble." He paused ; 
 and Theodore, without answering, made 
 the comment to himself — " Here^ perhaps, 
 was the reason of Heinreich's inattention to 
 advice upon iaiportant subjects ; Mr. Thon- 
 kild had schooled him too often in trifles.'* 
 That gentleman resumed : — 
 
 " Pardon me for saying, Sir, that I must 
 be allowed to dismiss this young man from 
 my thoughts. If I could have served our 
 worthy correspondent, I should have been 
 glad ; but I cannot. His son is quite good- 
 for-nothing. Excuse me further ; I have 
 persons waiting for me. I wish you good 
 morning." 
 
 Perplexed between the hope that Mr. 
 Thonkild's apathy might have enlarged 
 eccentricities into crimes, and the fear that 
 Heinreich's disposition inclined him to dissi- 
 pation, Theodore pensively took the way 
 to his lodgings. 
 
 He found his friend just preparing to join 
 a convivial meeting at an hotel, where every 
 gay adventurer of the city was to be met
 
 88 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 in company with a few young nobles, whoin 
 an inordinate passion for coarse pleasures 
 brought to a temporary level with the rest. 
 
 The gloss of Heinreich^s shewy person 
 was rather tarnished by three years' residence 
 in the capital ; but an air of elegance sup- 
 plied the deficiency, and the transport with 
 which he em.braced the companion of his 
 childhood, gave' more than their former 
 lustre to his eyes. 
 
 Theodore pressed him to his full, his 
 uncorrupted heart with a gush of tender- 
 ness ; for at that moment an hitherto un- 
 detected likeness to Dofrestom appeared in 
 the fleeting expression of his son's face. 
 *^ I cannot believe you are changed !'* he 
 exclaimed; " I am sure you are -still my 
 good, my dear Heinreich !*' 
 
 " Good !" repeated Heinreich, covering 
 his confusion with a laugh ; " not much of 
 that I fear, my dear boy ; saints at Aardal 
 will turn sinners at Copenhagen, I suspect ; 
 so look to yourself, Theodore : but after 
 all, I am as good as my neighbours ; and, 
 5
 
 THE RECLUSE OV NORWAY. 89 
 
 between ourselves, twenty limes better than 
 some precise personages who take upon 
 them to lecture me.** 
 
 Theodore did not go there to lecture ; 
 so turning the subject upon the respected 
 friends they had left at Aardal, he sought 
 to revive the recollection of truer hearts 
 and more innocent pleasures, than those by 
 which Heinreich was now surrounded. 
 
 Theodore was pleased to observe the 
 readiness with which Heinreich relinquished 
 the party he was going to ; and, willing to 
 see his character in the most favourable light, 
 he would not allow his boastful conversation 
 lo awaken any suspicion that in this readi- 
 ness there was more eagerness to display 
 newly-acquired consequence, than interest 
 in the society of his friend. 
 
 Heinreich's spirits were at the most ex- 
 travagant pitch : he was already engaged as 
 first singer at the royal concerts, and had 
 lately received an overture from the French 
 envoy to return in his suite to France. Lifted, 
 for a moment, by the un5teady wave of po-
 
 90 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY* 
 
 pular admiration, to a level with peers and 
 princes, this intoxicated young man believed 
 that wave was never to sink. His vanity 
 made him forget that it is only superior 
 virtue which ennobles the low-born, either 
 in the eyes of wisdom or of folly ; that ta- 
 lents, without that distinction, may pro-. 
 cure for their possessors flattery and tran- 
 sient luxury, but never can buy respect. 
 
 He had learned the coquetry of with- 
 holding pleasure, that it might be more 
 passionately solicited ; but he httle dreamt 
 that while his singing, his playing, and his 
 mimickry were won from him by the mixed 
 prayers and praises of beauty and of rank, 
 he was in reality the object of their con- 
 tempt and the sport of their ridicule. 
 
 Their own flatteries, and his credulity, 
 insolence, or airs of condescension, enter- 
 tained them nearly as much as the talents 
 he displayed : they considered him as an 
 instrument for their amusement, while he 
 believed himself an associate in their plea- 
 sures.
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 9 1 
 
 Theodore's unprejudiced good sense 
 failed not to draw the right conclusion 
 from Heinreich's inflated descriptions of his 
 high acquaintance : still he spoke not ; for 
 this was his hour of observation : advice, to 
 be useful, must not be given hastily. 
 
 Kindling with its own rapidity, Hein- 
 reich's vanity began with distressing Theo- 
 dore, and finished by shocking him. The 
 inconsiderate young man forgot how gra- 
 dual had been the steps by which even his 
 unfixed character had reached that point, 
 in which the admiration of the profligate is 
 thought as great a distinction as that of the 
 estimable ; and amongst the various con- 
 quests over female hearts which his person 
 and voice had achieved, he dwelt with pe- 
 culiar enthusiasm upon that of a fair dancer 
 at the theatre. 
 
 The lady in question had the credit of 
 being supported in the splendor of her esta- 
 blishment, by one of the two Count Gul- 
 derlieus (illegitimate sons of the late King), 
 and the notoriety of her passion for Hein-
 
 92 THE RECLUSE OF XOIIWAY. 
 
 reich Dofrestom was eo likely to precipi- 
 tate her from that lofty station, that he 
 believed himself bound to decree to this 
 worthless passion all the honours due to a 
 virtuous sentiment. 
 
 Theodore's serious attentiveness gave way 
 to the most animated indignation. '• Pro- 
 fane not the name of love, Heinreich,*' he 
 exclaimed, " by applying it to any feeling 
 of such a woman; it is impossible you can 
 look on her but as a detestable and dis- 
 honest wretch : detestable, first for selling 
 herself; and dishonest afterwards, for giv- 
 ing any. share of her shameful self, either 
 her thoughts or her person, to you. I can 
 pity, I can pardon, I can love you through 
 every involuntary transgression, through 
 every delusion of your fancy ; but if I am 
 to find your heart corrupted, and your very 
 judgnient the pander of your passions, I 
 cleave to you, I love you, no longer." 
 
 The unusual vehemence of Theodore, 
 the severe expression of his countenance, 
 awed Heinreich into a real emotion of
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 93 
 
 shame. He began to explain, to apologise, 
 to recant ; he had a pathetic story to tell of 
 Slephania's first seduction; of all she had 
 suffered since ; of the temptations Count 
 Gulderlieu held out to her; of her yielding 
 at last, chiefly for the sake of advancing the 
 fortunes of her indigent family. 
 
 Theodore could not be imposed on : it 
 was possible that the girl was good-natured, 
 therefore wished her family comfortable ; 
 and that she preferred her own temporary 
 gratification to future interest. While she 
 liked Heinreich, she could heroically make 
 the sacrifice of Count Gulderlieu's wealth ; 
 and when tired of the former, she would as 
 cartlcssly sacrifice his attachment to some 
 otlier caprice. 
 
 Seriously impressed with his friend's 
 danger, Theodore tried to regain hi? own 
 self-command, before he ventured to probe 
 the heart of Heinreich. It was not often 
 that he was thus hurried out of himself; 
 for in general his gentle nature had such an 
 amiable distrust of appearances, that con-
 
 94 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 victlon came too gradually for indignation 
 to follow it. But the surprize, the horror 
 he felt at the unequivocal words of his per- 
 verted friend, did not allow him to hesitate 
 at present. ' 
 
 It is true, Theodore was so little ac- 
 quainted with the world, that he foresaw 
 not all the disastrous consequences which 
 never fail attending such disgraceful con- 
 nections ; therefore he had no prudent ar- 
 guments to offer ; he was roused to honor- 
 able indignation by a sincere love of virtue, 
 and by horror at the profiigate want of 
 shame, implied by Heinreich's triumph in 
 the publicity of his rivalry with Count Gul- 
 derlieu. 
 
 The evening that had begun so cordially 
 and so gaily, ended in gloom. Theodore 
 urged every argument that was likely to 
 revive the early sentiments of religion and 
 morality in the soul of Heinreich ; while 
 Heinreich, confounded but not repentant, 
 and less sincere than ever, affected to be so 
 seriously moved by his friend's discourse, 
 4
 
 TFIE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 95 
 
 that he sent him away conciliated and con- 
 soled. 
 
 Brief was this deceitful calm : each fresh 
 report of Heinreich's conduct and extrava- 
 gance, each interview with him, assisted in 
 v/ithdrawing the veil which affection had 
 placed between its object and ruin. 
 
 Theodore saw that, trusting solely to 
 his genius, Heinreich devoted but a very 
 small portion of his time to the perfection 
 of his art ; that he never sung or played 
 but in the midst of a circle, and consumed 
 his youth, in short, in a life of idle dissipa- 
 tion. The idol of one company, and the 
 buffoon of another, he mixed with various 
 classes of worthless society ; and ambitious 
 of being received there on a footing of 
 equality, shared in expences for which he 
 was obliged to humble himself to his real 
 friends. The profits of his profession were, 
 indeed, inadequate to such extravagance, 
 he was therefore greatly in debt. 
 
 Theodore somedmes took advantage of 
 Heinreich's necessities, to urge his relin-
 
 95 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 quishment of a pursuit which brougfit so 
 doubtful an emolument ; the little he had 
 to give was taken from the moderate allovr- 
 ance now given him by Professor Sergendal, 
 and he once ventured to say, as he tendered 
 it, '' If I indulged myself in such expensive 
 habits, my dear Heinreich, where would I 
 find means to enjoy this real pleasure of 
 obliging you ?" 
 
 " And if I were not a thoughtless crea- 
 ture, unable to consider that sordid thing 
 called money, where would your kindness 
 find exercise ?" This was the reply of 
 Heinreich : its levity revolted Theodore ; 
 and had it been addressed to another, he 
 would have remarked the ungrateful slight 
 which it threw upon generous prudence ; 
 but he buried a sigh in a smile, and ter- 
 minated the conversation. 
 
 Theodore was aware of Professor Ser- 
 gendal's ruthless severity to offenders ; yet 
 fearful of trusting solely to his own judg- 
 ment, he consulted him upon the measures
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 V 
 
 he ought to take with respect to Hein- 
 reich. 
 
 The professor vehemently agreed with 
 him in believing it his duty not to mask any 
 thing, but sincerely to show Dofrestom the 
 situation of his son. He added, '^ Dofrestom 
 will do wisely to order the young fellow 
 home, and tame his spirit by a life of hard 
 labour." 
 
 Theodore did not assent to the whole of 
 this opinion, though he saw the necessity of 
 ■sincerity; and flattered himself that if Do- 
 frestom could prevail on his son to re-visit 
 home, his paternal eloquence would event- 
 ually induce him to abandon, if not his mu- 
 sical profession, his expensive habits. He 
 wrote, therefore, a faithful, yet indulgent, 
 description of the ruin that threatened 
 Heinreich ; and having told his thoughtless 
 friend that he had done so, endeavoured, 
 by a mixture of firmness and compliance, 
 to bend him to better things. 
 
 Alas I the only proof obtained by Theo- 
 dore of his ascendancy over Heinreich, wa& 
 
 VOL. I, F
 
 98 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 the degrading one of duplicity : the mis- 
 guided young man had no longer the bold- 
 ness to avow either his expences, or his in- 
 tercourse with Stephania; and the falsehoods 
 to which he had recourse, being often dis- 
 covered unexpectedly by Theodore, gave 
 the last blow to that affectionate friend's 
 esteem. 
 
 At the beginning of the last century posts 
 were scarcely established throughout Nor- 
 way : letters made their appearance, rather 
 oftener than comets it is true, but vulgar cal- 
 culation was as much baffled by the one as 
 the other; consequently many destructive 
 steps were taken by Heinreich, long ere his 
 father's command arrived to order him 
 home. 
 
 Meanwhile Theodore had much to suffer 
 from the morose humour of his preceptor. 
 Nov/ irritated by printers, now by critics ; 
 sometimes by the neglect of one person, or 
 the senseless homage of another, Sergendal 
 found reasons to justify ill-temper even in 
 the midst of gratified self-love. One leaf
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 99 
 
 ruffled on his bed of roses, was at any time 
 enough to chafe him into fury ; and from 
 being displeased with Theodore for attempt- 
 ing to explain and to soothe, when he re- 
 solved to continue outrageous, he grew 
 into an envious feeling of the consideration 
 he enjoyed amongst literary men. 
 
 The glow of triumphant satisfaction with 
 which Sergendal had begun his residence at 
 Copenhagen, soon changed into gloom. 
 Theodore perpetually sacrificed the gratifi- 
 cation of laudable curiosity to the grateful 
 desire of pleasing his instructor ; neverthe- 
 less he found, that he who gives up to a 
 violent temper, must do it without the hope 
 of obtaining peace ; must do it solely from 
 the Christian determination of suffering pa- 
 tiently. 
 
 " For what glory is it, if when ye be 
 buffetted for your faults, ye shall take it pa- 
 tiently ? But if when you do well, and 
 suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is ac- 
 ceptable with God." These sacred words 
 
 F 2
 
 100 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 were not often upon his lips, but they were 
 always in his heart. 
 
 His temper tried by the professor's in- 
 firmity, and his heart tortured by the 
 worthless career of Heinreich, he began to 
 look with eagerness towards the period 
 destined for his return to Norway. Six 
 weeks only had yet to pass, and he would 
 return — return to share the sorrow, perhaps 
 difficulties, of the venerable couple who had 
 been to him as parents — return to fix for 
 life in peaceful obscurity, while possibly he 
 had relations then acting distinguished parrs 
 on the stage of public life, who would 
 gladly own him. That thought still tugged 
 at his heart, and made him feel how much 
 it cost to be resigned to this decree of Pro- 
 vidence. 
 
 He was sitting buried in a reverie on this 
 subject in a corner of the professor's room 
 one morning, when, amongst the ebb and 
 flow of the visiting tide that generally filled 
 it, he saw two gentlemen belonging to the 
 Queen's household ; somebody asked what
 
 THE RECLUSE QF NORWAY. I CI 
 
 was the news in their gay world ; the an- 
 swer, carelessly given, transfixed Theodore, 
 •^^ A ridiculous adventure enough ; — the 
 high admiral has lost his cherc amie after 
 all. Stephania Richeman has gone off with 
 the singer Dofrestom." 
 
 Theodore started from his seat, uncon- 
 scious of the action, and some agitated 
 words escaped his lips : but recovering pre- 
 sence of mind, he requested the professor's 
 leave to absent himself for a short time, and 
 obtaining it, he hastened to learn the truth 
 or falsehood of this report. 
 
 On reaching Heinreich's lodging, he re- 
 ceived painful confirmation of the fact, from 
 the man who served him as valet. This 
 person made no secret of his master's de- 
 parture with Stephania : he told Theodore 
 that they were gone to Dresden, where 
 M'amselle Richeman had many patrons; 
 that being wearied out by the solicitations 
 of her family to break off her intimacy with 
 a man of whom her protector was jealous, 
 and tired of that protector himself, she had 
 
 ^ 3
 
 102 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 proposed this spirited step to her lover, and 
 he had immediately consented. " They are 
 now, Sir,*' added the careless speaker,. 
 *' half way to Dresden perhaps ; and I am 
 to follow my master as soon as I have set- 
 tled some little affair of my own." 
 
 " You will oblige me by leaving me 
 alone,'* said Theodore : " I see pen and 
 ink in the room, and I wish to write a 
 letter. I wish to think a few moments." 
 
 The man familiarly hummed himself out 
 of the room, and as he closed the door, 
 Theodore rose and locked it. Secure from 
 ihe witness of any weakness he might give 
 way to in the contemplation of the past and 
 the present, Theodore buried his face in 
 his hands, and resting it on the table, was 
 soon entirely lost in a crowd of wretched 
 thoughts. After a long and agitated re- 
 yerie, his . confusion of ideas gradually 
 cleared; he began to recover from the 
 shocking surprize into which this worthless 
 act had thrown him, and to confess that 
 from their earliest years, even in the bosom
 
 THE RFXLUSE OF NORWAY. I03 
 
 of goodness, Helnreich had given no pro- 
 mise of better things. Memory could not 
 recall one childish sacrifice, one spon- 
 taneous act of generous feeling : naturally- 
 gay and good-humoured, and the idol of 
 the neighbourhood, he could never be 
 otherwise than amiable ; nothing criminal 
 in the valley tempted his wishes, and called 
 on his friends to oppose them ; and Theo- 
 dore, by making it his principle of action 
 always to give up his own inclination when 
 it clashed with that of another, innocently 
 fostered the selfishness of his play-fellow. 
 
 It is painful, it is agonizing to find the 
 character we love, fallen from excellence 
 to guilt ; but how far beyond all the bitter- 
 ness of such grief, is the discovery that 
 what we have loved, has never deserved 
 our affection ! 
 
 The soul that was originally pure, may 
 wash off its stains ; but a nature which con- 
 tained the germ of every vice, and wanted 
 only circumstances to develope them, has 
 no soil in which a virtue can take root. 
 
 F 4
 
 104 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 The repeated proofs of Heinreich's dis- 
 soluteness and insensibility, which Theo- 
 dore had been hourly witnessing for six 
 months, gradually " severed string after 
 string ;" and now the last cord that tied 
 the ingrate to his friend's estimable heart, 
 gave way, and loosed him from it for 
 ever. 
 
 Yet closer did the affection of Theodore 
 cleave to the venerable image of Dofrestom; 
 and more determined than ever, to devote 
 his whole being to this deserted old man, 
 he took up a pen to write to Heinreich be- 
 fore he returned home. 
 
 The letter was calculated to awaken 
 shame and repentance in a thinking mind : 
 it was written in a strain of gentle reproof, 
 and with the promise of obtaining his 
 father's full pardon for the past, whenever 
 the offender should return to them with a 
 sincere intention of amendment. 
 
 Having given the letter to Heinreich's 
 servant, Theodore went back to the pro- 
 fessor.
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. I05 
 
 Fortunately it was his dinner hour, so 
 that the crowd of visitors was gone. In 
 extreme distress, Theodore briefly stated 
 what had occurred, adding, " I had hoped, 
 dear Sir, to have been able to ask leave of 
 absence from home, nay to take it, till it 
 would suit your convenience to part with 
 me ; or, what I should have liked much 
 better, till you could have returned with 
 me ; but I must never indulge in pleasing 
 dreams : I have been already, perhaps, 
 sufficiently indulged by the permission to 
 make this delightful visit. My poor father 
 will now require all the comfort and assist- 
 ance I can bestow, so I must reluctantly 
 request you will think. of my returning 
 next month." 
 
 Sergendal, as might be expected from 
 his character, had a torrent of wrath and of 
 obstacles to oppose to this request ; it was 
 impossible for him to return ; that Theodore 
 knew, and his work was not half printed, — 
 he had depended upon Theodore for draw- 
 ing up a table of contents in the shape of 
 ^ 5
 
 I06 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 an analysis of each chapter, and a copious 
 index, and now all that labour must fall 
 back upon the professor. 
 
 Theodore mildly assured him that he 
 would immediately begin this important 
 and agreeable task: then recapitulating 
 what he owed to the professor's kind tuition, 
 and all the intellectual pleasures he had 
 enjoyed through his means at Copenhagen, 
 he displayed so much candour and grati- 
 tude, that Sergendal was touched and be- 
 came silent. 
 
 Something more than silence was neces- 
 sary : Theodore was obliged to inquire 
 whether he was to make his arrangements 
 to return alone, or whether the professor 
 would provide a companion for him. 
 " You are very impatient, Sir,'* exclaimed 
 Sergendal ; " in spite of these florid expres- 
 sions of regret and regard, I cannot help 
 recurring to your conduct, and that. Sir, 
 teaches me to believe that I am not the first 
 object of your affection." 
 
 " I never sought to make you think so.
 
 THE KECLUSE OF NORWAY. I07 
 
 dear Sir/* replied Theodore; " since I 
 have had the happiness of knowing you, I 
 have felt an equal degree of respectful 
 affection for yourself, and for my father 
 Dofrestom j but I believe," — he hesitated 
 for a moment. — " Go on, young man." — 
 " I believe my first obligation is to hina, 
 and that when he is threatened with a 
 dreadful calamity, I am bound to sacrifice 
 your convenience, dear Sir, with my own 
 ardent wishes, to the chance of comforting 
 and helping him." 
 
 " Let me hear no more of this mora! 
 arithmetic, I beg, Sir," interrupted the 
 professor , " it has a disgusting air of cant 
 and coldness that insults me : I like young 
 men to act from impulse." 
 
 An expression in the eyes of Theodore, 
 that recalled the conduct of Heinreich, 
 made Sergendal add hastily, — " Good im- 
 pulses. Sir, I mean ; such as gratitude, 
 affection. If you really did feel grateful and 
 attached to me, you would not have the 
 coolness to argue in this manner." 
 E 6
 
 lo8 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 " My short life has been one of olpliga- 
 tionSj" replied Theodore, his eyes moist- 
 ened with tears ; " and 1 have hitherto 
 tried— ^conscientiously tried to acquit myself 
 of the vast debt towards any one that has 
 claims on me; if my heart over-rates 
 what I owe to him who fostered my orphan 
 infancy, and under-rates what I owe to you 
 who have given life and value to my nobler 
 faculties, I pray God to set me right. At 
 present I feel with bitterness of spirit, that 
 because I am very grateful to another, you 
 will not believe me otherwise than ungrate- 
 ful to yourself." — He paused, unable to 
 articulate more. 
 
 The professor*s heart smote him ; and 
 following the kindly impulse, he embraced 
 his pupil. " If your society were less 
 agreeable to me, Guevara, in short, if I 
 looked on you as I do on other young 
 fellows, I would not be so anxious to keep 
 you with me. Let me tell you, it is a dis- 
 .tinction you should be proud of, when you
 
 THE KLCLUSE OF NORWAY. 1 09 
 
 see how I am courted by all the rising 
 genius of the age." 
 
 " I fear. Sir, such a circle of friends 
 and admirers will detain you long from 
 o\ir valley.'* This observation gave a turn 
 to the conversation, and Theodore endea- 
 voured to collect from the professor some 
 instructions for his future mediation be- 
 tween Dofrestom and his son. 
 
 Several days elapsed after this, and Ser- 
 gendal still avoided the subject of Theo- 
 dore's conveyance back to Norway. Mean- 
 while Theodore toiled cheerfully over the 
 analysis, and soon completed it. He was 
 meditating how to re-open the dangerous 
 topic, when a short letter from Dofrestom, 
 containing one from his son, arrived at 
 Copenhagen. It was a positive command 
 for Heinreich to set out without delay for 
 Aardal, accompanied by a petition for 
 Theodore to be his companion. 
 
 ' Heinreich, indeed, was beyond the reach 
 of that letter's authority ; but Theodore, in 
 presenting his to the professor, firmly an-
 
 no THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 nounced his resolution of departing alone^ 
 as soon as he should hear of a vessel bound 
 direct for Bergen or Lavanger. 
 
 Again the selfish unreasonableness of the 
 professor burst forth, and coupling the ex- 
 torted permission with a threat of punishing 
 his ingratitude, he left poor Theodore to 
 feel that all who seek to act right, must pre- 
 pare '• to take up their cross/* 
 
 A marked displeasure continued to lower 
 on the professor's brow, and to thunder 
 in his voice for some days after this con- 
 ference : at length, while seated in his 
 literary circle one morning, he was sud- 
 denly seized with a paralytic stroke which 
 deprived him at once of consciousness and 
 the power of motion. 
 
 This event banished Aardal from the 
 thoughts of Theodore : compassion and 
 gratitude were here more imperiously 
 called upon, than they could be there ; and 
 with the unwearied attention of genuine 
 attachment, forgetting insult in pity, he.
 
 THE llECLUSK OF NOKWAY. I 1 I 
 
 watched and waited by the sick-bed of the 
 professor. 
 
 As soon as returning sense made Sergen- 
 dal conscious of Theodore's attendance, he 
 shewed an eagerness of love for him beyond 
 all that he had ever testified. He followed 
 his figure with his eyes wherever he 
 moved ; he looked at him with tears run- 
 ning down his cheeks, while his whole 
 countenance betrayed strong inward emo- 
 tion 5 in short, he seemed desirous to say 
 something or do something that was to be 
 serviceable to Theodore ^ but, motionless 
 and speechless, he could only sigh heavily 
 and lift his eyes to Heaven. 
 
 Theodore's tears -often dropt on the 
 deathly hand he bent his head over, as he 
 knelt to place the pillows of his instructor ; 
 the dying man seemed fully sensible of this 
 tenderness, and at such times made more 
 distressing efforts to speak. 
 
 At length exhausted nature ceased to 
 act, and on the tenth day the professor- 
 breathed his last.
 
 il2 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 Deeply affected by his loss, Theodore 
 required the aid and advice of two or three 
 excellent men who were in the habit of 
 familiarly frequenting the professor's lodg- 
 ings : these gentlemen sought in vain for a 
 will ; one was at last produced by a young 
 civilian who had lately become a successful 
 rival of Theodore with the professor, but 
 whose presence, during his illness, appear- 
 ed to cause him the utmost disgust. 
 
 The will being opened, its date proved it 
 to have been the production of temporary 
 anger at Theodore. It bequeathed ail the 
 professor's personals and ready moHey to 
 this young man ; his house at Aardal to 
 the parish for its pastor ; a small annuity 
 to Christian ; made the academy at Chris- 
 tiana his residuary legatees ; and left Theo- 
 dore the profits only of an unpublished, 
 unfinished manuscript. 
 
 More shocked at the unfavourable effect 
 
 this produced upon others, than keenly 
 
 disappointed in his own person, Theodore 
 
 laboured to convince the friends of Profes- 
 
 5
 
 THi: Ki:CLUSE OF NORWAY. H3 
 
 SO? Sergendal, that daring his last illness 
 the mistaken man shewed visible regret for 
 what he had done : it was now clear to him, 
 and he soon made it so to them, that had 
 the professor been capable of speech or ot 
 writing, he would have niade a kinder dis- 
 position of his property. -— " As it is," said 
 Theodore, " I am disappointed a little, but 
 not afflicted, since I am sure the professor's 
 heart did me justice before he died.'' 
 
 In quality of heir, Brandt (the civilian) 
 took upon him to execute those sad offices, 
 the performance of which sometimes 
 soofhes real grief; and all that was left to 
 Theodore, w^as the melancholy consolation 
 of attending his preceptor's remains to their 
 last abode. 
 
 It is customary in Denmark to surround 
 each grave with doleful or cheerful shrubs, 
 at the fancy of the survivors : thus alternate 
 thickets of roses and of cypres?, of lilacs 
 and of juniper, give the air of a garden to 
 every church-yard. .
 
 114 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 Theodore planted a circle of hawthorns 
 round the cold bed of the professor, and 
 the next morning set sail in a merchant 
 vessel for the port of Bergen*
 
 ( y^ 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 ^FHEODORE'S voyage was remarkably 
 tedious, yet not dangerous ; and care- 
 less about the dreariness of a solitary jour- 
 ney, through the wild country leading to 
 Sogne-fiord, he proceeded without delay 
 to the valley of Aardal. 
 
 It was the end of March, a winter month 
 in Norway, during which clear frost and 
 serene skies render travelling delightful. 
 
 The lakes and rivers were as hard and 
 as bright as crystal ; the beautiful hoar- 
 frost that sparkled from the mossy sides of 
 the highest mountains, and hung every ti-ee 
 and shrub with brilliant festoons, sometimes 
 blazed with the meridian sun, sometimes 
 reflected the tender moon-light, or was suc- 
 cessively illuminated and darkened by the 
 flash and retreat of the aurora borealis.
 
 Il5 TlIC [iECLUSE OF NORV/AY, 
 
 The silence of the scene added to It^ 
 magnificence : Theodore's wearied spirit 
 found rest in this repose of nature : the 
 thunder of falling waters,' the tempestuous 
 tossing of forests, the sound of wind and 
 rain, and all that awful din of elemental 
 strife which had animated his autumnal 
 journey, were now hushed. Winter's 
 mighty wand had arrested the cataract in 
 its fall, chained the river to its bed, and 
 fixed the trees, like the white coral groves 
 of ocean, in motionless beauty. 
 
 " Yes ! this is the true home of man j" 
 repeated Theodore to himself, as he felt 
 the alternate glow of admiration and the 
 tranquillity of peace succeed each other in 
 his heart. " Pleasure may be found in the 
 world, but happiness dwells with retire- 
 ment." 
 
 If he judged wrong, let him not be con- 
 demned : he had just received in that world 
 two severe wounds ; it seemed to him that 
 if Heinreich and the professor had not en- 
 tered it, the one would have continued
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. II7 
 
 harmless, and the other would not have 
 quitted life repaying attachment with in- 
 gratitude. 
 
 As he approached x^ardai, .many painful 
 apprehensions .arose : he pictured the ex- 
 pectation and the disappointment of Dofres- 
 tom and Catherine, who v/ere anticipating 
 Heinreich's arrival also. That anin;iating 
 expectation, how it would appear in Cathe- 
 rine's preparations ! the glowing stove, the 
 newly-burnished benches, the room deco- 
 rated with the glossy leaves and berries of 
 the 'holly, the "best linen, and some rural 
 dainty for their late supper; all these sim- 
 ple circumstances rose before the im.agina- 
 tion of Theodore. Catherine's smiling 
 countenance, and the placid one of Do- 
 freston], completed the mental picture. 
 
 "- How am I to tell them," he asked 
 himself, as he entered the valley, two 
 such bitter dis?ppointments ? Heinreich^s 
 profligacy, the professor's unkindness !'* 
 He was now close to the cottage ; the moon 
 shone on its numerous casements, and upon
 
 Il8 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 the icicles that were mixed with the ivy 
 around them. All the shrubs in the garden 
 \vere bright with the frost and the moon- 
 light : it looked the abode of peace — and he 
 was to break that peace ! 
 
 At the sound of his steps, the watch- dog 
 sprang upon him with a loud bark, but direct- 
 ly soothed by his voice, followed him joyfully 
 to the door, as he lifted the latch and en- 
 tered. 
 
 Catherine was sitting alone on a low stool 
 by the fire, and that was nearly out. On 
 a table before her lay the well-known bible, 
 open, and blistered v/ith tears. She turned 
 her head at the sound of a step, and, recog- 
 nizing Theodore, uttered an hysteric scream. 
 That cry, and the sight of her altered 
 face, assured Theodore he had nothing to 
 tell! 
 
 He ran forward, and stretching out his 
 arms, received her, half senseless, within 
 them. She sobbed ; she uttered short and 
 piercing shrieks ; and though trembling 
 as if her whole frame were loosened by
 
 iliE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. II9 
 
 emotion, her hand grasped his with a tight- 
 ness that defied the power of removal. 
 
 A sad and faultering voice was now heard 
 to issue from the next chamber. Theodore 
 caught these words : " Catherine, is it our 
 child ? is it Theodore ? Come to me, Ca- 
 therine." 
 
 Theodore's failing strength returned at 
 these doleful sounds. Still clasping the 
 speechless Catherine, he rushed into the 
 adjoining room, and threw himself on his 
 knees by Dofrestom's bed. The old man 
 grasped his neck, and, bursting into tears, 
 hung there in silence. Catherine continued 
 to litter hysteric cries; the old man to weep ; 
 and the sad Theodore, unable to address 
 either, raised his eyes and his heart to 
 Heaven, where he, who comforted all, 
 sought his only comforter. 
 
 By slow degrees Catherine recovered her 
 self-possession, and Dofrestom was able to 
 ask and to answer questions. Theodore 
 then learnt, that a letter from Mr. Thon- 
 kild had given the particulars of Heinreich*s
 
 I20 TIIE RECLUSE OF KOKWAY. 
 
 elopement with Stephania Richenmn. That 
 gentleman had been applied to by the cre- 
 ditors, of Heinreich, and he wrote merely to 
 know whether Dofrestom had the means and 
 the inclination to satisfy their demands. 
 *' No man shall suffer by my cruel boy !*' 
 said Dofrestom, with a heavy sigh, " no 
 man but myself. Catherine and I will deny 
 ourselves every thing, till we have paid the 
 last dollar ; and I am sure, Theodore, you 
 will cheerfully do the same. However, 
 better days are in store for you ; when 
 Professor Sergendal leaves the MPorld, you 
 will have the power to do what I used to 
 do, but must do no longer." 
 
 Theodore's saddened eyes turned away 
 from those of his poor friend. Anxious to 
 delay the stroke of another disappointment, 
 he rose in confusion, and complaining of 
 feeling faint from long travelling without 
 refreshment, prayed Catherine to get him 
 supper. 
 
 Catherine had lost none of her pleasure 
 in serving others, though the alacrity of
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. ISI 
 
 cheerfulness had left her. She hastened to 
 spread the little table in the other roomj 
 with all that her cupboard afforded. It was 
 not now as plentiful as formerly ; every thing 
 she produced bespoke neglect and severe 
 economy. There was none but rye-cakes 
 in the cottage, and those stale ; some dried 
 fish, and a few preserved niurtrons, (a sort 
 of wild plum,) was all she had to offer. 
 
 A smile of pensive acknowledgment for 
 what she did give him, consoled her for 
 the want of what she did not ; and as she 
 listened to his healing accents, her softening 
 heart confessed its late ingradtude to Heaven, 
 for thinking that all happiness had gone with 
 Heinreich. 
 
 The truth had been so harshly told by 
 Mr. Thonkild, that Theodore's milder 
 communications insensibly diminished the 
 horror of the first shock. He described the 
 temptations of the capital ; and Catherine's 
 ignorance even magnifying their power over 
 innocence, helped to palliate what could 
 not be defended. 
 
 VOL. I. G
 
 12^ THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 Desirous to avoid the subject more imme- 
 diately connected with his own prosperity, 
 he proposed parting for the night, in order 
 to give them all repose after the agitation of 
 meeting. " To-morrow we shall talk of 
 Copenhagen, and the professor, and what- 
 ever I know will interest you," he said, 
 rising from his homely meal ; " to-night 
 we must all try to forget our cares/* He 
 then went to beg the blessing of the night 
 from Dofrestom, and repeating to him what 
 he had said to Catherine, retired to his apart- 
 ment. 
 
 Fortunately for Theodore, Dofrestom 
 had lived too much in other countries, to 
 retain the rudest of Norwegian customs. 
 In his house, therefore, each person had 
 some nook, however small, that he might 
 call his own ; some sanctuary where grief 
 might indulge itself without witnesses, and 
 piety utter her fervent prayer, undisturbed 
 by the fear of intrusion. 
 
 Theodore's sleepless agitation had no 
 observer. He rose the next morning unre- 
 7
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. I23 
 
 freshed, but composed ; and gently openmg 
 the door of Dofrestom's room, saw, with 
 pleasure, that he was still asleep. To 
 defer speaking of the professor's death, he 
 walked softly out of the house, and pur- 
 posing to return by the usual breakfast hour, 
 proceeded in the direction of the mountains, 
 towards Aardal. 
 
 The hamlet, built on a plateau of the 
 Sogne-fialle, was discernible at a great 
 distance. The red tiles with which the 
 houses were roofed, began to appear through 
 the melting snow ; but every thing was 
 still ; all its peaceful inhabitants were buried 
 in sleep. The spire of the little church, 
 glittering on the bright blue sky, recalled 
 the idea of the worthy pastor from whose 
 kssons he and Heinreich had first received 
 the seeds of knowledge. He sighed over 
 the memory of this excellent man, but still 
 more over that of his misguided friend. 
 Wherever he turned, objects presented 
 themselves that, recalling many a toil or 
 sport of their childhood, made his heart 
 G 2
 
 124 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 bleed with remembrance. His walk did not 
 animate his spirits, though it afforded him 
 an opportunity of fortifying himself against 
 the impression of these local remembrances ; 
 and, for the sake of Heinreich*s father and 
 aunt, he believed himself called upon to 
 subdue even the appearance of poignant re- 
 gret. 
 
 Without pursuing the path to the hamlet, 
 he turned back, and went down the valley, 
 towards the house of the professor. To his 
 saddened imagination it wore an air of fright- 
 ful desolateness. All the windows werc 
 closed, and he saw no other living thing 
 than a solitary elk, seeking for moss and 
 berries, under the snow of the outward 
 court. 
 
 This poor animal had been a favourite 
 with the professor ; and Theodore recalled 
 the many injunctions he had given his house- 
 keeper on their departure, to let him find 
 his pet sleek and plump when he should 
 return. The creature came to him when 
 ,he called her j and as she licked his hand^
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 125, 
 
 be felt a tear start into his eye. *^ Poor 
 Lilla !" he repeated, " poor Lilla ! — - you 
 have lost a kind master, but I will take care 
 of you.'' 
 
 Having stood awhile leaning over the gate, 
 and revolving many past scenes, he patted 
 Lilla again, and turned away. 
 
 "When he returned home, he found that 
 Dofrestom nad made an effort, and quitted 
 his bed j an effort to which a wounded 
 spirit rather than an enfeebled body had 
 hitherto made him incapable. The dejection 
 of his venerable face gave way to transient 
 brightness when Theodore entered. He 
 shook back his thick grey locks, and held 
 out his arms to him. Theodore kissed his 
 brow. Catherine was busy turning some 
 wheaten bread upon an iron plate above the 
 fire ; and she took care to tell her dear 
 Theodore, that although she had for some 
 time only allowed common flad-brod to be 
 used, she was now making a little exception 
 in favour of his return. 
 
 Their breakfast was less plentiful, and 
 ^ 3
 
 126 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY, 
 
 much coarser than usual f but it was served 
 on spotless linen, with its customary neat- 
 ness; the furniture of the room was as 
 shining as ever ; and the floor as carefully 
 strewed with the young sprouts of the fir 
 and juniper. 
 
 As Theodore looked round the ap^irt- 
 mentj and felt the substantial of comfort, 
 in warmth, neatness, and affection ; hurried 
 into momentary enthusiasm, he stretched 
 out a hand to each of his dear companions, 
 exclaiming, " Well ! we have still enough 
 for content." 
 
 *' Yes, if i thought Heinreich would ever 
 return to us, and forget all that the cruel 
 world has taught him to love so much." 
 Dofrestom paused after saying this ; then 
 endeavouring to look cheerful, asked after 
 the health and the return of the professor. 
 Theodore's countenance seldom required 
 assistance from speech : its altered expres- 
 sion disclosed the truth. Dofrestom put 
 down his untasted breakfast : " Surely, 
 my son, — the professor is — Good God!
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 1 27 
 
 can It be that he is dead ?'* Theodore bowed 
 his head in token of assent. 
 
 Catherine uttered an exclamation of sur- 
 prize and concern ; and Dofrestom re- 
 mained a few moments in silent awe. At 
 length he spoke. " He is gone then, I 
 trust, to find a happier world than the one 
 we are left in ! — Blessed must have been 
 his last hour, for you most likely were with 
 him ; and he must have died happy, think- 
 ing he could leave you a proof of his af- 
 fection, and a testimony of your own 
 deserts. My old age — my death-bed — 
 my son, on the contrary '* 
 
 Theodore hastened to interrupt the me- 
 lancholy anticipation, by presaging better 
 feeh'ngs in Heinreich, and happier days for 
 them all. 
 
 " Well, well !*' replied Dofrestom, " time 
 only can shew who judges right ; tor / hope 
 nothing now. Let us go back to the other 
 subject. How long has the professor been 
 dead ? Who is left to settle his affairs ?" 
 
 ^* Two very worthy men are his execu- 
 
 G 4
 
 128 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 tors, and — '* Theodore hesitated ; " I fear 
 you will be disappointed on my account, dear 
 father, for I am sorry to add, for all our 
 sakes now, that except a very trifling be- 
 quest indeed, I am not considered in the 
 will/' 
 
 *' But you are. I have a copy of the 
 professor's will, witnessed by myself ; he 
 wrote it and read it to me, and gave it me 
 the day he left his room after his illness." 
 Dofrestom started from his chair, to go in 
 search of this important document. Theo- 
 dore gently retained him. A short dialogue 
 explained the whole matter, convincing Do<« 
 frestom and his sister, that their beloved 
 orphan was a victim either to Counsellor 
 Brandt, or to the morbid humour of the 
 professor." 
 
 " So," cried Catherine, " after doing 
 nothing all his life but call other people 
 ungrateful, the professor dies, proving him- 
 self the most ungrateful man that ever 
 lived !" 
 
 Theodore mildly interrupted her ; he
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 1 29 
 
 said all that was possible to be said in ex- 
 tenuation of the professor's conduct, adding, 
 that perhaps in their intercourse he had not 
 been sufficiently tolerant to his failings, or 
 attentive to his peculiarities, therefore might 
 have given him reason to suspect the sin- 
 cerity of his attachment. 
 
 Catherine shook her head. *' Well, 
 well V* said Dofrestom, " it is not our 
 province to judge one another : after all, it 
 is the will of Providence. I see we are all 
 to suffer for Heinreich's fault ; and you, 
 my precious Theodore, that was born per- 
 haps — but that is of no consequence 
 
 you must work for your bread, and deny 
 yourself every thing, as I shall do.'* 
 
 It was this last image that made his pe- 
 cuniary disappointment painfully bitter to 
 Theodore. Had the professor left his pro- 
 perty to him, he could have paid Heinreich's 
 debts, restored the dear old couple their 
 power of being hospitable, and still pre- 
 served enough to smooth their latter days. 
 But it was as Dofrestom simply said, tbe 
 ^5
 
 130 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 will of Providence, None but such as have 
 suffered often and deeply, can guess the 
 power of words so commonly used, and so 
 little regarded : In the depths of affliction, 
 the agitated heart repeats them to itself, and 
 finds calmness, if not sun-shine, succeed to 
 the mental tempest. 
 
 In discussing the details of the professor's 
 conduct and property ; in a variety of 
 opinions upon his motives, and the degree 
 of indulgence or censure they merited, Do- 
 frestom was insensibly led from the con- 
 templation of his son's situation ; and 
 Theodore, contriving to blend with those 
 details many curious descriptions of persons 
 and^manners in Denmark, managed to fix 
 the attention, and by that means beguile 
 the grief of Catharine. 
 
 The news of his arrival being spread 
 round the neighbourhood, every one has- 
 tened to welcome him back ; and no one 
 came empty-handed : each generous Nor- 
 wegian had some little present to offer. It 
 is true their offerings were mostly provisions.
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 13! 
 
 or articles of clothing manufactured by the 
 givers ; -but Theodore, aware they were 
 meant to furnish the table of Dofrestom 
 with those comforts his new system of fru- 
 gality prevented him from allowing himself, 
 received the rustic gifts with gracious thank- 
 fulness. 
 
 No one mentioned Heinreich, for no one 
 wished to shew his own compassion at the 
 expence of the poor father's feelings ; but 
 every body burst forth in displeasure at the 
 will of Professor Sergendal. 
 
 Theodore had to go over the old ground 
 again of explanation and apology ; and at 
 his representation of the professor's unavaiU 
 ing distress during his short illness, not 
 only Catherine but the other women shed 
 tears. 
 
 Theodore had not yet learned all that 
 was to afflict him. After he became settled 
 at home, he beheld the rigorous parsimony 
 that prevailed there with surprize ; It 
 seemed to him that Heinreich's debts might 
 be gradually liquidated by setting aside the 
 G 6
 
 132 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 profits of the saw-mill, and such articles as 
 were sold off the farm, without taking from 
 the aged couple their usual comforts. They 
 had long been accustomed to the luxury of 
 coffee, the medicine of wine, and to various 
 other foreign commodities, annually sent 
 them from Bergen 5 why should they not 
 only resign the use of these things, but 
 deny themselves the very products of their 
 own garden and fields ? Why were the 
 corn and cattle of one, and the fruit of the 
 other, carried to distant places for sale ? 
 
 When these questions were asked, Do- 
 frestom confessed to Theodore, that during 
 his absence he had been obliged to mort- 
 gage his mill to Mr. Thonkild, as part of 
 payment for the sums advanced on his 
 credit to Heinreich : that to pay off this 
 mortgage, and gradually satisfy the creditors 
 of his son, he must indeed live the life of a 
 miser. 
 
 The magnitude of Heinreich's fault was 
 now shewn by its consequences ; Theodora 
 shuddered when he beheld them.
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 1 33 
 
 Anxious to lend his assistance to relieve 
 the burthens of his benefactor, he soon re- 
 newed his habits of laborious industry. If 
 he sometimes thought with regret of the 
 professor*s library, which had always been 
 more precious in his eyes than mines of 
 wealth, he checked that regret by consider- 
 ing that if it had been his, its volumes 
 would too often have won him from mono- 
 tonous employment. Now, his only se- 
 ducers were an English Shakespeare, and 
 a few other books, given him in the early 
 stage of their acquaintance by the pro- 
 fessor. 
 
 The cheerfulness with which he laid 
 aside those studious habits that Dofrestom 
 knew were so dear to him, and the tender- 
 ness with which he endeavoured to procure 
 for the old man a more generous diet than 
 that he now allowed him.self, animated 
 Dofrestom to struggle against his own de- 
 pression. 
 
 Theodore's humane disposition had made 
 him hitherto averse to the pursuits of
 
 134 "I'^E RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 fishing and shooting, as aniusements ; but 
 now, affecting to grow fond of them, he 
 frequently walked many miles to a lake, 
 for the sake of bringing home trout for 
 Dofrestom's supper, or gave up his only 
 leisure hour to ranging about with his 
 gun, in search of wild ducks or white par- 
 tridges. 
 
 He was grieved to see the domestic pri» 
 vations to which Heinreich's extravagance 
 condemned these excellent people ; yet 
 still more did he grieve for the effect it had 
 upon their hospitality. Dofrestom's house 
 no longer contended with that of the pastor, 
 for the pleasure of lodging and nourishing 
 the way-faring stranger ; it was no longer 
 the resort of mirthful neighbours, partaking 
 freely of good cheei*, and returning loaded 
 with rural niceties for their children. Those 
 neighbours still came, it is true, but they 
 contrived not to make their visits at the 
 hour of meals j and Theodore therefore 
 never saw Dofrestom's bright look of wel-
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 1 35 
 
 come, and Catherine's hospitable bustle, 
 which so often used to delight his heart. 
 
 But was this dreary life never to end ? 
 Did no cheering object terminate the dark 
 perspective ? Yes ; Theodore looked with 
 reasonable expectation to the small legacy 
 of the professor. 
 
 Before he left Copenhagen, Mr. Coper- 
 stad, one of the executors, had testified 
 such disinterested anxiety for his future 
 welfare, that he had surmounted his natu- 
 ral aversion to hasty confidence, and frankly 
 stated his situation. Mr. Coperstad entered 
 warmly into the subject, and suggested 
 ofFerihg the unfinished manuscript of the 
 professor to the university at Copenhagen : 
 even the imperfect work of a distinguished 
 philosopher must possess intrinsic merit; 
 and when the writer was no more, that cir- 
 cumstance bestowed on it another sort of 
 value. He concluded, therefore, by assert- 
 ing the probability of their purchasing the 
 MSS. and he offered his services fqr the 
 negociation.
 
 1^6 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 Theodore had thankfully accepted the 
 offer ; but afraid of disappointment, would 
 not mention the business at the cottage. 
 
 Aware that Dofrestom would reduce 
 himself to beggary rather than leave Hein- 
 reich's debts unpaid, he had desired Mr. 
 Coperstad (in the event of the university 
 purchasing the fragment) to learn from 
 Thonkild the amount of the debts, and to 
 discharge them as far as possible. 
 
 He particularly prayed Mr. Coperstad 
 not to give the slightest intimation of his 
 employer, but simply^ to say it was a person 
 who wished to free the father from the con- 
 sequences of his son's indiscretion. 
 
 No sooner was Theodore made acquainted 
 with the embarrassment of Dofrestom's 
 affairs, than he v^rote to Mr. Coperstad, re- 
 questing him to apply the money to the 
 purpose of freeing his benefactor from the 
 mortgage, and completely clearing him 
 from any claims of Mr. Thonkild. 
 
 But some months must elapse before his 
 hopes or fears could be ended, the distance
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 1 37 
 
 v/as SO great and the posts so uncertain : 
 yet he kept his anxiety to his own breast, 
 and pursued the incessant toil of husbandry 
 and the mill, with an assiduity which gave 
 frequent intervals of rest to the altered 
 Dofrestom. 
 
 Catherine's simpler mind was not long 
 of recovering its aptitude to cheerfulness ; 
 but Dofrestom, in spite of every exertion to 
 the contrary, seemed incapable of becoming 
 what he had been. If he seated himself 
 for an interval of rest, he would instantly 
 sink into such profound thought, that it 
 required an absolute challenge for his at- 
 tention, to recall him from it. When 
 roused, he would try to smile ; but that 
 wretched smile ill-disguised the pain it was 
 meant to hide. 
 
 In truth, Dofrestom was eternally re- 
 volving the situation of Theodore : though 
 answerable solely to his own upright con- 
 science for the performance of those mental 
 promises he had made the orphan, he felt 
 them no less binding thanif openly avowed ;
 
 138 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 and reproached himself daily, for having 
 pledged part of the property he intended to 
 divide between Heinreich and him. 
 
 Yet for all this there was no other re- 
 medy than trUvSting that Providence vi^ould 
 prolong his life .till frugality and industry 
 had paid off the mortgage and Heinreich's 
 debts y after which, he solemnly vowed 
 never to advance a single ducat for his son, 
 unless he returned home penitent and re- 
 formed. 
 
 The short summer and autumn of north- 
 ern climes pas^sed, and brought no other 
 intelligence than what was transmitted from 
 persons in Copenhagen, who had acciden- 
 dentally heard from travellers, that Hein- 
 reich and Stephania were engaged at the 
 opera at Dresden. 
 
 Was it hardness of heart, or was It shame 
 that kept Heinreich silent ? Theodore 
 wished it might be the latter, and Dofres- 
 torn fondly hoped it was, v/hen a letter from 
 Mr. Thonkild, brought by the same post^ 
 was opened and read^
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 1 39 
 
 It was to tell Dofrestom, that a stranger 
 had a short time before waited upon the 
 merchant, looked at his account of the debt 
 and mortgage, and had that morning finally 
 discharged the full demand. Mr. Thon- 
 kild, therefore, unable to discover for whom 
 he acted, now enclosed a legal acquittal of 
 obligation, and hoped for the continuance 
 of Mr. Dofrestom's correspondence. 
 
 It had been concerted between Theodore 
 and Mr. Coperstad, that he should act in 
 the manner described, and refrain from 
 writing till some time afterwards. He was 
 sensible how keen a pang must pierce Do- 
 frestom, if he knew that the distresses 
 brought on him by a son, were relieved by 
 the sacrifice of all that an adopted child 
 possessed ; he therefore left the pleasing 
 suspicion to fix where it might. 
 
 Happily for his secret, Dofrestom's ready 
 heart overflowed with the idea of Heinreich, 
 He recollected having hinted in one of his 
 last letters to that thoughtless young man, 
 rhat having exhausted not only the savings
 
 1.40> THE RECI.USE OF NORWAY.* 
 
 of his life, but his credit with Mr. Thonkild, 
 to supply his profusion, his next ruinous 
 sfep must be to mortgage his little pro- 
 perty. 
 
 This threat, he imagined, had given 
 Heinreich an alarm, and had most likely 
 induced him to forget the claims of his own 
 creditors, to save the honor of a father. 
 
 Probably, his success had been great in 
 Germany ; at any rate, the sacrifice of so 
 larg£ a sum of money argued a happy 
 change in his expences. 
 
 Such a tide of present joy and future 
 hope gushed upon Dofrestom and Cathe- 
 rine at this conjecture, that Theodore's pas- 
 sionate love of truth scarcely knew how to 
 regret the deception.. He left them in their 
 error; and the grateful happiness he en- 
 joyed from what was real in the affair^ 
 diffused such a glow over his person and 
 his manner, that no one perceived he spoke 
 less of Heinreich's noble amende than the3r 
 did. 
 
 What a day of jubilee at AarJaL was;.
 
 "^HE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. I.4I 
 
 that which spread this agreeable news ! 
 Every artless inhabitant imbibed the opinion 
 'of Dofrestom. Heinreich's heinous trans- 
 gressions were nearly lost in returning 
 affection ; and the precious hope that his 
 complete reformation was not far distant, 
 made the Stone Cottage once more the seat 
 of cheerful hospitality. 
 
 Theodore's was the only silent joy, but it 
 ■was the most fervent : he knew himself the 
 source of all this sunshine ; and he regained 
 much of that personal liberty which it had 
 Jately been his duty to relinquish. 
 
 The business of the farm and mill was 
 again performed by servants, while just 
 enough occupation remained for himself 
 and Dofrestom as served for wholesome 
 exercise and employment. 
 
 The next tardy post that reached Aardal 
 brought a letter from Mr. Coperstau. As 
 it was viritten like a scholar, in Latin, 
 Theodore, m translating it ^or the aniuse- 
 ment of Dofrestom, easily managed co omit
 
 142 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 that single sentence in which the MSS. was 
 mentioned. 
 
 It simply informed Theodore that the 
 university had purchased the fragment ; and 
 the profit amounting to Mr. Thonkild's 
 claims within so trifling a sum as to be 
 hardly worth naming, he had taken the li- 
 berty of friendship, and completed it froni 
 his own purse. 
 
 Theodore little guessed how much this 
 obliging friend had really added : indeed he 
 was so grateful for the trifle he supposed it 
 to be, that it was well he did not suspect 
 its real extent. 
 
 In addition to interesting information upon 
 other subjects, this letter contained some 
 account of the professor's heir. That young 
 man had succeeded in completing the publf- 
 cation of the Natural History, and was now 
 reaping a golden harvest by its rapid dif- 
 fusion. He had disposed of the library to 
 a foreign minister ; and was, in short, grow- 
 ing rich on the spoils of Theodore.
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 1 43 
 
 But Theodore cared little for wealth, ex- 
 cept when the distress he could not relieve 
 pressed upon his sight. Grateful for the 
 blessing Professor Sergendal's small legacy- 
 had enabled him to bestow upon his early 
 benefactor, he learnt to estimate his obliga- 
 tion by the benefits it conferred. 
 
 Christmas, that season of gladness and 
 benevolence in Norway, was now hailed 
 with more than usual joy by Dofrestom and 
 Catherine. They had secretly looked for- 
 ward to many bitter moments, when their 
 hearts would prompt to give, and justice 
 must withdraw their hands. 
 
 Not content with displaying hospitality ia 
 all its forms to their own species, the ami- 
 able Norwegians consider it a duty to dis- 
 pense provisions and grant rest in more li- 
 beral proportions than usual to their beasts. 
 The very birds are invited to the general 
 banquet : a sheaf of corn is suspended on 
 high before the door of every house ; and 
 he that would betray the confidence of birds 
 thus allured, by shooting or alarming them.
 
 144 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 would be punished with the abhorrence of 
 his associates. 
 
 Simple, yet sublime traits of character ! 
 "What honour ! what kindness ! Let the 
 Christian go there, to embrace his true 
 brethren. 
 
 As Theodore sat in the midst of this 
 guileless circle, touched with their primi- 
 tive simplicity, and respecting their inte- 
 grity, he chid himself for still nourishing 
 the sleepless wish that some unforeseen event 
 might transplant him to another scene. 
 
 His intellectual soul pined for nobler 
 aliment ; and his heart sighed for some 
 kindred heart, whose equality of years, ac- 
 quirements, and sensibilities might " resolve 
 into one" with his. In friendship he had 
 been deceived ; of love, he had read much, 
 thought much ; but he had never felt even 
 a transient emotion that he could mistake 
 for this master passion. 
 
 1 he fair-h.iired girls of Aardal excited in 
 his breast orJy such a sort ot kindness as we 
 feel tor ciiildrSu ; he liked to contribute to
 
 THE tlECLUSE OF NORWAY. 1 45 
 
 their amusements and to see them happy ; 
 but their conversation had no charms for 
 him, whose imagination loved to haunt the 
 fairy world of Shakespeare, when alternately 
 he listened to the graceful innocence of Mi- 
 randa, the etherial softness of Imogen, the 
 sparkling wit of Beatrice, or the passionate 
 tenderness of Viola. 
 
 The liveliest sentiment he felt for any wo- 
 man younger than aunt Catherine, was for 
 Magdalen, the daughter of a herdsman, 
 whose residence was some miles up the 
 mountains. This amiable young creature 
 had been fondly attached to Heinreich ;: 
 and, deluded by his evident pleasure in her 
 attachment, had believed it reciprocal, 
 Heinreich meanwhile meant only to display 
 the triumph of being loved by the prettiest 
 damsel in the place ; and when he eloped 
 from Aardal, left her without explanation. 
 
 She had waited and drooped in silence, 
 still expecting some assurance of his con- 
 stancy, which never came. When Theo- 
 dore was on the point of going to the resi- 
 
 VOL. I. H
 
 146 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 dence of her faithless swain, she entrusted 
 him with her secret, intreating him to dis- 
 cover whether Heinreich had ever been 
 sincere. 
 
 Theodore executed the hopeless commis- 
 sion. The answer may be imagined : Hein- 
 reich treated the affair as a jest. Directly- 
 after their interview, Theodore wrote ex- 
 plicitly on the subject, informing Magdalen 
 that her admirer had never believed her 
 more in earnest than himself, and that he 
 felt therefore quite at liberty to form another 
 attachment. 
 
 Magdalen had a strong sense of right : 
 this information, by convincing her the 
 object was not worth regretting, suddenly 
 restored her to heahh and activity. She con- 
 sidered Heinreich's conduct v;ith honest in- 
 dignation ; and yielding to the solicitations 
 of a more faithful though humbler lover, 
 married him a few days before the news of 
 Heinreich's last profligate act had reached 
 the valley. 
 
 Eric, the man she married, was one of 
 15
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. I4J 
 
 Dofrestom's ablest assistants : his good con- 
 duct, and Magdalen's cheerful manners, 
 ensured them particular notice at the cot- 
 tage ; and Magdalen was always so ready 
 to leave the occupations of her own little 
 hut to assist Catherine in her houshold af- 
 fairs, that at length her society became an 
 absolute want to the good woman. 
 
 Theodore respected the dignity of Mag- 
 dalen's heart j and he was not only pleased 
 to see her happy with an honest man, but 
 gratified by finding that in her company 
 both Dofrestom and his sister found an 
 equivalent for his. She was endowed with 
 a playful fancy, and alternately amused her 
 associates with whimsical images, or well- 
 told stories. 
 
 Her secret, Theodore kept as faithfully as 
 she did herself; and he received his reward 
 in her speaking attentions. 
 
 With this agreeable addition to their 
 domestic parties, one winter and then ano- 
 ther passed smoothly away. Magdalen had 
 a child J and the visits of this little creature 
 H 2
 
 148 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY* 
 
 soon became a nev/ source of pleasure to 
 the worthy old couple. 
 
 Theodore's natural pensiveness, mean- 
 while, was taking a deeper shade. As he 
 grew into manhood his aspiration after 
 another country became less conquerable. 
 Norway had been his nurse, his affectionate 
 nurse ; but Spain was his real parent. 
 While absent from the land of his fathers, 
 it seemed as if he wasted life, in waiting to 
 t)egin to live. Neither the original structure 
 of his mind, nor the treasures with which 
 study had adorned it, appeared destined for 
 so narrow a space as the hamlet of Aardal. 
 The unextinguishable nature of his desire 
 seemed at times the voice of prophecy : still, 
 as Heaven and religion failed to silence its 
 suggestions, he sunk into the fond belief 
 of being destined to fix at last in the coun- 
 try of his ancestors.
 
 ( 149 ) 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 TN the spring of the second year after the 
 professor's death, a rare occurrence 
 attracted the notice of Aardal : it was the 
 appearance of a commodious carriage on 
 the opposite bank of the little river. 
 
 Though not very common even at Co- 
 penhagen in those days, a close carriage 
 was no novelty to Theodore ; but the rest 
 of the inhabitants followed its progress with 
 all the eagerness of wonder and curiosity. 
 
 The vehicle stopped below the hamlet, 
 and two gentlemen got out. After crossing 
 the stream, they proceeded down the val- 
 ley, loitering to examine the different ob- 
 jects it contained. The garden of Dofrestom 
 particularly engaged their attention. Theo- 
 dore's greatest amusement had been to 
 decorate it with such flowers and shrubs as 
 were not to be found growing wild among
 
 150 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 the mountains. He had brought many 
 beautiful plants from Denmark, which, 
 transplanted to this bleak climate, must 
 have perished, but for the utmost skill and 
 care in their culture. These were now 
 blowing in full beauty's 
 
 Their brilliant colours and delicious per- 
 fume attracted the travellers ; they ap- 
 proached the low fence, audibly admiring 
 what they saw. Amongst the neighbouring 
 thickets, innumerable thrushes (the night- 
 ingales of Norway) were warbling their 
 sweetest notes : the travellers paused to hear 
 their song, and to breathe thj fragrance of 
 the garden. " Ah, ha ! Who can this 
 pretty bijou belong to ?" asked the younger 
 gentleman ; " I should think he must have 
 brought all this taste from another coun- 
 try." 
 
 Dofrestom at that moment presented 
 himself: lifting his red bonnet, he bowed 
 respectfully, praying the travellers to walk 
 into his garden. They accepted the invita- 
 tion. His opening roses and carnations
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. I5I 
 
 were not spared by the bountiful hand of 
 Dofrestom ; and having led the gentlemen 
 the circuit of his little pleasure-ground, he 
 invited them into the house, to partake of 
 his humble dinner. 
 
 Catherine had by this time put on her 
 gala attire, and was curtesying at the door 
 of their parlour. The strangers looked in, 
 and beheld so excellent a repast, spread 
 with such neatness, that they ceased to 
 hesitate. 
 
 Their meal was lengthened by a variety 
 of questions about the condition and habits 
 of the neighbouring peasantry, and a few 
 inquiries into the situation of their host. 
 
 Dofrestom answered simply and briefly ; 
 Catherine now and then added a word, 
 which was always intended to excite curiosity 
 about Theodore. " Whose talent had con- 
 trived so many useful yet pretty trifles for the 
 embellishment of their cottage ?" *'* Theo- 
 dore." — " Who kept the garden in such ex- 
 cellent order?" " Theodore." — "And who 
 is Theodore?" asked the youngest stranger. 
 H 4
 
 152 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 *^ An orphan, Sirjthat my brother brought 
 from beyond sea, and has kept ever since. 
 The best and kindest youth — but I am sure 
 you will like to see him." Without waiting 
 for reply, Catherine went out to dispatch 
 Eric to the mountain on which Theodore 
 was overlooking the cattle and their herds- 
 man. 
 
 When Catherine re-entered, she found 
 the travellers conversing about the pastor 
 who had succeeded Sergendal's brother, 
 and who now resided in the professor's 
 house. As it had been their intention to 
 pass the night under his roof, they were 
 sorry to learn that he had gone that morning 
 to administer the sacrament to a dying man, 
 many miles across the fiord, and might be 
 detained there for a week to come. 
 
 The youngest traveller did not allow Do- 
 frestom time to make an offer of supplying 
 the pastor's place, but prefacing his speech 
 with a careless cough, expressed his in- 
 tention of passing the night where he was. 
 
 " Meanwhile, we will go and sec all
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 1 53 
 
 that is worth seeing ; and if your good lad 
 comes in soon/' (turning to Catherine,) 
 " he shall be our Cicerone.'* 
 
 The good lad^ as he had just been called, 
 at that moment presented himself. His olive 
 complexion, heightened by hospitable haste, 
 looked like the glow of sunset, reflected 
 from autumnal woods. His simply-pictu- 
 resque dress consisted entirely of Norwegian 
 plaid ; and a little cap of the same stuff, 
 mixed its bright purples and greens with the 
 shining black of his hair. Theodore now 
 lifted his cap, and stood respectfully holding 
 it above his head. 
 
 While the youngest stranger began to 
 heap question upon question, the elder was 
 contemplating the young rustic. 
 
 Instead of the massy limbs and white skin 
 of northern climates, he saw before him the 
 noble contours of Greece, joined to the 
 complexion and the elegant proportions of 
 Spain. The fine black eyes of Theodore 
 were modestly cast down. 
 
 " And this is a herdsman, a husband- 
 H 5
 
 154 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY, 
 
 man, a Norwegian peasant!" his observer 
 said inwardly. " After all, there is some- 
 thing commanding in beauty." 
 
 But the person who made this remark, 
 was feeling, though unconsciously, the force 
 of that intellectual beauty which informed 
 the person and manner of Theodore, and 
 without which even those perfect forms 
 would have remained a powerless mass. 
 
 " Attend these gentlemen, my son,*' 
 said Dofrestom j " they wish to see all the 
 curiosities round." 
 
 Theodore bowed, and prepared to con- 
 duct the strangers. He proceeded by their 
 side up the valley, silently observing them, 
 and replying to their questions. Whatever 
 was note-worthy he called their attention to, 
 with a modest plainness that left them very 
 far from imagining his mind more admirable 
 than his figure. He spoke no more than 
 was.necessary ; and as he led them through 
 the natural wonders and beauties of Aardal, 
 they concluded that he was going the usual 
 round of such Cicerones, not leading them
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 1 55 
 
 to curiosities and points of view which had 
 been first called into notice by himself. 
 
 Theodore had seen enough of society at 
 Copenhagen not to be certain that one at 
 least of his companions was of high rank : 
 it was the younger one. 
 
 This gentleman talked incessantly, and 
 rather foolishly ; yet his fellow-traveller, 
 though evidently twice his age, attended to 
 him with profound respect. This then was 
 one of fortune's strange masquerades, where 
 he who should have sustained the part of 
 an emperor is obliged to play that of a 
 page. 
 
 The elder stranger was, perhaps, some 
 years beyond forty. His figure was noble, 
 his air elegant to a degree of exquisite re- 
 finement rarely seen in northern courts. 
 Amenity of temper, and some passion, so 
 ably contended against by the will that its 
 very nature could not be guessed at, strove 
 for the mastery of expression, in a counte- 
 nance where every thing else was smooth 
 and courteous. 
 
 H 6
 
 1^6 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAV. 
 
 Theodore would have determined that 
 this countenance rather indicated an elegant 
 mind than a strong one, had not a flash of 
 powerful disdain once or twice shot from 
 his ef es, at some silly remark from his com- . 
 panion. Theodore's look could have re- 
 flected the disdain, but he had the enviable 
 art of keeping silence even with his eyes ; 
 and when those eloquent eyes were, silent, 
 how impossible was it to penetrate his 
 thoughts ! 
 
 He conducted the travellers to the wildest 
 range of the mountains, for the purpose of 
 shewing them a cavern of singular extent. 
 The mountain peaks were still capped with 
 snow. While the sides of some were richly 
 clothed with birch and pine w^ood, and others 
 gaily hung with wild fruit and flower-blos- 
 soms, one, towering above all the rest, 
 was clothed entirely with moss. 
 
 In autumn, the various-coloured tints of 
 this mountain gave it the appearance of a 
 gigantic mass of bronze ; but now its velvet 
 stirface was bright, refreshing, universal 
 
 7
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 157 
 
 green. A single spring of water, gliding 
 from its summit, passed like the silver track 
 of fairy feet over the beautiful verdure. 
 
 The gentlemen paused to admire. " What 
 an infinite variety in such a minute produc- 
 tion as moss !" observed the elder ; " I have 
 already taken up ten different sorts." 
 
 " Ah ! that is the lichen ranglfer'inus^^ 
 said the younger gentleman ; '• but I have 
 forgot my botany sadly. I v/onder if this is 
 the lichen hlandicus !'* 
 
 '' I believe it '* Theodore checked 
 
 himself, and turned away. He was going 
 to say he believed it was the lichen vulpinus ; 
 but, shrinking from an ostentation of know- 
 ledge, which must excite surprize when 
 possessed by a peasant, he watched his own 
 expressions with more care than before. 
 
 The gentlemen had seen and wondered at 
 the cavern, and were returning home, when 
 the youngest, abruptly changing his bad 
 Danish into French, bade his companion 
 look for his carriage and people, and tell
 
 158 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 them jvhere to bring his accommodations 
 for the night. 
 
 The person addressed, was beginning to 
 reply to " Son Ahesse," when Theodore, 
 retreating a few steps, said hastily, " I beg 
 your pardon for interrupting you. Sir, but 
 I ought perhaps to tell you, that I under- 
 stand French.'* 
 
 Both gentlemen were silent, from differ- 
 ent emotions ; the younger from mere sur- 
 prise, and the elder from respect for the 
 integrity and delicacy which had prompted 
 this confession. " This does you great 
 honour, young man," he observed ; then, 
 turning to his companion, added in Ger- 
 man, " I doubt whether Louis le Grand 
 himself could parallel the real politeness of 
 this young peasant." 
 
 A deeper suffusion on the face of Theo- 
 dore made the speaker half inclined to 
 suspect the truth, that this young peasant 
 knew German as well as French ; but that 
 was a preposterous fancy he thought ; and 
 remembering that Dofrestom had said he
 
 THE KEOLUSE OF NORWAY. 1 59 
 
 brought him from one of the French West 
 India islands, he concluded the mystery 
 solved, and proceeded to attend the wishes 
 of his fellow-traveller. 
 
 Theodore accompanied the young stranger 
 back to the cottage. As they walked toge- 
 ther, he had occasion to remark that there 
 is a constitutional laugh, as well as a con- 
 stitutional cough y for his companion never 
 began or ended a sentence without laughing. 
 At the sight of the professor's tame elk 
 running to meet Theodore, and performing 
 some amusing tricks with the docility of a 
 dog, he laughed heartily, and that was 
 natural ; but he laughed louder when he 
 was told she had been taught them by a 
 friend now dead. When they reached the 
 cottage, they found that Magdalen and 
 Catherine had already dressed up two cham- 
 bers for their guests reception at night. 
 Theodore was to sleep at the mill, and Ca- 
 therine had secured a lodging for herself at 
 the pastor's house. 
 
 The Baron (so the young traveller an-
 
 l6o THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 nounced himself) had a childish passion for 
 motion ; and having reconnoitred the whole 
 inside of the house, was not satisfied till he 
 had made the tour of all its out-houses. In 
 the ^ct of exploring a loft in a barn, he fell 
 through a broken ladder, and sprained his 
 ancle. 
 
 By the time his friend and servants re- 
 turned, he was stretched out on a mattrass 
 in the parlour, under Catherine's best quik 
 of hare skins, whiter than snow. She was 
 assiduously applying a fomentation of warm 
 oak-bark to his leg ; while the young baron, 
 though in extreme pain, was amusing him- 
 self with counting the number of colours in 
 her holiday attire. 
 
 Dismay was pictured on the face of Ust- 
 hamar (for by that name his companion 
 now called him) ; his expression of anxiety 
 was so repeated, and his fear of the acci- 
 dent proving worse than it seemed, was so 
 'visible in his manner, that Theodore of- 
 fered to set off in search of a person toler- 
 ably skilled in surgery, who made a eon-
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. l6l 
 
 Slant tour round their neighbourhood, and 
 who was probably at a village seven miles 
 ofF. 
 
 The offer was gratefully accepted : horses, 
 and one of their attendants, were imme- 
 diately offered by the travellers ; but the 
 road lay so entirely amongst the steepest parts 
 of the mountains, that Theodore, -assuring 
 them he could walk and leap it in half the 
 time alone, cheerfully hastened on his er- 
 rand. 
 
 Some civil things about his alacrity and 
 obligingness were said by Usthamar ; but 
 the good-natured Baron seemed to take 
 every attention to his accommodation as a 
 matter of course. In less than three hours 
 the acute pain of the Baron's ancle abated 
 sufHciently for him to become desirous of 
 supper. The provision contained in his own 
 carriage soon furnished a splendid repast of 
 costly dainties and French wines ; and hav- 
 ing made his host and hostess partake it, 
 with many a laugh and glance exchanged 
 with Usthamar as they did so, he begged
 
 l62 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 somebody would amuse him with one of 
 those marvellous stories about krakens and 
 mermaids for which that country is so 
 famous. 
 
 Magdalen's talent in the art of narrating 
 was too celebrated for Catherine to contest 
 it, she therefore resigned the honour of 
 entertaining their guest ; and some very 
 strange tales of Nissen and Dragedokher 
 (the good and bad genii of Norway), of 
 mountain and sea spirits, of ghosts and of 
 water wonders, filled up the hours till bed- 
 time. 
 
 The Baron began to listen with his usual 
 sensible note of admiration, bur, c.ttching 
 the superstitious mania of his company, he 
 soon grew serious and attentive, only break- 
 ing upon the grisly story with an expression 
 of, " Well, now, — that is singular, — one 
 would almost believe, — &c." 
 
 At length he became sleepy, and declar- 
 ing himself quite comfortable where he was, 
 sent for one of his servants to sit by him, 
 and gave the rest of the party their congee.
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. l6;2^ 
 
 Usthamar, as Dofrestom conducted him 
 to his chamber, feeling uneasy at the indif- 
 ference with which his companion made 
 himself comfortable, without attending to 
 the inconvenience it might be to his host, 
 said courteously, " I am sorry, good fa- 
 ther, for the trouble this unluckly accident 
 may cause you ; you must perceive that the 
 Baron is of greater quality than he chuses 
 to declare, and you may be sure, therefore, 
 of a noble reward/' 
 
 A momentary colour flushed the old 
 man's cheek, as he replied, " Sir, I do as I 
 would be done by ; 1 want no reward. I 
 and mine would have served one of the 
 gentleman's servants as v/illingly as we do 
 himself." 
 
 Usthamar smiled, and recollected that 
 he was not in Denmark with a peasant 
 bound to the soil, but under the roof of a 
 free Norwegian. " Liberty ennobles the 
 soul as much as beauty does the body;*' 
 was his internal observation. " You tell 
 me," he added, " that it is likely your son
 
 164 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 may not find this surgeon, but may have to 
 go further, so that they may not be back 
 till the middle of the night, or till morning. 
 I wish to be up when they arrive, and will 
 therefore request you to send my servant 
 with my writing-box. I suppose you have 
 not a book of any sort to amuse me ?" 
 
 " A few. Sir, of Theodore's you will 
 fmd in that closetr" Dofrestom unlocked 
 a sort of painted buffet, and stood with the 
 lamp, while the stranger examined the 
 volumes. Sully's Memoirs was the first 
 that he opened ; the next was Shakespeare; 
 then a work on experimental philosophy, by 
 a German ; a volume of Cervantes, and 
 one of Guicciardini's history, with the 
 Edda, and some of the professor's works, 
 completed the collection. 
 
 Usthamar examined them in silence : re- 
 taining the memoirs, he turned with a smile 
 to Dofrestom. " How came the young 
 man by these books ? Of course he cannot 
 read many of them,"
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 1 65 
 
 " He could read a hundred times as 
 many!" exclaimed Dofrestom, glowing with 
 honest pride. 
 
 " Yes, but not in so many different lan- 
 guages ? Here is French, Italian, German, 
 Spanish, Danish, English, and the ancient 
 Scandinavian!'' 
 
 When Dofrestom assured him that, be» 
 sides these, the young peasant knew the 
 Greek and Latin, was skilled in Natural 
 philosophy, and more or less acquainted 
 with all the sciences, the book dropt from 
 the stranger's h^nd. Interested and asto- 
 nished, he continued to enquire and to 
 listen, till Dofrestom had no more to tell 
 him on the subject of Theodore. 
 
 Usthamar remained for many minutes 
 lost in thought. " This youth is a wonder ! 
 or rather, it is wonderful to find such a per- 
 son in these solitudes. Under such tuition 
 as Piofessor Sergendal'?, ard with eight 
 months' residence at Copenhagen, it is not 
 surprizing to find a mind, naturally eager 
 for improvement, so highly cultivated. The
 
 1 66 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 most striking circumstance to me is the 
 simplicity of his manner, and the care he 
 has taken to keep his superiority concealed 
 from us. During his walk with us yester- 
 day, so skilled as you say he is in Natural 
 History, he must have practised great self- 
 denial, or great politeness, not to make us 
 ashamed of our ridiculous conjectures. Is 
 this modesty, my good father, or is it 
 pride ?" 
 
 " I should think, Sir,'* replied Do- 
 frestom, " that a sight of my boy would 
 have convinced you it could not be pride. 
 He conceals his learning out of good-nature 
 and modesty ; he hates to make a show of 
 himself ; and he is always afraid that when 
 the young folks about are brought to con- 
 sider how much wiser he is than they are, 
 they will not like him so well ; and he has 
 such a kind, good heart, that I am sure he 
 thinks nothing comparable to true affec- 
 tion." 
 
 " I believe he is right," observed the 
 Dane, with a long-drawn sigh j " yet the
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. iSj 
 
 ambitious soul pants after .'* He re- 
 collected himself, and the sudden expansion 
 of blazing expression on his countenance 
 was instantly withdrawn, and its usual per- 
 suasiveness substituted. " And is this youth 
 content to bury such acquirements in a 
 corner like this ?*"' 
 
 Dofrestom's voice faltered as he replied — 
 " I have often thought it a pity that it 
 should be so, good Sir, and my heart would 
 smite me if I kept him purely to please my- 
 self and Catherine ; but I fancy it is better 
 for him to live worthily here, even though 
 his great knowledge is buried, than to live 
 viciously where it would be displayed.*' 
 
 " And why should you think he would 
 live viciously in the capital ?*^ 
 
 " Alas ! Sir, I hau a son as good as Theo- 
 dore till he was eighteen, and then he went 
 to Copenhagen: — he fell into bad company, 
 and they were his ruin." 
 
 The tears were beginning to gush from 
 the old man's eyes, and unwilling to let a
 
 l68 THE RECLUSE OF ' NOIL WAY. 
 
 Stranger see his grief, he hastily said " Good 
 night,'^ and retired. 
 
 Theodore returned aftei: sun-rise with the 
 itinerant surgeon, who quickly prescribed 
 for the injured leg, positively assuring the 
 Baron that he must not attempt to walk for 
 at least a fortnight. 
 
 " A fortnight !'' he exclaimed, laughing ; 
 " how you look, Usthamar ! — Well, we 
 must stay here then, for there's no starting 
 again till I can scramble about rocks, and 
 over those cursed break-neck bridges of old 
 trees. Don't I bear the thing well ? This 
 will be one of our prime adventures to 
 tell!" 
 
 The person he addressed knew better 
 than any body, that even a sprained ancle 
 was indeed an event in the domestic his- 
 tory of such illustrious personages as his 
 companion ; and he smiled at his childish- 
 ness, and his good-humour. 
 
 But how was this grown baby to be 
 amused ? Cards were unknown at Aardal : 
 a musical instrument had never been heard
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NOllWAY. 169 
 
 to sound in the valley, since the epocha of 
 Heinreich's elopement : the Baron was no 
 reader; and even Magdalen's talent for 
 narration had its bounds ; her exchequer of 
 marvellous stories could not be expected to 
 last for fourteen days, if the Baron should 
 contrive to draw on it as extravagantly as 
 he had done the night before. 
 
 But Dofrestom had a ' chess-board, and 
 Eric was particularly distinguished for the 
 ingenious talent of his countrymen, and 
 could carve all sorts of pretty toys out of 
 wood and fruit-stones. 
 
 The Baron vt'as enchanted with his per- 
 formance upon a cherry-stone, and for the 
 first time in his life sat still half an hour, 
 endeavouring to imitate it. At first his am- 
 bition soared high enough to make him, at- 
 tempt every thing Eric executed ; but find- 
 ing his genius of a feebler pinion than his 
 master's, he bounded its flight to this single 
 point, and finished by reaching it. 
 
 Perhaps it is mischievous to add (parti- 
 cularly as this difiicult work was intended 
 
 VOL. I. 1
 
 170 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 for his bride elect) that Eric's pen-knife 
 gave the miniature basket its last touches, 
 and that even the unskilful eyes of Cathe- 
 rine could detect these strokes of the 
 master on the bungling performance. 
 
 Th Baron began his confinement to the 
 mattrass with the fear of a famine of amuse- 
 ment; and when released from it, confessed 
 that he had never had so abundant a 
 supply. 
 
 Ghost-stories, chess, lessons on the 
 cherry-stone, and the arrangement of 
 mosses, fossils, and shells, (which he em- 
 ployed all the children round to gather, and 
 Theodore to select,) made the day appear 
 short. The moment he was let into the 
 secret of Theodore's extensive information, 
 he seized him to ask an explanation of every 
 thing that started into his thoughts ; and 
 although his small mind' was scarcely able 
 to contain one complete set of ideas at 
 once, he was never content unless he could 
 lay an embargo upon the whole house, and 
 have them in waiting, with their different 
 talents, around his resting-place.
 
 THE IlECLUSE OF NORWAt. lyi 
 
 Dofrestom's natural hospitality made him 
 happy to yield his time to a lively young- 
 man, who bore so vexatious an accident 
 with such ceaseless good-humour ; Cathe- 
 rine liked him for his sympathy with her 
 superstition, and judicious criticisms upon 
 her cookery ; and Theodore, though fully 
 sensible that all this good-humourfed ty- 
 ranny was tyranny still, was amused by so 
 curious a specimen of human character. 
 
 Usthamar alone was seuiously annoyed,' 
 though he cautiously masked his disgust 
 under scrupulous attentions. He longed to 
 be released from the tedious duty of attend- 
 ing upon a person, to whom the laws of 
 society obliged him to pay scrupulous re- 
 spect. 
 
 The fictitious Baron was in short no less 
 a personage than the Hereditary Prince of 
 
 , who had come to Copenhagen in 
 
 search of a wife. Political reasons had in- 
 duced that court to accept his proposals for 
 the King's sister ; and good sense had sug- 
 gested, that if they wished the union to take 
 
 I 2
 
 172 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 place, they must leave the Princess as little 
 opportunity as possible of conversing with 
 her intended consort. 
 
 Happily, the young prince was born with 
 a propensity, if not a capacity, for discover- 
 ing perpetual motion; he had never in his 
 life staid so long in one place as he now did 
 perforce at Aardal : it was his passion to go 
 every where, see every thing, and ask every 
 body questions. To while away the time 
 between his proposal for Princess Sophia, 
 and the celebration of their nuptials, it was 
 proposed to him to travel through Norway. 
 Having determined to do so, his next occu- 
 pation was to chuse a companion ; and his 
 choice fell upon the most distinguished per- 
 ,son at the court of Frederic the Fourth. 
 
 The Count of Lauvenheilm and Ustha- 
 mar was not only of the noblest Danish 
 family, but in some degree connected with 
 the royal house. He had married an ille- 
 gitimate daughter of the late King, by the 
 beautiful Countess Samsee ; and, after her 
 death, had formed a second marriage, with
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 1 73 
 
 one of the illustrious family of Tremouille 
 in France. 
 
 Having acted as ambassador successively 
 at the courts of England and of France, he 
 was now returned to his own country, 
 anxiously waiting for an accession of honour 
 from his sovereign. At that juncture, the 
 
 Hereditary Prince of selected him 
 
 for the companion of his tour, and Count 
 Lauvenheilm knew the duty of courts too 
 well not to obey the summons. 
 
 Of Lauvenheilm it might be said, as v^s 
 said by Tacitus of Brutidius, — " Adorned 
 with liberal accomplishments, and formed 
 for great things, he was sure of reaching 
 the .first honours of the state, had he been 
 willing to walk in the paths of virtue." 
 
 Nature had, indeed, endowed him splen- 
 didly, — temper, judgment, talent, mag- 
 nificence of spirit, liberality in opinion, 
 eloquence, and that nameless quality which 
 gives to every other the power of inspiring 
 enthusiasm. She gave him, also, admira- 
 tion of excellence-in others ; but she added
 
 174 T"« RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 one gift, which for ever made such "excel- 
 lence unattainable by himself. 
 
 This gift was ambition — ambition of 
 such a towering wing, that it would con- 
 tinue to soar in the midst of lightnings and 
 thunder. His eye, once fixed upon the 
 dazzling point he determined to reach, was 
 never to be withdrawn : he gazed on the 
 bright object of desire, till honour, gratitude, 
 loyalty, nay even humanity, was blinded 
 with the blaze. 
 
 Fatal, fatal passion ! but for this, Count 
 Lauvenheilm had been the noblest and the 
 best of human beings. 
 
 The most rational yet affectionate father^ 
 the warmest friend, the most indulgent 
 master, the sincerest patron ; could the title 
 of most faithful subject have been added. 
 Count Lauvenheilm would have been per- 
 fect. 
 
 To the higher endowments of great poli- 
 tical and historical knowledge, he added 
 the lighter graces of society. Scarcely 
 three-and-twenty whence lost his first Coun-
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 1 75 
 
 tess, who died in child-birth, he travelled 
 into France, not to dissipate his grief, for 
 his had been a match of ambition, but 
 merely to appear as if he grieved ; and after 
 a two years' residence there, he married 
 again. 
 
 At the court of Louis Ouatorze (then in 
 its meridian) Count Lauvenheilm's natu- 
 rally graceful character was perfected in 
 every accomplishment. At the hotels du 
 Rambouillet, d'Albret, &c. he breathed 
 such an atmosphere of taste and wit, that 
 the complexion of his mind ever afterwards 
 retained the brilliant colours it then as- 
 sumed. 
 
 Uesprit des Mortemars^ that subtle es- 
 sence, which it was boasted could only be 
 found in the family from which it took its 
 name, was at least happily rivalled by the 
 fine, impalpable graces of Lauvenheilm's 
 conversation. He had the rare art of en- 
 nobling trifles, and of giving to important 
 subjects that airiness, without which they 
 I 4
 
 176 THE RECLliSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 could have found no place in the gay circles 
 of Paris. 
 
 Habit and inclination attached him 
 strongly to a court where the graces threw 
 their seducing veil over ambition, licentious-. 
 ness, and slavery ; persuading the young 
 mind of Count Lauvenheiim that the lirst 
 was glory, the second love, and the last 
 loyalty. He left it with regret, for the 
 correcter, but less charming court of his 
 own sovereign, Christian the Fifth. 
 
 After an abs^hce of twelve years, he re- 
 turned to Paris in quality of ambassador. 
 Paris was the fame, but he was altered. 
 He saw things as they really were, and 
 maturer judgment enabled him to '• sift 
 the bran from the wheat,'' in the actions of 
 mankind. 
 
 His second residence extended to the long 
 term of eight years, for although he did not 
 reside half that time in a political character, 
 (Denmark having become a subsidiary ally 
 to England,) Count Lauvenheiim obtained 
 permission to remain as a private individual.
 
 THE hecluse of Norway. 177 
 
 His second Countess was slowly de- 
 clining ; and, aware that she must die, 
 wished to breathe her last sigh on the bosom 
 of her parents. She struggled against her 
 complaint for two years, and at length sunk 
 into the grave. 
 
 The prosecution of a complicated law- 
 suit, occasioned by her death, detained the 
 Count above two years longer ; he had an- 
 nounced his intention of staying till its con- 
 clusion, but in the most interesting stage of 
 the affair, he suddenly requested leave to 
 return home. 
 
 Rumour attributed this step to anxiety 
 for the reputation of his eldest daughter, 
 whose beauty had captivated a married 
 prince of the blood. Private opinion gave 
 it another cause;, asserting that Count 
 Lauvenheilm aimed at the honour of a 
 neighbouring prince for a son-in-law. 
 
 Each of these statements was right ; and 
 Count Lauvenheilm was actuated by them' 
 both. 
 
 15
 
 17 S THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 The French prince's attentions were be- 
 ginning to awaken the scandal of that pro- 
 fligate, though refined court; and the German 
 prince had professed himself so enamoured 
 of a picture of the young beauty, that he 
 had it copied, and wore it about his person. 
 Count Lauvenheilm had no doubt that, were 
 the fair original seen, her triumph would 
 be secure. 
 
 Though he certainly returned with this 
 hope in his heart, he was obliged to act 
 cautiously ; for the prince in question was the 
 secular Bishop of Lubec, uncle to the young 
 Duke of Holstein, governing during his 
 minority j attached, by consanguinity, to 
 Denmark ; but by policy, to the rival court 
 of Sweden. 
 
 Another reason strongly prompted to 
 discretion : it was the fear of alarming Den- 
 mark, and forfeiting an honour to which 
 he looked with passionate eagerness — the 
 vice-royalty of Norway. 
 
 One of his first wife's brothers, the eldest 
 Count Gulderlieu, then held that high 
 3
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORV/AY. 1 79 
 
 post : it was a station for which he was 
 either unfitted by nature or by indolence, 
 and he had frequently talked of resigning 
 it. To this golden moment Lauvenheilm. 
 now looked : the viceroy of a free and 
 dauntless race, whose country was already 
 a vast citadel ! Ambition dream.t, for an 
 instant, of bright improbabilities, but for 
 once Lauvenheilm had the virtue to banish 
 its seducing images. 
 
 In this mood, he began his tour over a 
 country so interesting to him. The plan of 
 travelling incognito was adapted to his 
 views. He wished first to observe the cha- 
 racter, customs, and principles of the peo- 
 ple ; and then at a future day, assisted by 
 this previous information of their wants and 
 their wishes, acquire that popularity which 
 was hereafter to be the engine of good or 
 evil. 
 
 By his second title of Usthamar, he was 
 
 so little known, that Prince 's whim 
 
 of calling him so, did not put his incognito 
 
 in danger j and acquiescing to proceed 
 
 I 6
 
 l8o THE RECLUSE OF >70R\VAY. 
 
 without a suite, they had already gone from 
 Christiana to Drontheim by the course of 
 the Glomma and the valley of Guldbran- 
 dal, and were returning by a less frequented 
 way among the fiords, when the sprained 
 ancle arrested their course. 
 
 At first. Count Lauvenheilm looked with 
 horror on a fortnight's residence in so se- 
 cluded a place, with such a companion as 
 the Prince ; but the society of Theodore 
 embellished it with so many novel delights, 
 and the opportunity it afforded of closely 
 studying the Norwegian character was so 
 ample, that he ceased to regret an accident 
 attended with such agreeable circum- 
 stances. 
 
 Fortunately for Theodore, both himself 
 and the Count played too well at chess for 
 their illustrious opponent, who preferred, 
 therefore, an antagonist like Dofrestom, 
 that was always beaten. This, and the art 
 of carving with a penknife, occasionally 
 granted them a release from attendance : 
 and when other business did net call away 
 8
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. l8l 
 
 Theodore, the Count perpetually chose 
 him for the partner of his ramble, or the 
 guide of his short voyages down the Sogne- 
 fiord. 
 
 Completely captivated by the graces of 
 his noble companion, Theodore now looked 
 to these moments for the highest gratifica- 
 tion. The most exquisite mind, alternately 
 diffusing itself over subjects of taste, science, 
 morals, and manners, with the expansion 
 of strength, yet still preserving its elegant 
 persuasiveness, was something quite new to 
 Theodore : he had been accustomed to the 
 strong, unadorned, gigantic understanding 
 of his preceptor ; his mind's eye was used 
 to a sort of sterile greatness in him ; but 
 this lovely verdure of grace, and imagina- 
 tion, and kindness, embellishing even the 
 boldest characters of discourse, was what 
 he had never even fancied. 
 
 . Count Lauvenheilm began by captivating 
 his taste.; he finished by attaching his 
 heart. How could such a heart as Theo- 
 dore's fail to attach itself, almost with pas-
 
 1 82 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 sion, to a man thus gifted by nature, and 
 evidently elevated by Fortune to a height 
 he scarcely dared guess at ? — yet who court- 
 ed his regard with a mixture of dignity and 
 of gentleness, that seemed to say, " I long 
 for your friendship, and I know myself 
 worthy of it.'* 
 
 Disparity of age and rank, .by doubling 
 his gratitude, served but to increase his 
 enthusiasm ; and as the day drew near for 
 their guests' departure, he felt that when 
 Count Lauvenheilm should depart, it would 
 seem as if he had been gazing through the 
 gates of Heaven, now closed on him for 
 ever. 
 
 The Count meanwhile meditated some- 
 thing very different from a separation : the 
 partiality he had imbibed for Theodore was 
 not less sincere, though much less glowing, 
 than what he had himself inspired. For 
 the first time in his life, he believed that, he 
 saw an undisguised heart ; and that, without 
 owing any thing to his accidents of rank
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 1 83 
 
 or fortune, he had attached that heart to his 
 fate with rivets of steel. 
 
 Satiated with the level surface of artifi- 
 cial life, he contemplated with pleasure, the 
 natural beauties of simplicity and truth. 
 There was something picture'sque in Theo- 
 dore's errors with regard to many of the 
 customs and opinions of elevated society : 
 his expectations were founded upon immu- 
 table principles, therefore just and excel- 
 lent in themselves, but in how few instances 
 could Count Lauvenheilm say they would 
 be answered by what he would see in 
 courts ! 
 
 A peculiar propriety of mind, and that 
 taste which springs from delicacy of feeling, 
 assured Lauvenheilm that his protegee 
 would never confuse him by any gauche^ 
 ries ; but he saw that this child of solitude 
 and reflection would much earlier learn the 
 manners than the morals of busy life ; and 
 consequently, he prepared himself for some 
 astonishment in his company, at the roman- 
 tic refinement of the young man's notions.
 
 184 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAT. 
 
 It was Count Lauvenheilm's intention to 
 offer him the post of his confidential secre- 
 cretary. As it had formed part of the 
 Count's views to make a name for himself 
 throughout Europe, he had cultivated the 
 suffrages of men of letters with as much 
 assiduity as those of ministers and princes. 
 To diffuse his reputation through every 
 country, he corresponded with all its dis- 
 tinguished characters, whether political or 
 literary ; and it was not seldom that he felt 
 the wearisomeness of the tax thus paid for 
 celebrity. A secretary qualified to relreve 
 him from this burthen v^ould be an absolute 
 treasure ; and where could he find a person 
 so qualified as Theodore ? 
 
 His extensive knowledge of languages 
 -would exactly fit him for such a situation, 
 while his taste and manners would make 
 him delightful as a domestic companion, 
 and his integrity would render him a secure 
 inmate. 
 
 Agreeably to the plan thus determined
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. I 85 
 
 on, the Count opened his intentions to Do- 
 frestom. 
 
 He expatiated upon the talents and qualities 
 of the orphan, and the injustice of confining 
 such a mind to the drudgery of merely me- 
 chanical labour. " Did the young man 
 possess only such talents, however astonish- 
 ing, as are given to amaze mankind, I 
 would not urge his departure from you ; 
 but his are talents for utility, and believe 
 me, good father. Providence never bestows 
 such qualities with the intention that they 
 should remain unemployed." 
 
 Dofrestom's aching heart, aching with 
 the remembrance of Heinreich, for the first 
 time felt the difference between what is 
 brilliant and what is solid 3 he sighed hea- 
 vily, without speaking. 
 
 Count Lauvenheilm continued to explain 
 the situation and emolument he meant to 
 offer Theodore, and to enumerate the ad- 
 vantages likely to result from such circum- 
 stances. " Surely, my good father," he 
 added, " in the very accident that has
 
 l86 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 brought hither, and detained here, a person 
 capable of thus honourably establishing your 
 favourite, you must perceive the hand of 
 Providence ! In your case, I should consider 
 these things as an audible declaration of the 
 heavenly will, and should obey it as such." 
 
 The Count paused, and observed by the 
 workings of Dofrestom's countenance, that 
 he had now touched the right string. 
 *' Interest," he thought, " is nothing to a 
 people that have no fastidious wants ; titled 
 society is nothing to men who think no man 
 superior to a free peasant ; but the fear of 
 being wanting in a duty, is the only lever 
 to move souls conscientiously religious.*' 
 
 Again he addressed Dofrestom : " I re- 
 spect you for your anxiety about the morals 
 of your Theodore ; but I trust you will 
 cease to feel any, when you shall know who 
 now makes himself responsible for their 
 preservation, — Count Lauvenheihn and 
 Usthamar.'* 
 
 Dofrestom bent his head to the brother- 
 in-law of their viceroy. " Your name, Sir,
 
 the: recluse of norway. 187 
 
 IS pledge enough ; I consent ; but it is a 
 hard tug at this old heart. Such a youth ! 
 the cheerer, the comforter, the blessing of 
 my house! yet for that very reason, I 
 ought to let him go ; it is now our time to 
 do something for him, and instead of griev- 
 ing, I hope Catherine and I shall bless God 
 for sending him such a friend. Well, I 
 pray that I may live to see Theodore a great 
 man, and a good man still !" 
 
 Count l^auvenheilm graciously shook the 
 old man's hand ; requesting him to learn 
 whether it would be agreeable to Theodore, 
 he went to attend upon his illustrious com- 
 panion. 
 
 He found him busily employed, and 
 violently amused j he was taking his last 
 lesson in the art of making Guldbrandal 
 wafers, a species of cake, in which Catherine 
 particularly excelled. 
 
 Amongst the objects of the Prince's am- 
 bition, the mystery of cookery held a high 
 rank; and having an admirable opportunity 
 of observing all the culinary operations of
 
 l88 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY, 
 
 the cottage, as he lay on his mattrass by 
 the stove, he bid fair to rival his own cooks, 
 when he should return to . 
 
 The distance between the rank of a baron 
 and a prince seemed so immeasurable to 
 his eyes, that in laying aside the one cha- 
 racter for the other, he forget that there 
 was any dignity in the lesser ; in the 
 humbleness of his assumed station, he 
 enjoyed a complete oblivion of every thing 
 princely, except only that most inveterate 
 of spoiled children's habits, the habit of 
 consulting nobody's pleasure or feelings 
 but their own. 
 
 Count Lauvenheilm scarcely knew how 
 to conceal his disdain at the employment of 
 his fellow-traveller. Was his own ambition 
 criminal, if such were the beings that sat 
 on thrones, and wielded the destfnies of 
 mankind ? Lauvenheilm chose to forget 
 that at that very period, the principal 
 thrones of Europe were filled by sovereigns 
 whose names will shine for ever in the page 
 of history.
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 1 89 
 
 In England, the brilliant reign of Anne 
 had succeeded to the glorious revolution 
 under William of Nassau ; in France, 
 Louis XIV. ; in Sweden, Charles XII. ; 
 and in Russia, Peter the Great ; displayed 
 all those qualities which command both 
 admiration and respect. 
 
 Lauvenheiim would not see, that with so 
 many obstacles to the knowledge of others 
 and of themselves, which their unenviable 
 elevation creates, princes are miracles when 
 great and good ; and worthy of pity, not 
 deserving of contempt, when they are less 
 estimable than their subjects. 
 
 Meanwhile, Dofrestom went in search of 
 Theodore, who was gone to the mill to take 
 an account of some timber then on the 
 point of being floated down the river. 
 
 He found him closely attending to the 
 business, though with a countenance that 
 seemed to say, '^ I wish I might take time 
 to be sad." The next day was that fixed 
 for the travellers* departure, and Theodore
 
 190 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 was to lose the most amiable of companions, 
 probably for ever. 
 
 Dofrestom waited till the numbering: and 
 registering of the planks was finished, then 
 leading him into an empty wood-loft, im- 
 parted the proposal of Count Lauvenheilm. 
 
 Theodore did not once interrupt him 
 during his long speech : he sat with his 
 eyes fixed on the ground, and so still, that 
 Dofrestom might have thought the subject 
 did not interest him, had it not been for the 
 sudden coldness of the hand that rested in 
 his, and the raised colour of his cheek. 
 Internal war spoke in this contrast of ice 
 and fire. 
 
 He was silent long after Dofrestom ceased 
 to speak. The old man kindly urged him to 
 reply, and to reply sincerely. " Well then," 
 he said, raising his eyes, full of his agitated 
 soul, " I will be sincere : I have always had 
 a strong desire to make my way in life by 
 some other path than the present ; and I 
 hope it is not arrogant in me to say, that I 
 feel Heaven has given me capacities for
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 19I 
 
 doing more service to others, and earning 
 more satisfaction for myself, than I can ob- 
 tain here. That feeling would make me 
 think it wrong to remain thus comparatively 
 idle,, were it not that your happiness, nay, 
 your will only, sanctifies every thing. If 
 you wish me to accept the Count's offer, 
 I wiii do it gladly ; but if you consent only, 
 I never can be justified to Heaven and my 
 own heart.'' 
 
 " I wish — indeed I wish it !" ex- 
 claimed Dofrestom, grasping his hand still 
 tighter, and looking at him with a mixture 
 of pleasure and grief. " I have thought so 
 often lately about the professor's selfishness, 
 that I begin to fear I have been selfish too : 
 so now, unless I accepted this noble offer 
 ior your advantage, I should never die in 
 peace. God knows, my chief reason, since 
 poor Heinreich's ill-conJuct, has been the 
 fear that the same bad hands might seize 
 upon you: but I was a fool to rhink so! 
 After eight months' absence, you came 
 back from Copenhagen better than before.
 
 192 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 And besides, at two-and-twenty, you may 
 guide yourself: he, poor boy, was but a 
 boy. And then, at such a house as Count 
 Lauvenheilm's, you will see nothing that is 
 not instructive. Yes, yes, you mi^st go." 
 
 " O my dear father !" exclaimed Theo- 
 dore, in great emotion, " you must decide 
 for me ; I feel no longer master of my 
 judgment. Count Lauvenheilm has charm- 
 ed my affection so much, that I dare not 
 believe myself right in yielding to your 
 wishes : and yet, much as he has charmed 
 me, what is that hasty enthusiasm to tho 
 steady, long-fixed affection I feel for you 
 and Aunt Catherine !" 
 
 " Dear boy ! kind boy !'* repeated the 
 old man, " I am sure it is so ; but we are 
 not fit associates for such an instructed mind 
 as yours. The Count is like yourself, 
 sensible and well-informed ; it is natural 
 you should like his conversation at least 
 better than others ; but for the real, sub- 
 stantial part of affection, 1 am sure we 
 have it still, and always shall have it."
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 193 
 
 Theodore's full heart spoke in the eager 
 kiss he gave the withered hand that held 
 his ; but his lips were silent. Dofrestom 
 resumed : 
 
 " You will, perhaps, be able to hear 
 something certain of Heinreich. O ! bless- 
 ed would be the hour of your departure, 
 if it were to be the means of restoring my 
 poor prodigal ! I would kill the fatted calf ; 
 I would make the voice of rejoicing be 
 heard through my house, and you, my son, 
 v/ould rejoice with me, nor repine, like the 
 brother in Scripture. 
 
 This pleasing image fortified the resolu- 
 tion of Dofrestom ; and he began to enu- 
 merate the many soothers and enliveners he 
 would have left, even after the loss of what 
 was dearest. Their excellent neighbours, 
 his affectionate sister, the attentive Eric, 
 the animating Magdalen, and, above all, 
 their pretty prattling child. In addition to 
 these, unbroken health must be numbered, 
 spirits that only flagged at times, and relief 
 from debt. 
 
 VOL. I. K
 
 194 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 *^ What then have I to complain of ?" 
 he asked j " I shall continue to enioy all 
 these good things, while 1 know you are 
 happy, and acquiring both honour and 
 profit. Well, I am determined to look 
 dull no more j so do you, my boy, smile 
 again." 
 
 Theodore did smile, though pensively ; 
 for, now the arrangement was made, his 
 heart sickened at the thought of leaving the 
 dear old couple to none but servants and 
 acquaintance : yet they wished it them- 
 selves ; and Providence did indeed appear 
 to will his entrance upon a busier scene. 
 
 One doubt harassed Theodore : was he, 
 or was he not to tell Count Lauvenheilm, 
 that his adopted father was the parent of 
 that Dofrestom who had carried off Ste- 
 phania Richeman ? 
 
 The Count, of course, stood in the same 
 relation to the high admiral as to the vice- 
 roy of Norway. Perhaps the knowledge 
 of Theodore's connection with a young man 
 whose last act at Copenhagen had been an 
 II
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 1 95 
 
 insult to his brother-in-law, might alter 
 Count Lauvenheilm's inclination in his 
 favour. 
 
 Yet, how to apologise for such a trans- 
 gression ! Heinreich was but the thief who 
 steals from another what that other has 
 stolen from some one else : in short, such 
 a woman as Stephania was common pro- 
 perty, to which no one could say he had a 
 right. Theodore justly concluded that it 
 was best to conclude the family of the high 
 admiral would be as ashamed to hear of the 
 transaction as was that of Dofrestom, and 
 that silence was, consequently, the most 
 delicate and prudent conduct he could adopt. 
 Never having told the unnecessary part of 
 Heinreich's fault, his rivalry with Count 
 Gulderiieu, it was needless to caution Do- 
 frestom on the subject. These reflections 
 were the result of his walk from the mill to 
 the cottage. His new patron stood on the 
 threshold. He extended his hand with a 
 gracious smile, " Peace or war, my young 
 friend ; mine, or not mine ?** 
 
 K 2
 
 ig6 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 Theodore answered by kissing that ex- 
 tended hand. In times of great emotion he 
 rarely trusted himself to speak ; and this 
 was one of the most agitating moments of 
 his life. 
 
 Count Lauvenheilm required only a 
 glance of Theodore's expressive eyes, to 
 see the extent of the influence he had gained. 
 Delicately careful of that modesty of soul, 
 which sought to hide even its fairest feel- 
 ings, he now directed his attention to Do- 
 frestom, by renewing his thanks for the 
 sacrifice of his adopted son's society. 
 
 " Do you still purpose setting off to- 
 morrow. Sir ?" asked Theodore. "My 
 companion has willed so," replied the Count, 
 *' and you guess that I have no voice in the 
 matter. I would, otherwise, offer to re- 
 main as much longer as might suit you." 
 
 " O no ! the sooner the better," cried 
 Dofrestom ; " we must have no time for 
 repentance on either side ; for I can tell 
 you, my lord, that, after all, I believe our 
 Theodore will be as sorry to part from us.
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 197 
 
 tvhen the parting comes, as we shall be to 
 lose him. No, no time for taking my mind 
 again." 
 
 The Count perfectly agreed with him ;, 
 and indeed it had been that consideratioa 
 which had made him defer the offer so 
 long. 
 
 " If you think it likely you shall repent,, 
 dearest father," cried Theodore, " for 
 heaven's sake let me stay. I scarcely know 
 what I wish. Either way, I have so much 
 to resign, and so much to be grateful for !" 
 
 The Count stood at the entrance of the 
 parlour, and looked at both as if waiting 
 for their decision. Dofrestom understood 
 his looks. " He goes with you, my lord ; 
 it is for my advantage as well as his, and 
 I shall be more reconciled to the thing the 
 longer I think of it. So now, Theodore, 
 go to your room and make your prepara- 
 tions." 
 
 His preparations were soon made. The 
 apparel he had worn at Copenhagen, (which 
 would have been ridiculous at Aardal,) and 
 ^ 3
 
 198 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 a favourite book or two, were all his travcF- 
 ling equipage. His short packing over, he 
 would not allow himself time to ruminate 
 on the only disagreeable part of the pro- 
 spect, absence from his venerable friends, 
 but rejoined them in their sitting room. 
 
 The nominal baron had just heard the 
 arrangement was settled, and was obliging 
 enough to say several complimentary things 
 on the occasion. He then proceeded to ask 
 a hundred questions about the road they 
 were to return by, and the places they were 
 to see, and the accommodation they might 
 expect ; to all of which Theodore gave a 
 patient hearing, and suitable answers. 
 
 All this time poor Catherine was seri- 
 ousl and sadly spreading the table, for the 
 last dinner her illustrious guests were to 
 partake at the cottage. Theodore was going, 
 and the whole business had been arranged 
 so suddenly, and $0 entirely without her 
 knowledge, that she saw it was needless to 
 make any opposition to the plan. 
 
 How continually, in retirement and in
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. , 1 99 
 
 the world, is the lesson of submission forced 
 upon woman ! To suiFer, and to be silent 
 under suffering, seems the great command 
 she has to obey ; while man is allowed to 
 wrestle with calamity, and to conquer or 
 die in the struggle. 
 
 Theodore marked the big tears that stood 
 ready to fall in the eyes of this respectable 
 foster-mother. His heart melted at the 
 sight ; and when she left the room, for some 
 household purpose, he followed her out 
 into the kitchen, gently pronouncing her 
 name. 
 
 She turned at his voice, and throwing 
 herself upon his neck, sobbed aloud. He 
 suffered her grief to vent itself, while he 
 soothingly repeated every argument calcu- 
 lated to reconcile her to the privation of his 
 society, joined to expressions of gratitude 
 for her fervent concern, 
 
 " Oh child," she cried, " I never 
 
 thought that I was to part with you too. It 
 
 was hard enough to lose Heinreich ; but 
 
 you, that I love now twenty times more than 
 
 K 4
 
 !200 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 ever I loved him ; — yes, if you don't comft 
 to good, I shall never outlive it. 
 
 Theodore gently adverted to the whole 
 cor.duct of his past life, and added some 
 enthusiastic words about Count Lauven- 
 heilm's high character. 
 
 " Ah ! God send he may prove what he 
 seems, and do all he promises ! but I have 
 never thought much of these hasty great 
 likings, and fine promises, ever since the 
 professor's will. These gentlemen only 
 like you because you are clever, and any 
 whim or offence may do a mischief to such 
 love as that. Love's good for nothing, and 
 won*t stand the push of a pin without it 
 grows out of knowing a person's good qua- 
 lities." 
 
 Homely as Catherine's language was, 
 there was much truth in her sentiments ; 
 and Theodore not only felt so at the moment 
 she spoke, but in after years he recalled this 
 conversation, and sighed over the prophetic 
 spirit it breathed. 
 
 Happily for both, the noise of a fish-kettle
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 20I 
 
 boiling fiercely, reminded Catherine of din- 
 ner. *' Well, child, I must not stand 
 crying here, but go about my duty." She 
 went as she spoke to catch ofF the hissing 
 kettle, and Theodore returned slowly to 
 the parlour. 
 
 Never meal was got through so dismally 
 under the roof of Dofrestom as this dinner. 
 Even the Baron's constitutional laugh failed 
 to animate it. Count Lauvenheilm respected 
 the feelings of its artless inhabitants too 
 much, to seek any other diversion for them 
 than what was afforded by details of past 
 events connected with their darling's in- 
 fancy. - 
 
 The nominal Baron yawned repeatedly, 
 till Magdalen came in to tell him a story, 
 and the chess-board was placed between 
 him and Dofrestom^ 
 
 The travellers were to set off at an early 
 hour the next day. Their carriage vvas on 
 the other side of the little river; and as 
 their servants had already taken their va- 
 rious portmanteaus to it, they had nothing 
 K 5
 
 202 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 further to do but convey themselves in a 
 boat over the stream. 
 
 Dofrcstom and Catherine had no witnesses 
 to their parting with Theodore ; and respect 
 for his future patron fortunately obliged 
 them to lay their feelings under salutary 
 restraint, so that their adieus were less pro- 
 longed than Count Lauvenheilm appre- 
 hended. 
 
 It was a sad and an awful moment for all ! 
 Neither Dofrestom nor his sister might live 
 to see their darling again ; and if they did, 
 would he be the same humble, kind, and 
 amiable Theodore he was now ? Theodore, 
 on his part, thought chiefly of the void he 
 would leave in their domestic comfort ; he 
 brooded over no fears for himself, or doubts 
 of his patron ; he regretted only the great 
 distance that would separate him from these 
 more than parents. But the hope of event- 
 ually benefiting them, by honorably obtain- 
 ing the means of clearing Heinreich's debts, 
 added to that of reaching Heinreich himself 
 through some sure channel, and perhaps
 
 THE RECLDSE OF NORWAY. 203 
 
 bringing him back to his duty, overcame 
 the bitterness of other thoughts. 
 
 Tears, blessings, and embraces were re- 
 peated, and renewed afresh, till Dofrestom 
 forcibly unlocked Catherine's hands, as they 
 were clasped round Theodore's neck, and 
 bade him leave them. Theodore uttered a 
 hasty " God bless you !" and drawing his 
 hat over his eyes, hastened to join his fel- 
 low-travellers, who were already gone to- 
 wards the carriage. 
 
 At the turning of the valley he looked 
 back, gazed on the dear cottage, and bid- 
 ding it a long, long farewell, hurried from 
 the scene. 
 
 K 6
 
 ( 204 ) 
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 
 nPHE road taken by the travellers was the 
 same that Theodore had pursued ac- 
 companied by the professor ; he was conse- 
 quently familiar with its natural curiosities. 
 His knowledge of minerals, plants, and 
 astronomy, served to amuse the Baron, (as 
 he still called himself,) while the observa- 
 tions suggested by his taste and sensibility, 
 interested the Count. 
 
 They performed their jou/ney to Chris- 
 tiana without any accident ; which with a 
 carnage, and in Norway, was little short 
 of a miracle. The Baron secretly attributed 
 this good fortune to his precaution of regu- 
 larly sticking a knife in the ground, at every 
 fresh stage ; a superstitious rite which he 
 had learned, amongst various other valuable 
 pieces of information, at Aardal. 
 
 In consequence of the disputes between
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 2 05^ 
 
 the court of Sweden and that of Denmark, 
 travellers could not proceed to Copenhagen 
 by the way of Helsingborg ; the Baron and 
 his party were therefore obliged to go from 
 Christiana in an armed vessel. They landed 
 at Elsineur without having encoifntered any 
 molestation from the enemy ; and a few 
 hours afterwards brought them to the ca- 
 pital. 
 
 At Copenhagen they separated. The 
 hereditary prince, (for he was no longer a 
 base beef-eater,) now resumed his dignity ; 
 and escorted by a troop of royal guards, 
 repaired to his magnificent abode at one of 
 the country palaces. Count Lauvenheilm 
 proceeded to his own villa, a few miles from 
 the city, where he had the mortification to 
 find servants only ; his daughters being at 
 Fredericsberg with the court. 
 
 Theodore entered his future home with 
 some curiosity to see and more devsire to 
 know the family of his protector. During 
 their journey, the Count had occasionally 
 conversed freely upon that subject j and the
 
 206 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 testimony of the Prince confirmed the truth 
 of what he said. 
 
 Indeed, on one point some other testi- 
 mony than his own was necessary : it was 
 the beauty of his eldest daughter. 
 
 From his description of that beauty, and 
 its astonishing effects, Theodore might have 
 imagined himself transported into that fabu- 
 lous court, where the Persian Princess 
 Rezia turned the whole population mad 
 with admiration of her charms. 
 
 The Count spoke of both his children with 
 great fondness, (for he had a daughter 
 three years younger by his second wife,) but 
 it was evident that either the merit or graces 
 of the fair wonder, gave her the first place 
 in his heart. 
 
 Beautiful as the dream of imagination 
 was indeed Countess Anastasia ; in addition 
 to which, a fortune quite as dazzling as her 
 person, heightened the flames it raised. 
 
 It had been the will of Christian V. to 
 give the offspring of his lovely mistress every 
 honour except legitimacy ; her two sons
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 207 
 
 filled the highest posts under the crown, 
 and her daughter had been given in mar- 
 riage to the most illustrious man of the court. 
 Lauvenheihn received with her a splendid 
 dowry, which was legally settled upon their 
 children. Anastasia, the only fruit of this 
 marriage, was therefore its sole heiress. 
 
 Already at the age of one-and-twent}^, 
 she had refused half the nobility of France 
 and Denmark. During her father's em- 
 bassy at the court of the first, shehad been 
 followed with an enthusiasm, and wor- 
 shipped with an idolatry, that was very 
 likely to make her imagine herself too costly 
 a gem to be appropriated by any individual. 
 Be that as it may, she was now in Denmark, 
 the star and goddess of the people ; still 
 walking over the prostrate necks of lovers j 
 still free, while to adore her seemed the 
 court religion, and he that fell short of such 
 adoration was treated as a heretic. 
 
 Count Lauvenheilm having dispatched a 
 courier to Fredericsberg, to inform his 
 daughters of his return, proceeded to settle
 
 203 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 the future accommodations of Theodore; 
 An agreeable suite of apartments was assign- 
 ed to him, with permission to alter their 
 arrangement at his pleasure, and to con- 
 sider them as entirely at his own command 
 as if they formed a detached residence. 
 
 The Count had already explained the 
 nature of the services he should require 
 from him ; and having done so, without 
 laying dojvn the law of settled times and 
 duties, he left their performance solely at 
 the discretion of him who was to execute 
 them. A noble library and museum were 
 open to him at all seasons ; and when not 
 engaged with them, the Count intimated his 
 wish that he should take his place in the 
 family circle, whatever were the rank or the 
 number of his visitors. 
 
 This munificence of patronage might be 
 called paying before hand ; but Count Lau- 
 venheilm read the character of his young 
 secretary, and knew that the more confi- 
 dence was placed in him, the nobler would 
 be his harvest of gratitude and service. 
 
 3
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 209^ 
 
 Theodore was highly pleased with his new 
 residence. The villa stood in the centre of 
 a park, on a beautiful slope, commanding 
 fine views of the Sound. On one side the 
 steep and rocky coast of Sweden, and on, 
 the other the woody undulations of Zealand, 
 presented the charms of contrast. Every 
 thing within the house spoke the rank, the 
 wealth, and the splendid taste of its pos- 
 sessor. Books and musical instruments 
 were seen in every apartment. Theodore 
 turned away from the latter with a shudder- 
 ing sensation. *• Oh ! shall I ever hear 
 music again with pleasure ?" Heinreich was 
 m his thoughts ; and the charming voice 
 and hand, that were again to unlock his 
 sensibility to that sweetest art, was yet im- 
 heard. 
 
 Upon the return of his messenger. Count 
 Lauvenheilm read the note he brought, and 
 gave it to his companion. " It is from my 
 youngest daughter," he said* Theodore 
 read as follows : 
 
 " We are all impatience to embrace you,.
 
 210 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 my dearest father, but cannot return home : 
 the Princess has a sort of masque going for- 
 ward, which is to be performed on Tuesday, 
 and we have parts in it. You will guess 
 how unwillingly your foolish Ellesif has 
 obeyed the royal command. Come to us, 
 dear Sir, and pray take us away as soon as 
 ever you can." 
 
 " You see, Guevara,^' said the Count, 
 " that I must immediately make you one of 
 my family, by treating you without any 
 ceremony. I cannot do otherwise than go 
 to Fredericsberg to-morrow, to pay my duty 
 to the Queen, and embrace my children ; 
 but I will return as soon as possible. Mean- 
 while receive who you will ; remember this 
 suite of apartments are your own house, and 
 there are servants ready to obey all your 
 orders." 
 
 Theodore thanked him. " I have very 
 few acquaintance," he replied, '' and they 
 are all literary men. With some of these 
 I should wish to renew my former intimacy. 
 There is one to whom I am greatly obliged ;
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 21 i 
 
 if you are absent to-morrow, my lord, I 
 will employ the morning in visiting him.'' 
 
 Count Lauvenheilm gave him carte blanche 
 for the day; and having partaken of some 
 refreshment, they separated for the night. 
 
 Early the next morning the Count mount- 
 ed his horse, and set off for the summer 
 residence of the court. Theodore, fond of 
 walking, and desirqus of enjoying the en- 
 chanting land and sea views around, pro- 
 ceeded on foot to Copenhagen. 
 
 Of course his object was to visit Mr- 
 Coperstad, who had lately obtained a place 
 under government of great trust, though 
 of little rank. Familiar with the town, 
 Theodore soon discovered the office of his 
 friend ; and scarcely having time for mutual 
 salutations, hastened to express his grati- 
 tude for the services that gentleman had 
 rendered him. 
 
 Mr. Coperstad's surprize could only be 
 equalled by his pleasure at the sight of 
 Theodore ; he was rejoiced to see him so 
 well, and to hear he was so fortunate.
 
 aia THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 *' Count Lauvenheilm's protection,'' he- 
 said, " is indeed a distinction : and as all 
 eyes are now turned upon him to fill one 
 of the first situations in the ministry, I make 
 no doubt hut you will rise to wealth and 
 honour through his means." 
 
 This remark, instead of obtaining an 
 answer from Theodore, threw him into ar 
 reverie. He was roused from it by a second 
 observation of Mr. Coperstad's :" but in that 
 short time, how many ideas had passed 
 through his mind ! Mr. Coperstad imagined 
 his present situation formed the boundary, 
 of Theodore's views ; Theodore on the 
 contrary, considered every event of his 
 life, and this also, but as a mean of reach- 
 ing another point. 
 
 Fortune and honour were incomplete 
 without a country and kindred : he had 
 brooded over that wish, till fancy had. 
 adorned it with so many charms, that 
 nothing but the experience of the reality, 
 could satisfy or undeceive him. Turning
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 2I3 
 
 to Mr. Coperstad he, hesitatingly, stated 
 what thoughts absorbed him. 
 
 Mr. Coperstad was his senior by fourteen 
 years ; time and experience had soberized 
 his feelings, without deadening them. He 
 considered the subject for a while, then 
 assured Theodore, that he believed his pre- 
 sent situation very friendly to the prosecu- 
 tion of an inquiry about his family. 
 
 ^ Doubtless you know," he added, 
 ** that the person who now almost governs 
 the court of Madrid is a Frenchwoman. 
 Count Lauvenheilm's last wife was French, 
 — of what family I know not, — but noble, 
 of course ; — when you have lived long 
 enough with the Count to be secure of your 
 ground, it will be well for you to enter 
 upon the subject some day with him ; and 
 if he or his wife's family have any corre- 
 spondence with Madame Ursini, or with the 
 other French persons at the Spanish court, 
 through their means some enquiries might 
 be made.'*
 
 214 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 Theodore admitted the probability of this. 
 *' If my father's family were noble/' he 
 said, " of course that would be the direct 
 method ; if they are not, it will be of no 
 use. Perhaps it is foolish in me to suppose 
 my parents were persons beyond the com- 
 mon rank of life. The uncertainty of what 
 I am is the reason of this folly : when we 
 are left to imagine ourselves any thing, I 
 suppose it is natural to imagine ourselves 
 the best thing we can/' 
 
 '' I would advise you not to be hasty, 
 however," observed Mr. Coperstad : " wait 
 till matters are more settled in Spain. The 
 question draws to a close between Charles 
 and Philip, and then will be your time to 
 speak of your situation to Count Lauven- 
 heilm : at the present junction it would be 
 unwise in you, and perhaps unsafe for him, 
 to interfere. We, in common with the 
 Maritime Powers, are hostile to the Bour- 
 bon cause in Spain ; and unless Philip were 
 formally acknowledged by Denmark and 
 her allies, I fear a man of Count Lauven-
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 215 
 
 heilm's political importance could not, with 
 propriety, enter into any communication 
 with the French residents at Madrid." 
 
 Theodore again subscribed to the justice 
 of his friend's remarks. " Much as he 
 might be inclined to serve you,*' resumed 
 the latter, " I do not think Count Lauven- 
 heilm could promote in any way a cor- 
 respondence with Spain at this moment. It 
 is well known that, without holding any 
 great ostensible situation, the Count enjoys 
 the full confidence of His Majesty : you 
 know, of course, that the King is now in 
 Berlin. We are told he is gone to 
 stand godfather for the Prince Royal's 
 child, but we are apt to fancy that there 
 are more weighty inducements for his jour- 
 ney : be that as it may, your patron cannot 
 act with too much circumspection during 
 the King's absence. Therefore you must 
 not tempt him to take any steps that might 
 cause him to be suspected of an inclination 
 towards France." 
 
 Again Theodore thanked his friend for
 
 2l6 THE RECLUSE OF NOHWAY. 
 
 his advice, and changing the subject, spoke^ 
 of Heinreich. 
 
 Mr. Coperstad's pursuits were of a na- 
 ture to carry him into very different society 
 from that in which the history of theatres 
 excited a Hvely interest, but he promised 
 to make it his business to learn whether 
 Heinreich were yet at Dresden, and if he 
 were, to find out some person going thither 
 who would undertake the delivery of a 
 letter from Theodore. 
 
 Nothing could make Theodore forget 
 that this misguided young man was the 
 chief object of future hope and fear to Do- 
 frestom ; and that he himself had accepted 
 the situation offered by Count Lauvenheilm, 
 principally with the view of being enabled 
 by it, to assist not only the father but the 
 son. 
 
 After discussing these most interesting 
 topics, the friends conversed upon general 
 subjects ; and many a former day of intel- 
 lectual enjoyment, passed together in the 
 circle at the professor's, was renewed by
 
 THE RECLITSE OF NORWAY. 217 
 
 discourse. Some hours were thus spent, 
 after which Theodore took leave of Mr* 
 Coperstad, and returned home. 
 
 He seated himself in the hbrary, with in- 
 tention to read, but having taken his place 
 near a low glass door fronting the sea, his 
 attention was insensibly called off, by the 
 gliding sails, and the beautiful shores of 
 the Sound. 
 
 The villas of the nobility profusely scat- 
 tered along its rising ground, added mag* 
 nificence to the charms of nature. ,The 
 scenery of groves and hills so different from 
 that of Norway, recalled it by that very 
 contrast. From contemplating present 
 images, his mind gradually flowed back to 
 what were past : the reverse of his situation 
 now, with what it had been so lately, 
 forcibly struck him : not with the won- 
 der and tumultuous joy of rusticity; it 
 seemed to him as if he were restored to 
 his original state, rather than entered upon 
 a new one. 
 
 VOL. I. L
 
 ;2lS THE RLCL-USE OF KORWAY. 
 
 The ease and elegance by which he was 
 surrounded, the feeling of honourable ex- 
 ertion, of consideration, of intiniate fellow- 
 ship with a character like Count Lauven- 
 heilm's, all this appeared to him his natural 
 atmosphere. Yet not the less fondly did he 
 look back to that happy valley where he 
 had first learned to think and to feel : with 
 what respect and love did he dwell on the 
 recollection of Dofrestom and of Catherine ! 
 He almost chid himself for finding any equi- 
 valent for their tried affection, in the par- 
 tiality and society of a new protector. 
 
 As his eyes carelessly wandered over the 
 rich decorations of the room he sat in, he 
 exclaimed aloud, " Yes, dear and respect- 
 able friends, it is not for such poor induce- 
 ments as these that I leave your humble 
 cottage! it is to be something, — to do 
 something in life ; — it is in the chimerical 
 hope (perhaps) of one day reaching the 
 home of my poor ship-wrecked parents ; of 
 finding there some near relative, some por- 
 tion of themselves."
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 219 
 
 Theodore's mental address was inter- 
 rupted by the appearance of a carriage ad- 
 vancing rapidly ; it drew up to the front 
 entrance, and Count Lauvenheilm alighted 
 from it. Immediately after setting hint 
 down, the carriage drove away. 
 
 Through a side window, Theodore had 
 seen only a hand and arm of exquisite 
 beauty- held out to the Count -, and heard a 
 voice of thrilling sweetness. Such a voice ! 
 Surely it must belong to a soul as finely 
 attuned ! He had not recovered from the 
 pleasing emotion it caused, when the Count 
 entered. 
 
 " You are at home, Guevara, and I did 
 not know it ! I wanted to let you see my 
 daughter. She and Eilesif brought me 
 from Fredericsberg, and have this moment 
 driven from the door." 
 
 Theodore's answer was a bow and a 
 smile. "You smile,'* observed the Count, 
 " I suppose at my fatherly folly, as you 
 think it; but when you see Anastasia, I 
 believe you will confess that it is a privilege 
 It, 2
 
 4220 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 to belong to her : Indeed both my girls are 
 charming ; Ellesif would be the beauty of 
 any family except mine. But what did you 
 "Smile at ?" 
 
 '' At your Lordship's habit of calling 
 Countess Anastasia your daughter, and 
 speaking of Countess Ellesif only by name, 
 as if she too Vv^ere not your daughter." 
 
 " Did I do so ? Am I in the habit of 
 doing so ?" asked the Count, with an 
 amiable glow of contrition ; " I thank you 
 for the remark, Guevara — you shall see 
 that T will profit by it. Ellesif is as dear to 
 me as ray life, for I loved her mother ten* 
 derly ; but Anastasia gratifies my pride ; 
 and we are such wretched creatures, Gue- 
 vara, that our very affections are height* 
 €ned or depressed by the opinion of 
 others." 
 
 *' Nay, Sir !" exclaimed Theodore, with 
 incredulous astonishment. 
 
 *' I perceive that weakness is yet un- 
 known to you,*' replied the Count, " but 
 when you have lived some time in what is
 
 THE- RirCLUSE OF NORWAY. 22 r 
 
 called the v/orld, you will learn the in- 
 fluence of society : lik€ all other influences^, 
 it is sometimes useful^ sometimes other- 
 wise ; and pernicious certainly in the case I 
 have stated.''* 
 
 *' I cannot understand such influence/* 
 said Theodore ; '^ it seems to me that our 
 regard for persons must be as independent 
 of other men's notions, as our principles 
 of conduct are." 
 
 " I fear not," returned the Count 5 
 " intercourse with the world gradually 
 mixes alloy with our purest gold. You will 
 admit that we love individuals in propor- 
 tion to the number of pleasurable em.otions 
 we derive from them: well then, if our 
 habits ha/e taught us to find pleasure in 
 gratified vanity, we must surely love that 
 wife or daughter most, whose charms at- 
 tract to us the greatest notice. I confess, 
 this is a weakness, and I do not defend, I 
 simply explain it." 
 
 " I remember that, during our journey a-. 
 your Lordship told me I had many strange 
 L 3
 
 222 THE RECLUSE 01 NORWAY. 
 
 notioHs to unlearn : I presume this is oner 
 of them, *' said Theodore ; " but indeed 
 I must change my nature ere 1 can imagine 
 the possibility of loving any one a whit less, 
 because another person does so.'^ 
 
 " Well, Guevara, when you have seen 
 my daughter — there you smile again ! — 
 well then, my eldest daughter, when you 
 have seen her followed by the gaze and 
 murmured admiration of multitudes, I am 
 sure jou will comprehend something of a 
 father's exultation. You have almost 
 piqued me,,'* he added, playfully, " into 
 the silliness of shewing her off ; so if you 
 dare commit yourself to me on Tuesday 
 evenings I will make interest to get you 
 admitted to this masque at Fredericsberg, 
 then you will see her in all the splendour 
 of dress and animation." 
 
 Theodore expressed his thanks and his 
 eagerness to take advantage of the offered 
 kindness, but inquired how it was to take 
 effect from the circumstances of his situa- 
 tion : Count Lauvenheilm explained. Part
 
 THE RECLUSE -OF NORWAY. 223 
 
 of the grand hall at Fredericsberg was 
 lilted up for a theatre, and the other part 
 left for the reception of the court ; but a 
 gallery at one end was set apart for a few 
 of those young persons who had not yet 
 been presented ; and amongst them, the 
 Count knew he could place his protege. 
 
 " You will see your old acquaintance 
 the hereditary prince,'^ observed he, " but 
 not amongst the performers of course. It 
 is a pity he staid so long in Norway, other- 
 wise, I think, the management of the little 
 drama,'^ — he was about to add, " would 
 have exactly matched his capacity,'' when 
 he broke off abruptly. Theodore would 
 not shew him, even by a smile, that he 
 had guessed the conclusion ; he was in the 
 midst of some other remark, when the 
 arrival of company terminated their con- 
 versation. 
 
 A succession of visitors to welcome 
 Count Lauvenheilm home, and to ask the 
 particulars of his tour, crowded the re- 
 maining hours of the day. Theodore saw 
 L 4
 
 2^4 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 a noble mob of stars, and orders, and 
 military decorations ; and stood silently 
 speculating on the different modifications 
 of human character, in different classes of 
 society. 
 
 All these men held situations of high 
 dignity or difficulty ; t hey v/ere of course 
 men of superior endowments : but how 
 different were they from the eccentric, 
 forcible personages he used to see at the 
 professor's. Here, every person seemed 
 only desirous of resembling others j and 
 what they said of original and profound, 
 was said either so carelessly or so smoothly, 
 that it might easily pass unobserved : there, 
 each individual sought to start from the 
 canvass in colours peculiar to himself; and 
 conscious that all his value consisted in his 
 mind, laboured to develope the strength or 
 graces of that, without intermission. 
 
 Theodore was interested in this observa- 
 tion of character, and sensibly gratified by 
 the generous care of his patron to bring 
 him into notice. Indeed the more he sav/
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 22'J 
 
 of Count Lauvenheilm, the more it increas- 
 ed his enthusiasm. If that charming cha- 
 racter had caught the contagion of artificial 
 life, it rendered him more interesting ; for 
 how candidly did he avow error, and how. 
 amiably did he seek to correct himself! 
 
 Theodore recalled with peculiar pleasure: 
 that glow of self-accusation and shame with 
 which the Count had replied to his remark 
 about his favourite daughter ! " Surely>'^ 
 he thought, as the professor rose to recol- 
 lection, " such a heart as the Count's will 
 never fail me!" 
 
 From this day, till the gay Tuesday, 
 Count Lauvenheilm occasionally employed 
 his young secretary, or took him about to 
 the most note-v»^orthy places in Copenhagen 
 and its environs. He gave a dinner, and 
 was generally careful to convince his com- 
 pany, that he considered his young pro- 
 tege with as much respect as regard. 
 
 Happily for the Count's liberal wishes, 
 there was in the mianners and look of Theo- 
 dore a modest dignity which repressed 
 ^ 5
 
 226 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 insolence, \A'hIle it invited kindness : never 
 forgetting his own relative situation, he did 
 not oblige others to remember it for him 5 
 but respecting himself while he steadily 
 attended to every usage instituted to evince 
 respect to others, he avoided the appear- 
 ance of servile attention to any. 
 
 His natural seriousness and gentleness, 
 kept him from those inequalities of manner 
 which are the great evil of vivacity. That 
 agreeable quality can rarely be indulged in 
 the presence of a superior ; and when we 
 see it strongly checked, we fancy the per- 
 son who thus checks it, is under humiliat- 
 ing restraint. 
 
 Theodore never reminded his friends, by 
 any change of manner, that he v^as inferior 
 to ihe nobler parts of their society : being 
 familiar with few, he was peculiarly awed 
 by none. It was only in the bosom of real 
 friendship that he unlocked his heart and 
 his mind, that he threw open the very gates 
 of his soul, and poured forth its treasures 
 with prodigal liberality.
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 227 
 
 rhis character was admirably adapted to 
 his present situation ; and Count Lauven- 
 heilm well knew how to place its noblest 
 parts in the strongest light ; its deficiences 
 in the shade. 
 
 At length the expected Tuesday arrived. 
 The Count conveyed his secretary to Fre- 
 dericsberg ; and having secured him a 
 place amongst some of his own acquaint- 
 ance, left him to join the mgre splendid 
 party in the saloon below. 
 
 Theodore coiild not fail to admire the 
 taste and magnificence of the apartment : 
 he was pleased with the agreeable couj) d'ce/I 
 formed by the spectators : the^ rows of 
 ladies gaily attired, and blooming with real 
 or artificial beauty, resembled a parterre of 
 flowers ; a whimsical fancy might, not un- 
 aptly, have compared the gentlemen to 
 hovering butterflies. 
 
 Some seats distinguished from the rest, 
 
 were left for the royal party : in a few 
 
 minutes they entered. The party consisted 
 
 of the Queen and the Princess, with the 
 
 L 6
 
 228 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 King's brothers, and the hereditary Prince 
 of . 
 
 As the last illustrious personage, in the 
 paraphernalia of gala attire, was handing 
 his bride elect to her chair, so different a 
 picture instantaneously arose before Theo- 
 dore, that with difficulty he refrained from 
 laughter. His Highness, taking a lesson in 
 cooking, crossed his imagination, making 
 the present pomp appear mockery, and 
 his real station that in which Theodore had 
 first become familiar with him. 
 
 How powerful are first impressions ! and 
 how dangerous it -is for the man, whom 
 fortune has placed on the highest pinnacle 
 of elevated society, ever to descend from 
 it! 
 
 After some music, so finely performed 
 that Theodore nearly forgot to hate it, the 
 green and gold curtain was drawn aside, 
 and a scene of enchantment disclosed. 
 
 All that art could invent and splendour 
 supply, to represent the interior of a magic 
 palace, were here collected and arranged, 
 6
 
 THZ RECLUSE OF NORV/AY. 229- 
 
 The tissues of India, the paintings of Italy, 
 the statues of Greece, crowded the stage. 
 Under a canopy, and upon a couch strewed 
 with precious stones, lay a sleeping figure, 
 covered with a transparent veil. At the 
 sound of a flute breathed by some unseen 
 performer, the lady started half lip, and 
 threw aside her veil. At one glance Theo- 
 dore knew her to be Countess Anastasia. 
 
 " Can any thing earthly be so beauti- 
 ful ?" was his audible acclamation. For- 
 tunately his low accents were lost In the 
 general tumult of admiration. Colouring 
 with shame, he looked again at the bright 
 wonder. What exquisite beauty ! The 
 forms of those miracles of art, by which 
 she was surrounded, were rivalled by the 
 perfection of hers ; and the brightness of 
 the gems that sparkled on her robes were 
 obliterated by the more brilliant colours of 
 her complexion. Her eyes ! — how could 
 his bear their abundant light ? She lifted, 
 one polished arm to throw back her veil. 
 Theodore thought he knew that snowy arm.
 
 2;i,0 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 again ; but as her performance was limited 
 to action, she did not speak, and his ear 
 vainly thirsted for that thrilling voice which 
 had charmed him at the door of the villa. 
 
 A slighted genius, by whose spells she 
 was supposed to be bound, now appeared, 
 and a scene of animated intreaty and repulse 
 succeeded. The beautiful Anastasia moved 
 with the dignity, but not the arrogance of 
 a conscious beauty : every movement dis- 
 played some new charms : — if she smiled, 
 that smile discovered teeth glittering from 
 whiteness, and dimples vanishing like fairy 
 visions : if she frowned, the action only 
 directed attention to the exquisite arch of 
 her penciled eye-brows. Whatever she 
 did, was graceful, because every line of 
 her person was beauty. 
 
 Theodore sat in motionless and speech- 
 less admiration. , It was a goddess — a 
 creature of poetic fancy — a celestial being, 
 that he saw, — it was a something to stand 
 and gaze at for life I No longer did he 
 wonder at the enthusiasm of her father, 
 
 5
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 23 1 
 
 though he felt no present sympathy with 
 the mukitude of her lovers. 
 
 " Yet if her soul be hke her body ! if 
 it be half as perfect ! — and that voice 
 too." — -Theodore's eye, at that moment, 
 caught a glance from the eye of Count 
 Lauvenheilm below : the expression that ' 
 followed on the face of each, proved that 
 the one had watched, and the other ac- 
 knowledged his admiration. 
 
 Meanwhile, the little ballet proceeded. 
 The fable was ingeniously imagined, and 
 charmingly developed by a mixture of 
 dialogue, song, dance, and action. Lost 
 in wonder at the figure of. Anastasia, 
 Theodore understood nothing of the piece ; 
 his eye followed her with admiring atten- 
 tion, through every action, till she retired 
 suddenly, and a new scene commenced. 
 
 A region of grove and glade was repre- 
 sented, animated by a crowd of pastoral 
 figures, adorned with flowers and ribbands. 
 Theodore's heart sprang to the scene : his 
 first pleasures, his first affections, were
 
 2T,2 THE IlECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 associated with rural objects, and the match- 
 less Anastasia, with her pomp of gold, 
 gems, and beauty, v;as for the instant for- 
 gotten. 
 
 As he bent forward to look at the charm- 
 ing landscape, the pastoral groupe divided, 
 and a young shepherdess appeared, bash- 
 fully advancing alone. Her Arcadian 
 beauty had been left to itself : a crook 
 twisted with flowers, and a garland of pinks 
 mixed with her soft black hair, were her 
 only ornaments. A skirt and boddice of 
 spotless lawn, " laced from the full bosom to 
 the slender v/aist," shewed the fine undula- 
 tion of a figure ,v»'here youth's loveliest 
 forms yet wore their first roundness. She 
 raised her starry eyes, and timidly directing 
 them round, a glow of confusion heightened 
 their beauty, by deepening the celestial red 
 of her cheeks and lips. She essayed to 
 speak, but the sounds died ere half formed : 
 the vain attempt only called forth a deeper 
 blush. 
 
 Something more than beauty now moved.
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 233 
 
 the whole soul of Theodore. That blush^ 
 those lovely downcast eyes, and that youth- 
 ful shape, raised an emotion, which the 
 plenitude and splendour of Anastasla's 
 charms had failed to excite. He hung 
 upon the faltering steps of the bashful shep- 
 herdess, with an interest that he had never 
 felt before. As soft and lovely as the 
 flowers she wore, who could this fair crea- 
 ture be ! 
 
 She spoke^-and with a thrill of joy, Theo- 
 dore discovered her to be the youngest 
 daughter of Count Lauvenheilm. That 
 voice was the voice he had attributed to 
 her peerless sister. 
 
 The delight with w^hich he now contem- 
 plated her, was quickly' changed into pain; 
 for as she proceeded in her speech, her 
 memory lost itself in increasing confusion : 
 blushes succeeded to blushes ; and her 
 heart throbbed visibly through her slight 
 boddice. Hesitating, faltering, trembling, 
 she looked towards her father, with an air
 
 234 THE .RECLUSE OF NOinVAY. 
 
 of distress, then suddenly stopping, and 
 averting her face, burst intp tears. 
 
 The whole audience rose from their seats, 
 at this painful sight. Count Lauvenheilm, 
 uttering a hasty word to the Queen, as if 
 begging permission to go to his daughter, 
 jumped upon the stage, and throwing one 
 arm round Ellesif, carried her away. 
 
 A mixed murmur of censure and of 
 pity followed their departure : some mi- 
 nutes elapsed, during which the ballet was 
 suspended; but on Count Lauvenheilm's 
 return to the company, with an apology for 
 his daughter's timidity, and a petition for 
 leave to resign her post, the Queen gra- 
 ciously granted the request ; and some other 
 lady taking the character, the piece pro- 
 ceeded. 
 
 Again Countess Anastasia appeared, and 
 again Theodore acknowledged that " never 
 mortal mixture of earth's mould" was so 
 divinely perfect. But his thoughts no lon- 
 ger followed his eyes ; they were with the 
 modest weeping Eilisif, and as he looked
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. IT^^ 
 
 towards Count Lauvenheilm, he could per- 
 ceive, by the seriousness of his aspects that 
 his thoughts also were with hen 
 
 When the curtain dropt, and the depar- 
 ture of the royal' party released the Count, 
 he hastened to meet Theodore. " I am 
 so distressed for my poor foolish EUisif,,^* 
 he said, " she will remember this uncom- 
 fortable incident long after every body else 
 has forgotten it. I must stay and support 
 her through the supper, so you will have 
 the goodness to return without me. I be- 
 lieve I shall be able to bring my daughters 
 b^ck ; I commission you, therefore, to tell 
 the servants so, that they may have their 
 rooms ready." Without staying for reply, 
 the Count beckoned an attendant to call 
 his carriage for Theodore, then hastened to 
 join the court. 
 
 Theodore's solitary drive seemed accom- 
 plished in a moment : so agreeable had 
 been his reveries, that he was unconscious 
 of the time they occupied. Yet, what did 
 these reveries consist of ? Little more than
 
 22,6 T^IE RECLUkE OF NOllWAY. 
 
 a repetition cf the scenes he had just wit- 
 nessed, and attempts to recollect all that 
 Count Lauvenheilm had formerly spoken 
 of his daughters. 
 
 A vague pleasure, a sensation that he 
 neither analyzed nor accounted for, was 
 diffused through the whole of his ideas and 
 feelings : he got out of the carriage, still 
 entranced in the recent past, and had al- 
 ready gone half way towards his own cham- 
 ber, before he recollected to repeat Count 
 Lauvenheilm's order. 
 
 After giving the servants their instruc- 
 tions, he retired to bed, where never before 
 had dreams so sweet visited his sleeping 
 soul. 
 
 At breakfast, Theodore saw no one but 
 the- Count and a French marquise, who 
 resided in the house as a sort of chaperone 
 for the young ladies. He was told that 
 both the Countesses were too much fa- 
 tigued W'ith the exhibition of the preceding 
 night, to rise so early ; and so much was 
 he amused by the indcfaiigabie chat of
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 237 
 
 Madame Sauveur, and so interested by the 
 discourse of his patron, that he scarcely 
 regretted the absence of the fair sisters. 
 
 Count Lauvenheilm talked over the en- 
 tertainment of the nighf before with his 
 usual play of wit ; but when he spoke of 
 his daughter's unlucky desertion of me- 
 mory, his gaiety left him, and he lamented 
 the accident with a serioasuess that sur- 
 prized Theodore. 
 
 V/hat could be so natural, he said, as 
 this perturbation and confusion ; nay, what 
 could be so amiably becoming as the ti- 
 midity it proved ? What then was there 
 to regret beyond the pain it had caused 
 herself ? 
 
 " The ridicule it will excite," observed 
 the Count, " that is one of the world's 
 weapons, whose existence of course you 
 know, but of the power of which I conclude 
 you are ignorant.'* 
 
 " I can assure your lordship," replied 
 Theodore, " it would never do more than 
 entertain me, if unfairly levelled at myself;
 
 238 THE PtECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 but if levelled at Countess Ellisif, — at a 
 daughter of yours, my lord, I fear it would 
 provoke me." 
 
 " That heart of yours is full of sound 
 philosophy," observed the Count ; " I wish 
 to God you may be able to preserve it, 
 when you have lived as long in the world 
 as I have done. So you pardon me for 
 talking so much of Anastasia ! Pray how 
 did you feel when you first saw her ?" 
 
 " I can scarcely describe what I felt," 
 replied Theodone ; " it was something like 
 my emotion the first time I saw the sun 
 rise at sea — astonishment, rapture, almost 
 awe." 
 
 Count Lauvenheilm laughed. *' Vastly 
 well described after all, Guevara : and what 
 did you think of Ellesif ? she is handsome 
 also i" 
 
 " She seems very amiable.'* 
 
 " Why that he-sitation ?" asked the 
 Count, sportively, " and you lay such a 
 stress upon very amiable, that I fear you see 
 HO beauty in her. Perhaps, I think her
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 239 
 
 prettier than she is, because she resembles 
 her mother. However, she i?, as you say, 
 very amiable." 
 
 The Count rose as he spoke, and request- 
 ing Theodore to permit him to go with him 
 to his apartments, they left the room toge- 
 ther. " Now we speak of business/' said 
 he, as they entered Theodore's little study. 
 Giving him a -parcel of letters, he proceeded 
 to explain the matter, and the stile of the 
 various answers they required. Many of 
 their subjects were solely matters of general 
 interest ; but a few were of a more private 
 nature, and some were from persons in the 
 suite of the King at Berlin. One letter the 
 Count took from the bundle, saying, he must 
 answer that himself: it was from the Kino-. 
 His Majesty had distinguished him by the 
 command of sending information of all that 
 passed at court ; and Count Lauvenheilm 
 was so perfect in the agreeable art of em- 
 bellishing trifles, and softening faults, that 
 Frederick could not have made a happier 
 choice.
 
 240 THE rUX'LUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 State business required. the Ccimt's at- 
 tendance at the council. Theodore evi- 
 dently saw that much serious mritter occupied 
 his n:ind. " I am now going to town," 
 said the Count, " you v^iil not see me 
 again till dinner, and if I am detained be- 
 yond that hour, I must get Madame Sauveur 
 to present you to my daughters. By the 
 way, I have never asked you if you are out 
 of money. You will find a thousand 
 wants here, that^you had not in Norway ; 
 therefore, pray let me anticipate our arrange- 
 ment for the year." 
 
 He put a purse into Theodore's hand as 
 he spoke, and Vv'as gliding away, when the 
 tremor of the hand that detained his, and 
 the amiable confusion of Theodore's looks, 
 stayed his departure. 
 
 '' Why that painful glow^ my dear Gue- 
 vara ?'* he asked. " I hope you have too 
 much regard for me, to consider this in any " 
 other way than you would if it were done 
 by the good old man at Aardal." 
 
 There are some fortunate persons so
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 24I 
 
 formed to inspire love, that the very friend- 
 ships they excite, partakes of that rapturous 
 sentiment : Count Lauvenheilm was thus 
 happily endowed. At the expression of 
 " My dear Guevara," now used by him 
 for the first time, Theodore's agitated looks 
 shewed that his impulse was to throw him- 
 self at the Count's feet : but ever in the 
 habit of silencing the expression of his sen- 
 sibility, he checked himself, and faultered 
 out a few words of thanks and reluctance. 
 
 " If you knew the comfort you are to 
 me," said the Count, " the assistance that 
 I foresee I shall derive from your admira- 
 ble talents and industry, you would find the 
 obligation is all on my side. Surely, you 
 like me well enough to let me do all I caa 
 to prove this !" 
 
 " Oh, my Lord," replied Theodore, 
 >* could you see my heart, you would in 
 'your turn leave me the delight of paying you 
 voluntary service. What would be my 
 joy if I might devote myself to you, with 
 the consciousness of doing it freely ?" 
 
 VOL. I. M
 
 24:2 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 " And do you not do it freely, my dear 
 Guevara ?" asked the Count, with redou- 
 bled kindness ; " I know you do. Come, 
 come, this fastidious delicacy must be got 
 rid of. Social life is a chain of obligations ; 
 we are all obliged one way or another : — 
 I to my king, that I may serve you j — you 
 to me, that you may serve somebody 
 else.'' 
 
 *' Indeed, you are right, my Lord," an- 
 swered Theodore ; (and respect only kept 
 him from using the epithet the Count had 
 applied to him.) " I should be tempted still 
 to struggle against your goodness, were it 
 not for another's sake." 
 
 " That other is not some pretty girl at 
 Aardal, I hope," said the Count, rather 
 gaily. 
 
 This was one of those rare moments in 
 which the fullness of Theodore's heart burst 
 its flood-gates : he could not resist the op- 
 portunity of avowing his connection with 
 Heinreich Dofrestom ; and he did so, with- 
 out mentioning the High Admiral.
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 243 
 
 Count Lauvenheilm listened to the hur- 
 ried detail, with the calm attention of one 
 who knows himself in possession of the 
 means to relieve the distress he listens to. 
 Theodore left every thing untold that could 
 confer honour upon himself ; but the Count 
 had penetration to discover that something 
 of that sort was left untold. He was 
 touched by the conduct of Theodore: it 
 was evident the young man had staid in ob- 
 scurity while he believed it the surest way 
 of aiding Dofrestom in his attempt to dis- 
 charge the debts of his prodigal j and had 
 left it when a quicker path to the same end 
 was opened before him. 
 
 ** Now we understand each other com- 
 pletely,'* said the Count, " let us come to 
 an amicable compromise. I will let you 
 have your way, if you will let me have 
 mme : this party- wall of salary and service 
 shall be thrown down ; but upon these con- 
 ditions, — I take upon me to cancel this un- 
 fortunate young man's debts — not a word 
 of opposition — and you shall nevejr hear 
 M 2
 
 244 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 another sentence from me on the subject of 
 income. The people who serve me with 
 those fifty thousand trifles one wants every 
 day for covering, convenience, &c. shall 
 have my orders to receive yours j and all 
 that you will then be forced to do with that 
 horrible monster Money ^ will be to keep the 
 purse I have just given you for accidental 
 expences. Now from this moment the sub- 
 ject is ended between us." 
 
 " O, my Lord !'* exclaimed Theodore, 
 ** how am I to repress the gratitude, affec- 
 tion, enthusiasm, which respect feebly 
 opposes the expression of so many feel- 
 ings." 
 
 *^ Affection includes every thing that I 
 want, Guevara," said the Count. " You 
 must have the goodness to give me a me- 
 morandum of the young man's creditors, 
 and to-morrow you may write and tell his 
 father they are all silenced." 
 
 *' You were born to be a sovereign, my 
 Lord," exclaimed Theodore. A look of 
 transport lightened from the face of the
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 245 
 
 Count : Theodore had touched the master- 
 spring of his soul. " Be those words pro- 
 phetic !" he almost replied ; but, abruptly 
 checking himself, he squeezed his protege's 
 hand with a force that surprised while it 
 flattered him. 
 
 Lauvenheilm recovered from his strong 
 emotion with a winning smile. " You for- 
 get," he said, " that I am only paying my 
 own debts and those of the prince^ for two 
 weeks of lavish hospitality and unwearied at- 
 tention. Although that good man at Aardal 
 refused accepting any equivalent when we 
 left him, I came away determined to find 
 out some mode of obliging him in return." 
 
 The Count had not, however, quitted 
 Aardal without liberally rewarding the small 
 houshold of Dofrestom ; and the Prince, at 
 his suggestion, had left in his apartment a 
 small purse of gold ducats, addressed to 
 Catherine. 
 
 Theodore was already provided with the 
 list of Heinreich's creditors: Dofrestom's 
 pains had much diminished the magnitude
 
 246 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 
 
 of their claims ; and though the sum total 
 was really great, to a man of Count Lau- 
 venheilm's fortune it seemed a trifle. Hav- 
 ing obtained the list, he bade Theodore 
 farewell for the morning. Neither of them 
 had once mentioned the Admiral or Ste- 
 phanie : by the improper person with whom 
 Heinreich had eloped, the Count under- 
 stood who was meant ; and he clearly saw, 
 by Theodore's fluctuating colour while he 
 spcke of that person, that he knew the 
 worthless protector had been his brother- 
 in-law. 
 
 Theodore was no sooner left alone, than 
 he hastened to communicate to his beloved 
 friends at Aardal, not only the particulars 
 of his present residence, but the details of 
 this interesting morning ; adding to such 
 joyful communication the assurance that he 
 would write the same to Heinreich, and 
 make it his business to get the letter con- 
 veyed by some one that would deliver h 
 himself. 
 
 " Perhaps (he thought) were poor Hein-
 
 THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY. 247 
 
 reich conscious that no claims exist against 
 against him, he might return. Surely it is 
 impossible for him to continue long attached 
 to so depraved a woman : the recollection 
 of his dear old father must pierce him with 
 remorse." 
 
 Having relieved his heart of its delightful 
 weight of gratitude, by eloquently dwelling 
 on the character of him who had thus loaded 
 it with benefits, he turned, full of that 
 sweet serenity which belongs to true happi- 
 ness, to the execution of his task for the 
 day. 
 
 END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. 
 
 Strahan and Preston, 
 Printers-Street, London.
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 The Reader is earnestly requested to correct the 
 different errors, from the errata, before perusal of the 
 work: — 
 
 Page 1, For " wild beasts alone" read « wild beasts only." 
 a. For •' naval objects'' read " rural objects." 
 
 4. For *' manly people" read " active people." 
 
 5. For '♦ groan tor his native land" read " yearn, &c." 
 47. For '* what is your honour ?" read " what is your power?" 
 77. For" moitly all" read " nearly all." 
 
 83. For** Fardaugerfialle" read " Hardanger-fialle." 
 91. and wherever else the name occurs, for •* Count 
 Gulderlieu" lead " Count Guldenlieu." 
 lOi. and throughout, for *' Stephania Richeman" read 
 
 " Stephanie Rjchemar." 
 117. For " continued harmless" read «• continued blame- 
 
 4ess." 
 152. For " a careless cough" read " careless laugh." 
 169. For " contrive to dmw" read " continue to draw." 
 175. For ♦• du Rambouillei" read " de, &c." 
 180. For" Glomma" read « Glomme." 
 185. For " amaze mankind" read " amuse mankind." 
 az5. For « generally careful" read " generously careful."
 
 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 
 
 3 0112 084219812