conscience. But it was a great relief to him when the good lady produced and placed in his hand a large bag containing strong smelling spices, and besought him at length to take it with him to his mother, and prevail upon her to use the herbs as she prescribed. Axel listened so attentively that he heard nothing which she said, and then begged to have the directions in writing, promising to take both them and the bag with him to Stockholm, and do all that Aunt Karin prescribed. This done, he hastened out of the house as fast as possible through the garden, through the little gate which led to the woods, where he evidently was looking for some one.

This some one was Cora, who met him there pale and grave.

"Farewell, Axel!" she said, in a voice which she in vain attempted to make firm; "farewell, and forget-forget my weakness and the moment, when it surprised me and-us both! Forget what was then said, and-never let Rosa have an idea of that moment's madness. For Rosa alone is worthy to possess your heart, alone worthy to-"

"My beloved girl!" interrupted Axel, "you know that Rosa has rejected me-has refused to become mine; that she has desired me to choose another to be my wife!"

"Yes; but I know, too, that she loves you; and I am afraid, too, that she is not happy, and will perhaps never be so, separated from you. And never, never will I do anything which should stand in the way of Rosa's happiness. I would rather die. And this is what I want to say to you Axel, and why I have consented to meet you here. But we must now bid each other farewell!"

"My sweetest girl!" said Axel, "you see ghosts in the broad daylight. It is not as you imagine. I am not at all necessary to Rosa's happiness. But, in order to make you quite easy, let us refer it to herself. She alone shall either unite or separate us. It shall depend alone upon her. But now, now-what was it you were singing when I came in? Was it not, that if your dearest friend came to you again, you would kiss his mouth, though wolves' blood stained it!' Were not those the words you sang? You must now keep

your promise, for I am your dearest friend. Don't be afraid there is no wolves' blood on my lips, neither is there a viper in my hand. You may take it without fear, my childish little Cora. I am, indeed, your dearest friend and will one day be your husband, and I have therefore a right, at all events to kiss you!"

Cora turned away, but in vain.

Just then the branches of the tree under which they stood were shaken violently-not as by the wind, for the wind was still; but by a human arm. Seized with a panic terror, Cora slid out of Axel's arms, and fled like a hunted doe through the woods and into the garden. Axel looked round hastily and inquiringly, but when he saw no one, and that all was again still, he thought to himself, "It was only a bird in the tree!" and he followed Cora, but did not see her again that day.

Cora had a head-ache, it was said, and was gone to bed. Rosa remained with her, and was not visible either that evening. Early the following morning Axel left Östervi, and an hour later was out of Gothland.

LONG WEEKS.

ON these we will give a short chapter.

The physicians were mistaken-they are SO sometimes-about the remaining term of Baroness Norrby's life. She lived, after Rosa's arrival, more than four months. The whole of this time, with scarcely any exception, was spent by Rosa in her sick room in the endeavour to cheer her remaining days. This was not an easy task, because her aunt required above all things to be amused and entertained; all" tiresome thoughts" must be got rid of, and these to her were the same as serious thoughts, and everything around her must contribute and tend to this aim. Rosa endeavoured, but in vain, to introduce by reading and conversation a more earnest purpose into her aunt's life; she could merely succeed for a moment.

Baroness Norrby was not at home, was not happy in this sphere of thought; there was, in fact, only one in which she was so, and that, now more than ever, appeared to Rosa empty and spiritless. Time hung very heavily with her. She missed her daily work; the wholesome murmur of her groves, the strengthening atmosphere of her home and her father's presence. Yet still it was pleasant to see her aunt's unvarying affection for her, the necessity she felt for her presence, and this made it easy to render her a daughter's duty and care. Rosa alone was permitted to comb her hair, and to perform all the little niceties of personal attention, in which she was exact. No one but Rosa could prepare her refreshing, cooling draughts; and thus she was very seldom able to leave her bed-side.

Axel's society was during this time a recreation to Rosa, and also a severe trial. By his mother's sick bed Axel was an excellent son, besides which he was now a much graver man than formerly. With him Rosa could converse on subjects kindred to her own mind, and she found a continually increasing interest in her intercourse with him. Resolutely