Library of the Worlds Best Literature, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 6 | Page 9

little afraid, from the accounts I
had heard of that lady, and the respect Bear entertained for her. This
visit appeared entirely mal àpropos to me, but Bear has his own ideas,
and I perceived from his manner that it was not expedient then to offer
any resistance.

It was Sunday, and on the carriage drawing up, the tones of a violin
became audible to me. "Aha!" said Bear, "so much the better;" made a
ponderous leap from the carriage, and lifted me out. Of hat-cases and
packages, no manner of account was to be taken. Bear took my hand,
ushered me up the steps into the magnificent hall, and dragged me
toward the door from whence the sounds of music and dancing were
heard. "See," thought I, "now I am to dance in this costume forsooth!" I
wished to go into some place where I could shake the dust from my
nose and my bonnet; where I could at least view myself in a mirror.
Impossible! Bear, leading me by the arm, assured me that I looked
"most charming," and entreated me to mirror myself in his eyes. I then
needs must be so discourteous as to reply that they were "too small."
He protested that they were only the clearer, and opened the door to the
ball-room. "Well, since you lead me to the ball, you shall also dance
with me, you Bear!" I exclaimed in the gayety of despair, so to speak.
"With delight!" cried Bear, and at the same moment we found
ourselves in the salon.
My alarm diminished considerably when I perceived in the spacious
room only a crowd of cleanly attired maids and serving-men, who were
sweeping merrily about with one another. They were so busied with
dancing as scarcely to observe us. Bear then conducted me to the upper
end of the apartment; and there, on a high seat, I saw a tall and strong
lady of about fifty, who was playing on a violin with zealous
earnestness, and beating time with her foot, which she stamped with
energy. On her head she wore a remarkable and high-projecting cap of
black velvet, which I will call a helmet, because that word occurred to
my mind at the very first view I had of her, and I know no one more
appropriate. She looked well, but singular. It was the lady of General
Mansfelt, my husband's stepmother, ma chère mère!
She speedily cast her large dark-brown eyes on me, instantly ceased
playing, laid aside the violin, and drew herself up with a proud bearing,
but an air of gladness and frankness. Bear led me towards her. I
trembled a little, bowed profoundly, and kissed ma chère mère's hand.
She kissed my forehead, and for a while regarded me with such a keen
glance, that I was compelled to abase my eyes, on which she again

kissed me most cordially on lips and forehead, and embraced me
almost as lustily as Bear had. Now it was Bear's turn; he kissed the
hand of ma chère mère right respectfully; she however offered him her
cheek, and they appeared very friendly. "Be welcome, my dear
friends!" said ma chère mère, with a loud, masculine voice. "It was
handsome in you to come to me before driving to your own home. I
thank you for it. I would indeed have given you a better reception had I
been prepared; at all events, I know that 'Welcome is the best cheer.' I
hope, my friends, you stay the evening here?" Bear excused us, said
that we desired to get home soon, that I was fatigued from the journey,
but that we would not drive by Carlsfors without paying our respects to
ma chère mère.
"Well, very good, well, very good!" said ma chère mère, with
satisfaction; "we will shortly talk further about that in the chamber
there; but first I must say a few words to the people here. Hark ye, good
friends!" and ma chère mère knocked with the bow on the back of the
violin, till a general silence ensued in the salon. "My children," she
pursued in a solemn manner, "I have to tell you--a plague upon you!
will you not be still there, at the lower end?--I have to inform you that
my dear son, Lars Anders Werner, has now led home, as his wedded
wife, this Francisca Burén whom you see at his side. Marriages are
made in heaven, my children, and we will supplicate heaven to
complete its work in blessing this conjugal pair. We will this evening
together drink a bumper to their prosperity. That will do! Now you can
continue your dancing, my children. Olof, come you here, and do your
best in playing."
While a murmur of exultation and congratulations went through