60 THROUGH THE FIELDS WITH LINN.-EUS 



household life in Sweden as beyond anything he had 

 seen abroad below the sumptuous classes. He stopped 

 at Stenbrohult to ask his father's blessing on his mar- 

 riage. He had, besides, so much to tell his father, who 

 breathed more freely in his son's wide knowledge. It 

 was so pleasant to be called Carl again he had not 

 been called Carl since Artedi died and to see again 

 faces which knew and smiled upon him. His brother 

 Samuel was now twenty, and just preparing for Lund 

 University; Emerentia, the youngest of Carl's three 

 sisters, a mere child when he left home, was now about 

 eighteen, and engaged to be married to Branting of the 

 civil service. The whole family gathered round to see 

 the young doctor, the man of European fame in science. 

 The neighbours shook his hand and wished him well : he 

 was a pride to them likewise. But he must not stay : 

 deeper interests and a frightful uncertainty lay in Dale- 

 carlia. Should ' he returning see himself too late ' ? 

 His country welcomed him, his neighbours hailed him 

 gladly ; but would his love ? Suspense was fearfully 

 agitating. He sped northwards. All was safe. She 

 awaited him at Falun ; she who heard him first 



Woo her the snow-month through, but 'ere she durst 

 Answer 'twas April. Linden-flower time long 

 Her eyes were on the ground ; 'tis July strong 

 Now ; and because white dust-clouds overwhelm 

 The woodside, here or by the village elm, 

 And whisper (the damp little hand in yours) 

 Of love, heart's love, your heart's love that endures 

 Till death. 1 



1 Sordello. 



