l, which is one of the most pleasant and agreeable in Europe. Strangers would visit it much more frequently if it were better known and mo

-boats, which fulfill the duties of omnibuses. The population are hardworking, gay, and contented. They are the most hospitable, the most polite, and the best educated of any

ho had left them at the first relay. Their parting had been more sorrowful than would

Erik was fairly dazzled. The copper knocker of the door appeared to him to be of fine gold. The vestibule, p

er his health with the affectionate cordiality which is habitua

ken staircase, covered with heavy carpet. He turned, and saw tw

a--Maria, the lady in charge of the doctor's house, and who was the undisputed autocrat of the mansion in everything that pertained to the culinary or domestic affairs. Behind her came a little girl, eleven or twelve years old, who appeared to Erik like a fairy princess. Instead of the national costume, the only one which he had ever seen

asant journey?" she cried, clasping the doctor around the neck. Sh

shook hands with his housekeeper, th

d you, my boy, do not be afraid," he said kindly. "Dame Greta is not as severe as she looks, and you and my niece Kajsa

nded by making a

ppear very enthusiastic over the new

h a severe air, as they ascended the s

about it before long. Do not be afraid; but

ble was beautifully laid with damask an

eat their fish on rounds of black bread, and find it very good. Therefore the doctor had to repeat his invitation several times before the boy took his seat at the table, and the awkwardness of his

etites of a battalion of infantry after a long march. Soup, fish, home-made bread, goose stuffed with chestnuts, boiled beef, flanked with a moun

large enough to have sufficed a Parisian artist with hangings for the whole apartment. The doctor seated himself in a corner by the fire, in a large leather arm-chair, Kajsa

did not leave

said, in his sonorous voice; "and t

and very narrow, and the hou

they are in Norway," answ

om seeing the stars!

live," said Kajsa, piqued by his criticisms. "Wh

t of them are not as wide as that which b

doctor, "are you

to you, dear doctor, for having brought me. But you as

frightful little

ur forests of pine, looking so black against the pale sky! And besides all this, the great sea; sometimes tumultuous and terrible, and sometimes so calm as scarcely to rock on

f the houses," said Kajsa, "they are onl

nd grandfather as well as myself were bor

ed and rema

uses, but they answer as

and I, and we repeat together the old sagas, while we watch the shadows that play upon the ceiling; and when the wind blows outside, and all the

jsa proudly. "I must show you the gr

this one," said Erik, "are the

armchairs, and sofas, lace curtains, a sple

iption, but cast envious glances toward the large

t once, and seating himself in a corner where there was a good light, he was soon completely absorbed in his reading. He hardly noticed the successi

ed in polished terms the pleasure which he felt at the doctor's safe return. He was scarcely seated i

xclaimed the two fri

f wind, seized both the doctor's hands, kissed Kajsa on the forehead affectionately,

ord, one of the most illus

said he, suddenly

o explain in as fe

who reads Gibbon in English?" he asked. For he saw at a gla

erest you, my

ead for a long time, the first volume of the 'F

rs that the peasants of Bergen are fond of seri

ich is not far from

y eyes and hair as br

ndes like Miss Kajsa. But they are not dressed like her," he

Kajsa is a product of civilization. And what are you go

enough to offer to send

d, tapping his snuff-box wi

igations, and he changed the conversation. They then talked about court affairs, the city news, and all that had taken place since the departure of the doctor.

colded when they made him lose. After every rubber he took pleasure in showing the delinquent where he had erred; what card he should have led, and which he should

er lost their temper. The professor was habit

ould say gravely, in answer

dejord would say, laughing. "All my life I have made the greatest blunders whenever I play whist

iticisms, but it was only to renew them a quar

e, and his consequent ill-humor made his criticisms very

d his faults, and the lawyer answere

playing badly, and you lose by following

fulness; then she discreetly disappeared. Soon Dame Greta appeared, and, calling Erik, she conducted him to the ap

iends were n

bon in the original text?" said Mr. Bredejord, as he put some sugar into his second

willingly tell you Erik's history, for I know that I can

in his arm-chair. "We will listen, dear doctor. I assure you that your confidence

the curiosity of his friend. "A problem which I hope to be able to so

gence. He had made inquiries about him, and he related all that Mr. Malarius and Mr. Hersebom had told. He omitted none of the details. He spoke of the buoy, of

ed him, and of which he has made the best use. It was his unusual acquirements which first drew my attention to him and led me to make inquiries about him. But in reality this has little connection with the questions which now occupy me, which are: where did this child co

e child belongs to the Celtic race. He presents

ss to the

ne--or we will say Anglo-Saxon to be more precise. Besides, everything confirms the hypothesis, for more than one English vessel going and coming from Inverness, or the Orkneys, have been driven on the coast of Norway by a tempest; and y

r the lawyer thought it

of the Celtic race--an English Vessel. But this is simply because you have failed to bear in mind the existence on the coast of Great Britain of a people of the Celtic race, on her sister island

on upon any subject. It must also be confessed that to give such an opinion in this case w

hat the Irish belong to the Ce

or Schwaryencrona asked nothing more, and only

g been an English vessel, it appears to me that we are in possession of the necessary links, in order to find the family of the poor child.

n he remarked the obstinate silence of the lawyer and the slight

h you would say so. You know that I do not fear

Mr. Bredejord. "Hochstedt can bear

o not share my opinion; and I am cu

affirm that the Irish are Celts. Has the child all the characteristics of the Celtic race? You can judge for yourself. You were struck by his appearance before I opened my mou

Bredejord, "if you apply it to me. I can only say that

that you do n

not a

facts to suppor

aid that I ha

ion, just for the sake of contra

assure you. Your reasoning appeared to

you please, I am

ontent myself with offering you a bet. Your copy of Pliny against my Quin

ened by his unconquerable good humor. "But I shall take so

air. How much time do you expec

have said two years to Hersebom, in orde

ochstedt shall be our witness; and

n in great danger of coming to keep comp

with his two friends, he a