"Captain Lonner, next spring at least, Mr. Gottlieb," said Magde, proudly.
"Crown Secretary, now, instead of Mr. Gottlieb, if you please, Mrs. Lonner."
"So soon?"
"Yes, eight days ago I received the appointment; but my great fortune will come next spring, for then I hope to have a little house of my own."
"Yes, and perhaps a housekeeper too," added Magde.
"Possibly."
At this reply Magde cast a secret glance towards her father, which he returned. Gottlieb, however, changed the conversation, and commenced speaking of the death of poor Carl of which he had before been informed. During the next half hour, Gottlieb evinced the utmost impatience. He would walk to the window and gaze anxiously towards the lake, not observing that Magde and her father were exchanging significant glances and smiles behind his back.
At length he spied the boat, and he hastened down to the beach. The skiff contained the brother and sister, and their little companion.
A sympathetic sentiment seemed to have pervaded the entire family, for during their excursion Nanna and Ragnar conversed almost entirely about her young friend Gottlieb. So nicely had Ragnar probed his sister's heart that he knew almost as much about its true condition as Carl had previously learned. Although Ragnar would have desired to have believed as Carl did, he did not think it proper to offer Nanna any further consolation, than by saying that since he had received a captaincy she was placed on a more equal footing with Gottlieb and that he would do everything in his power to render her happy.
"I know you will, Ragnar," replied Nanna, "but only one thing can ever afford me happiness."