“And now you will be less free and less happy, I know,” replied the sweet and austere old man, gravely; “but you will have power to comfort and console the poor and suffering. Think of that, and it will give you strength to struggle for your rights.”
“Well said, my dear Stenson!” cried M. Goefle, who had just risen, and who heard the last words of the pious old retainer. “Whoever meets as he ought the duties and responsibilities which life imposes, rivets chains upon his feet, and insures for himself many bitter hours. It remains to be seen whether the man who, in the glory of his youth and strength, finds himself confronted with a plain duty, and who turns away to escape from it, can still be happy in heedless indifference, and can venture to claim that he is contented with himself.”
“You are right, my friend,” said Christian; “do what you choose with me. I promise to be guided by your advice.”
“And then,” added M. Goefle, lowering his voice, “our sweet Margaret ought, I think, to be a sufficient compensation for enduring the life of a grand seigneur!”
It was decided by M. Goefle that Christian should leave Waldemora, where he could exert no authority until his inheritance should be secured to him by the decision of the special committee of the Diet, a mysterious, special, and privileged tribunal, which claimed the right of removing suits pending in ordinary courts, especially those in which the nobility were interested. It was necessary for Christian to accompany his lawyer to Stockholm, so as to demand and solicit a decision.
Before bidding farewell to Stollborg, both of them, however, went to the parsonage, where Christian, after thanking Minister Akerstrom respectfully and affectionately, appointed him guardian of his estates, in so far as it depended upon him, and in the very just anticipation that his choice would be ratified by the house of nobles. He had no opportunity of being alone with Margaret; and even if he could have spoken to her freely, he would not have wished to draw her into an engagement until he was sure that he would not become Christian Waldo again. But Margaret felt no doubt either of his intentions or his success, and returned to her retreat with her heart full of the blissful hopes of youth, and the faith of a first love.
Christian refused to go and breakfast at the new chateau with the major and his friends. They understood his repugnance, and dined with M. Goefle and the young baron in Stenson’s gaard. In the evening they were all invited to supper at the parsonage. Margaret was not to start until the next day. On the following day Christian also took his departure with M. Goefle, who amused himself by driving Loki, to the great satisfaction of Nils, who slept soundly during the whole journey, never waking up at all, except to eat.
After passing two weeks at Stockholm, where Christian conducted himself with great prudence, reserve, and dignity, M. Goefle, who was very impatient to return to Gevala, invited him to go there, while awaiting the decision of the supreme court, especially as there was every reason to believe that there would be a great deal of delay in the matter, since, in consequence of the death of the king, and succession of Prince Henry (now become Gustavus III.), the ruling powers were unusually busy and preoccupied. But Christian, foreseeing that he would be left in uncertainty for an indefinite period, did not feel willing to live at M. Goefle’s expense during all this time, and resolved to carry out his plan of taking a journey with Danneman Bœtsoi into the savage and frozen regions in the northern part of Norway. Equally unwilling to be a burden to the brave peasant, he accepted from M. Goefle a very moderate advance upon his inheritance, or upon his future labor; and, after embracing his friends at Waldemora and at Stollborg, he set off with Bœtsoi, once more leaving his dear Jean under the charge of Stenson.
[7] Hæst, September; Jul, December.