tty but ungallant poet,
quitted the garden, and went through a winding hollow way, where the
luxuriant briers hung in rich masses over the stone fence. Slagelse,
with its high hills in the background, looked picturesque. He soon
reached Landsgrav. The sun went down as he walked over the field where
the wooden cross stands, with its figure of the Redeemer, in memory of
the holy Anders. Near it he perceived a man, who appeared to kneel. One
hand held fast by the cross; in the other was a sharp knife, with which
he was probably cutting out his name. He did not observe Otto. Near
the man lay a box covered with green oil-cloth; and in the grass lay a
knapsack, a pair of boots, and a knotty stick. It must be a wandering
journeyman, or else a pedlar.

Otto was about to return, when the stranger rose and perceived him. Otto
stood as if nailed to the earth. It was the German Heinrich whom he saw
before him.

"Is not that Mr. Thostrup?" said the man and that horrible grinning
smile played around his mouth. "No, that I did not expect!"

"Does it go well with you, Heinrich?" asked Otto.

"There's room for things to mend!" replied Heinrich "It goes better with
you! Good Lord, that you should become such a grand gentleman! Who would
have thought it, when you rode on my knee, and I pricked you in the arm?
Things go on strangely in this world! Have you heard of your sister? She
was not so much spoiled as you! But she was a beautiful child!"

"I have neither seen her nor my parents!" replied he, with a trembling
which he strove to conquer. "Do you know where she is?"

"I am always travelling!" said Heinrich; "but thus much I know, that
she is still in Funen. Yes, she must take one of us, an unpretending
husband! You can choose a genteel young lady for yourself. That's the
way when people are lucky. You will become a landed proprietor. Old
Heinrich will then no doubt obtain permission to exhibit his tricks on
your estate? But none of its will speak of former times!--of the red
house on the Odense water!" This last he whispered quite low. "I shall
receive a few shillings from you?" he asked.

"You shall have more!" said Otto, and gave to him. "But I wish us to
remain strangers to each other, as we are!"

"Yes, certainly, certainly!" said Heinrich, and nodded affirmatively
with his head, whilst his eyes rested on the gift Otto had presented him
with. "Then you are no longer angry with my joke in Jutland?" asked he
with a simpering