Her heart was vanquished by no weakness, even when she saw suffering expressed in his youthful countenance; nay, she remained firm, even when she saw that his health was giving way, and only besought her husband to name an earlier day for his and Henrik's departure.

This was also her husband's wish.

Like a good angel, at once gentle, yet strong, he stood at this time by her side.

No wonder was it, therefore, that, with his support, Elise went forward successfully; no wonder was it, therefore, that from the firm conduct of her husband, and from the contemplation of the good understanding which existed between the married pair, the whispered blame, which had already begun to get abroad at their expense, died of itself, like a flame wanting nourishment.
Of Judge Frank's "old flame," which Elise had feared so much, we must relate how that she found herself so wounded, and so cooled likewise, by the ice-cold behaviour of her former adorer, that she quickly left the town, which was too monotonous for her, and abandoned all thoughts of settling there.
"Life there would be too uniform for me, would possess too little interest," said she, yawning, to the Judge, who was warmly counselling her return either to France or Italy.
"In our good North," added he, "we must find that which can give interest and enjoyment to life in ourselves and our own means,--from our families, from our own breasts." "She is, nevertheless, extremely beautiful and interesting," said Elise, with a kindly feeling towards her when she was gone.

The Judge made no reply; he never was heard to speak again of his former beloved one.
Days went by.