Ib and Little Christina · page 21 2 3101A carriage had to come from the Herning hotel to the next village, and she had taken the opportunity to see her friends once more.102She looked as elegant as a real lady, and wore a pretty dress, beautifully made on purpose for her.103There she stood, in full dress, while Ib wore only his working clothes.104He could not utter a word; he could only seize her hand and hold it fast in his own, but he felt too happy and glad to open his lips.105Christina, however, was quite at her ease; she talked and talked, and kissed him in the most friendly manner.106Even afterwards, when they were left alone, and she asked, "Did you know me again, Ib?" he still stood holding her hand, and said at last, "You are become quite a grand lady, Christina, and I am only a rough working man; but I have often thought of you and of old times."107Then they wandered up the great ridge, and looked across the stream to the heath, where the little hills were covered with the flowering broom.108Ib said nothing; but before the time came for them to part, it became quite clear to him that Christina must be his wife: had they not even in childhood been called the betrothed?109To him it seemed as if they were really engaged to each other, although not a word had been spoken on the subject.110They had only a few more hours to remain together, for Christina was obliged to return that evening to the neighboring village, to be ready for the carriage which was to start the next morning early for Herning.111Ib and her father accompanied her to the village.112It was a fine moonlight evening; and when they arrived, Ib stood holding Christina's hand in his, as if he could not let her go.113His eyes brightened, and the words he uttered came with hesitation from his lips, but from the deepest recesses of his heart: "Christina, if you have not become too grand, and if you can be contented to live in my mother's house as my wife, we will be married some day.114But we can wait for a while."115"Oh yes," she replied; "Let us wait a little longer, Ib.116I can trust you, for I believe that I do love you.117But let me think it over."118Then he kissed her lips; and so they parted.119On the way home, Ib told the boatman that he and Christina were as good as engaged to each other; and the boatman found out that he had always expected it would be so, and went home with Ib that evening, and remained the night in the farmhouse; but nothing further was said of the engagement.120During the next year, two letters passed between Ib and Christina.121They were signed, "Faithful till death;" but at the end of that time, one day the boatman came over to see Ib, with a kind greeting from Christina.122He had something else to say, which made him hesitate in a strange manner.123At last it came out that Christina, who had grown a very pretty girl, was more lucky than ever.124She was courted and admired by every one; but her master's son, who had been home on a visit, was so much pleased with Christina that he wished to marry her.125He had a very good situation in an office at Copenhagen, and as she had also taken a liking for him, his parents were not unwilling to consent.126But Christina, in her heart, often thought of Ib, and knew how much he thought of her; so she felt inclined to refuse this good fortune, added the boatman.127At first Ib said not a word, but he became as white as the wall, and shook his head gently, and then he spoke,--"Christina must not refuse this good fortune."128"Then will you write a few words to her?" said the boatman.129Ib sat down to write, but he could not get on at all.130The words were not what he wished to say, so he tore up the page.131The following morning, however, a letter lay ready to be sent to Christina, and the following is what he wrote:--132"The letter written by you to your father I have read, and see from it that you are prosperous in everything, and that still better fortune is in store for you.133Ask your own heart, Christina, and think over carefully what awaits you if you take me for your husband, for I possess very little in the world.134Do not think of me or of my position; think only of your own welfare.135You are bound to me by no promises; and if in your heart you have given me one, I release you from it.136May every blessing and happiness be poured out upon you, Christina.137Heaven will give me the heart's consolation."138"Ever your sincere friend, IB."139This letter was sent, and Christina received it in due time.140In the course of the following November, her banns were published in the church on the heath, and also in Copenhagen, where the bridegroom lived.141She was taken to Copenhagen under the protection of her future mother-in-law, because the bridegroom could not spare time from his numerous occupations for a journey so far into Jutland.142On the journey, Christina met her father at one of the villages through which they passed, and here he took leave of her.143Very little was said about the matter to Ib, and he did not refer to it; his mother, however, noticed that he had grown very silent and pensive.144Thinking as he did of old times, no wonder the three nuts came into his mind which the gypsy woman had given him when a child, and of the two which he had given to Christina.145These wishing nuts, after all, had proved true fortune-tellers.146One had contained a gilded carriage and noble horses, and the other beautiful clothes; all of these Christina would now have in her new home at Copenhagen.147Her part had come true.checked by a teacher148And for him the nut had contained only black earth.149The gypsy woman had said it was the best for him.150Perhaps it was, and this also would be fulfilled.151He understood the gypsy woman's meaning now.152The black earth--the dark grave--was the best thing for him now.153Again years passed away; not many, but they seemed long years to Ib.154The old innkeeper and his wife died one after the other; and the whole of their property, many thousand dollars, was inherited by their son.155Christina could have the golden carriage now, and plenty of fine clothes.156During the two long years which followed, no letter came from Christina to her father; and when at last her father received one from her, it did not speak of prosperity or happiness.157Poor Christina!158Neither she nor her husband understood how to economize or save, and the riches brought no blessing with them, because they had not asked for it.159Years passed; and for many summers the heath was covered with bloom; in winter the snow rested upon it, and the rough winds blew across the ridge under which stood Ib's sheltered home.160One spring day the sun shone brightly, and he was guiding the plough across his field.161The ploughshare struck against something which he fancied was a firestone, and then he saw glittering in the earth a splinter of shining metal which the plough had cut from something which gleamed brightly in the furrow.162He searched, and found a large golden armlet of superior workmanship, and it was evident that the plough had disturbed a Hun's grave.163He searched further, and found more valuable treasures, which Ib showed to the clergyman, who explained their value to him.164Then he went to the magistrate, who informed the president of the museum of the discovery, and advised Ib to take the treasures himself to the president.165"You have found in the earth the best thing you could find," said the magistrate.166"The best thing," thought Ib; "the very best thing for me,--and found in the earth!167Well, if it really is so, then the gypsy woman was right in her prophecy."168So Ib went in the ferry-boat from Aarhus to Copenhagen.169To him who had only sailed once or twice on the river near his own home, this seemed like a voyage on the ocean; and at length he arrived at Copenhagen.170The value of the gold he had found was paid to him; it was a large sum--six hundred dollars.171Then Ib of the heath went out, and wandered about in the great city.172On the evening before the day he had settled to return with the captain of the passage-boat, Ib lost himself in the streets, and took quite a different turning to the one he wished to follow.173He wandered on till he found himself in a poor street of the suburb called Christian's Haven.174Not a creature could be seen.175At last a very little girl came out of one of the wretched-looking houses, and Ib asked her to tell him the way to the street he wanted; she looked up timidly at him, and began to cry bitterly.176He asked her what was the matter; but what she said he could not understand.177So he went along the street with her; and as they passed under a lamp, the light fell on the little girl's face.178A strange sensation came over Ib, as he caught sight of it.179The living, breathing embodiment of Little Christina stood before him, just as he remembered her in the days of her childhood.180He followed the child to the wretched house, and ascended the narrow, crazy staircase which led to a little garret in the roof.181The air in the room was heavy and stifling, no light was burning, and from one corner came sounds of moaning and sighing.182It was the mother of the child who lay there on a miserable bed.183With the help of a match, Ib struck a light, and approached her.184"Can I be of any service to you?" he asked. "185This little girl brought me up here; but I am a stranger in this city.186Are there no neighbors or any one whom I can call?"187Then he raised the head of the sick woman, and smoothed her pillow.188He started as he did so.189It was Christina of the heath!190No one had mentioned her name to Ib for years; it would have disturbed his peace of mind, especially as the reports respecting her were not good.191The wealth which her husband had inherited from his parents had made him proud and arrogant.192He had given up his certain appointment, and travelled for six months in foreign lands, and, on his return, had lived in great style, and got into terrible debt.193For a time he had trembled on the high pedestal on which he had placed himself, till at last he toppled over, and ruin came.194His numerous merry companions, and the visitors at his table, said it served him right, for he had kept house like a madman.195One morning his corpse was found in the canal.196The cold hand of death had already touched the heart of Christina.197Her youngest child, looked for in the midst of prosperity, had sunk into the grave when only a few weeks old; and at last Christina herself became sick unto death, and lay, forsaken and dying, in a miserable room, amid poverty she might have borne in her younger days, but which was now more painful to her from the luxuries to which she had lately been accustomed.198It was her eldest child, also a Little Christina, whom Ib had followed to her home, where she suffered hunger and poverty with her mother.199"It makes me unhappy to think that I shall die, and leave this poor child," sighed she. 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