_From a Swedish_ HOMESTEAD _From a SWEDISH_ HOMESTEAD _By_ SELMA LAGERLÖF _Translated by_ JESSIE BROCHNER [Illustration] GARDEN CITY NEW YORK DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY 1916 _Copyright, 1901, by_ DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY _A_ LIST _of the_ STORIES _Page_ _The_ STORY _of a_ COUNTRY HOUSE 1 _Queens at_ KUNGAHÄLLA 135 _On the_ SITE _of the Great_ KUNGAHÄLLA 135 _The Forest_ QUEEN 141 SIGRID STORRÄDE 157 ASTRID 172 _Old_ AGNETE 219 _The Fisherman's_ RING 231 _Santa_ CATERINA _of_ SIENA 257 _The Empress's_ MONEY-CHEST 277 _The_ PEACE _of_ GOD 291 _A_ STORY _from_ HALSTANÄS 309 _The_ INSCRIPTION _on the_ GRAVE 323 _The_ BROTHERS 339 _From a Swedish_ HOMESTEAD I _The_ STORY _of a_ COUNTRY HOUSE _The_ STORY _of a_ COUNTRY HOUSE I It was a beautiful autumn day towards the end of the thirties. There was in Upsala at that time a high, yellow, two-storied house, which stood quite alone in a little meadow on the outskirts of the town. It was a rather desolate and dismal-looking house, but was rendered less so by the Virginia-creepers which grew there in profusion, and which had crept so high up the yellow wall on the sunny side of the house that they completely surrounded the three windows on the upper story. At one of these windows a student was sitting, drinking his morning coffee. He was a tall, handsome fellow, of distinguished appearance. His hair was brushed back from his forehead; it curled prettily, and a lock was continually falling into his eyes. He wore a loose, comfortable suit, but looked rather smart all the same. His room was well furnished. There was a good sofa and comfortable chairs, a large writing-table, a capital bookcase, but hardly any books. Before he had finished his coffee another student entered the room. The new-comer was a totally different-looking man. He was a short, broad-shouldered fellow, squarely built and strong, ugly, with a large head, thin hair, and coarse complexion. 'Hede,' he said, 'I have come to have a serious talk with you.' 'Has anything unpleasant happened to you?' 'Oh no, not to me,' the other answered; 'it is really you it concerns.' He sat silent for a while, and looked down. 'It is so awfully unpleasant having to tell you.' 'Leave it alone, then,' suggested Hede. He felt inclined to laugh at his friend's solemnity.