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h mostrespectable people。 〃Only think；〃 he said； 〃She is going to the richinnkeeper's； at the hotel in Herning； many miles west from here。 Sheis to assist the landlady in the housekeeping； and； if afterwardsshe behaves well and remains to be confirmed； the people will treather as their own daughter。〃
So Ib and Christina took leave of each other。 People alreadycalled them 〃the betrothed；〃 and at parting the girl showed Ib the twonuts； which she had taken care of ever since the time that they lostthemselves in the wood； and she told him also that the little woodenshoes he once carved for her when he was a boy； and gave her as apresent； had been carefully kept in a drawer ever since。 And so theyparted。
After Ib's confirmation； he remained at home with his mother；for he had bee a clever shoemaker； and in summer managed the farmfor her quite alone。 His father had been dead some time； and hismother kept no farm servants。 Sometimes； but very seldom； he heardof Christina； through a postillion or eel…seller who was passing。But she was well off with the rich innkeeper； and after beingconfirmed she wrote a letter to her father； in which was a kindmessage to Ib and his mother。 In this letter； she mentioned that hermaster and mistress had made her a present of a beautiful new dress；and some nice under…clothes。 This was； of course； pleasant news。
One day； in the following spring； there came a knock at the doorof the house where Ib's old mother lived； and when they opened it；lo and behold； in stepped the boatman and Christina。 She had e topay them a visit； and to spend the day。 A carriage had to e fromthe Herning hotel to the next village； and she had taken theopportunity to see her friends once more。 She looked as elegant as areal lady； and wore a pretty dress； beautifully made on purpose forher。 There she stood； in full dress； while Ib wore only his workingclothes。 He could not utter a word； he could only seize her hand andhold it fast in his own； but he felt too happy and glad to open hislips。 Christina； however； was quite at her ease； she talked andtalked； and kissed him in the most friendly manner。 Even 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 beequite a grand lady； Christina； and I am only a rough working man；but I have often thought of you and of old times。〃 Then theywandered up the great ridge； and looked across the stream to theheath； where the little hills were covered with the flowering broom。Ib said nothing； but before the time came for them to part； itbecame quite clear to him that Christina must be his wife： had theynot even in childhood been called the betrothed？ To him it seemed asif they were really engaged to each other； although not a word hadbeen spoken on the subject。 They had only a few more hours to remaintogether； for Christina was obliged to return that evening to theneighboring village； to be ready for the carriage which was to startthe next morning early for Herning。 Ib and her father acpaniedher to the village。 It was a fine moonlight evening； and when theyarrived； Ib stood holding Christina's hand in his； as if he couldnot let her go。 His eyes brightened； and the words he uttered camewith hesitation from his lips； but from the deepest recesses of hisheart： 〃Christina； if you have not bee too grand； and if you can becontented to live in my mother's house as my wife； we will bemarried some day。 But we can wait for a while。〃
〃Oh yes；〃 she replied； 〃Let us wait a little longer； Ib。 I cantrust you； for I believe that I do love you。 But let me think itover。〃 Then he kissed her lips； and so they parted。
On the way home； Ib told the boatman that he and Christina were asgood as engaged to each other； and the boatman found out that he hadalways expected it would be so； and went home with Ib that evening；and remained the night in the farmhouse； but nothing further wassaid of the engagement。 During the next year； two letters passedbetween Ib and Christina。 They were signed； 〃Faithful till death；〃 butat the end of that time； one day the boatman came over to see Ib； witha kind greeting from Christina。 He had something else to say； whichmade him hesitate in a strange manner。 At last it came out thatChristina； who had grown a very pretty girl； was more lucky than ever。She was courted and admired by every one； but her master's son； whohad been home on a visit； was so much pleased with Christina that hewished to marry her。 He had a very good situation in an office atCopenhagen； and as she had also taken a liking for him； his parentswere not unwilling to consent。 But Christina； in her heart； oftenthought of Ib； and knew how much he thought of her； so she feltinclined to refuse this good fortune； added the boatman。 At first Ibsaid not a word； but he became as white as the wall； and shook hishead gently； and then he spoke；… 〃Christina must not refuse thisgood fortune。〃
〃Then will you write a few words to her？〃 said the boatman。
Ib sat down to write； but he could not get on at all。 The wordswere not what he wished to say； so he tore up the page。 Thefollowing morning； however； a letter lay ready to be sent toChristina； and the following is what he wrote：…
〃The letter written by you to your father I have read； and seefrom it that you are prosperous in everything； and that still betterfortune is in store for you。 Ask your own heart； Christina； andthink over carefully what awaits you if you take me for yourhusband； for I possess very little in the world。 Do not think of me orof my position； think only of your own welfare。 You are bound to me byno promises； and if in your heart you have given me one； I release youfrom it。 May every blessing and happiness be poured out upon you；Christina。 Heaven will give me the heart's consolation。
Ever your sincere friend； IB。〃
This letter was sent； and Christina received it in due time。 Inthe course of the following November； her banns were published inthe church on the heath； and also in Copenhagen； where thebridegroom lived。 She was taken to Copenhagen under the protectionof her future mother…in…law； because the bridegroom could not sparetime from his numerous occupations for a journey so far intoJutland。 On the journey； Christina met her father at one of thevillages through which they passed； and here he took leave of her。Very little was said about the matter to Ib； and he did not refer toit； his mother； however； noticed that he had grown very silent andpensive。 Thinking as he did of old times； no wonder the three nutscame into his mind which the gypsy woman had given him when a child；and of the two which he had given to Christina。 These wishing nuts；after all； had proved true fortune…tellers。 One had contained a gildedcarriage and noble horses； and the other beautiful clothes； all ofthese Christina would now have in her new home at Copenhagen。 Her parthad e true。 And for him the nut had contained only black earth。 Thegypsy woman had said it was the best for him。 Perhaps it was； and thisalso would be fulfilled。 He understood the gypsy woman's meaningnow。 The black earth… the dark grave… was the best thing for him now。
Again years passed away； not many； but they seemed long years toIb。 The old innkeeper and his wife died one after the other； and thewhole of their property； many thousand dollars； was inherited by theirson。 Christina could have the golden carriage now； and plenty offine clothes。 During the two long years which followed； no letter camefrom Christina to her father； and when at last her father received onefrom her； it did not speak of prosperity or happiness。 Poor Christina！Neither she nor her husband understood how to economize or save； andthe riches brought no blessing with them； because they had not askedfor it。
Years passed； and for many summers the heath was covered withbloom； in winter the snow rested upon it； and the rough winds blewacross the ridge under which stood Ib's sheltered home。 One spring daythe sun shone brightly； and he was guiding the plough across hisfield。 The ploughshare struck against something which he fancied was afirestone； and then he saw glittering in the earth a splinter ofshining metal which the plough had cut from something which