Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Christmas Eve
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peace instead of keeping company with the Prince
of Darkness!
But they cried him welcome as Gösta did. They
set a goblet full of wine in his hand, they gave him
the place of honor at the table, and seemed as glad
to see him as if his ugly, satyr-like face wore the
lovely features of their youth’s beloved.
Beerencreutz invited him to a game of camphio;
Squire Julius sang him his best songs; Örneclou
talked to him of beautiful women, those charming
beings who sweeten existence. And he seemed to
enjoy himself, as with princely ease he leaned back
on the coach-seat of the old carriage, and lifted the
brimming goblet in his claw-beweaponed hand to
his smiling lips.
But Gösta Berling, of course, made him a speech.
“Your highness,” he said, “we have expected you at
Ekeby for a long time, for you probably have some
difficulty in gaining access to any other paradise.
We live here without toiling, neither do we spin,
of which your highness is probably aware. Roast
sparrows here fly into our mouths, and the ale and
brandy flow in streams about us. This is a charming
place, you remark, my lord!
“We cavaliers have also expected you, because
our company has never really been complete. You
see the case is this—we are rather more than we
give ourselves out to be; we are the legendary troop
of twelve who go through Time. We were twelve
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