148 Ellen Key suspicion of not having openly shouldered the consequences of her private actions. When Ellen Key stands as a single woman before the world, it means that she is single in fact. I have never belonged to Ellen Key's inti- mate circle; my more conservative nature has even kept me on the outskirts, and I have often felt trepidation at her uncompromising desire for freedom, and the bold language con- cerning debatable principles into which she is sometimes beguiled by her ardent tempera- ment. Yet we have long been friends. Midsummer-Eve, of 1876, Ellen Key arrived at my country home, eagerly expected, as I had heard her much spoken of. She made only a short visit, but she produced an impres- sion for life. What first attracted me was the noble simplicity of her nature. Her con- versation was engrossing, and she had a rare ability of choosing suitable subjects for each member of our large household, where, as is often the case in the country, even outsiders were present at meals, generally as quiet listeners only. But Ellen Key, with her fine amiability, knew how to make all feel at their ease. One subject led to another and the atmosphere was one of good feeling and pleasure. A great void was felt when she left.