shed a great deal before breakfast, inspected store and cellars, read and answered mail, telegraphed, given instructions to his clerks; everything devolved upon him. Aagot k

many an hour in the company of some old crony, some visiting ship's captain or business acquaintance. But before retiring old Henriksen always lit a lam

s of childhood. Aagot did not disturb him much; it was only down in the little warehouse office that she was apt

r than he, it was up to him to display his knowledge and experience. But when they were alone, alas! then he could not keep up this pretence; he lost his seriousness and was a child with her. He stole many a glance from his books and papers, gazed at her secretly, lost in contemplation of her radiant figure and worshipping to di

her blush deeply, even to her neck, he regretted that he had been too abrupt. Th

he an

ady when

tered. He came in order to propose a visit

this hour because you kn

to go when the galleri

ughed

d, furious, ha, ha, ha!

ge

oat and went with Irgen

Aagot! Remember, we ha

nd to

ens glanced at hi

. If you have no objections we migh

listening curiously to his words; at times she would make some admiring little exclamation when he made a specially striking remark. She could not refrain from looking at his face-a han

h he asked her if she liked to go

not ver

not nic

was all right; he was doing splendidly. He was even eloquent; he spoke convincingly, with feeling and pathos. But in the middle of a most stirring peroration in which he, carried away in an outburst of spiritual fervour, had meant to shout: "Jews and Gentiles!" his tongue had tripped and he h

cularly sensitive soul could be seriously shaken by such a grotesque and silly mishap? Aagot could very well understan

buildings, Irgens pointed to t

rliament; have yo

not

, but when time for action came-where were they then? She had no idea how he and others were boiling with indignation over this display of loathsome cowardice. And what was the mighty adversary like? Sweden! That invincible world power full of doddering senili

ke! She looked at him and sa

s discussed," he replied. "I trust I haven't unwittingly offended y

was decided that there were mitigating circumstances. All right; penitentiary for life. "Next case!" Suddenly a voice is heard from among the spectators; it is the murderer's sweetheart, who shouts: "His confession is untrue; he has not committed murder! How could he possibly have done it; no

How beautiful-sad and beautiful! And

ggerated," he said. "Love as strong as th

t does

use it was green and silent when the two arrived. A boy and a girl; she fair, bright, shining like a white pinion against him who was dark- two souls

sed ab

diculous," he said. "L

rmly. He might go into the solitudes this summer, he said; settle down in a cabin by the water and row around at night. Imagine, wonderful nights in a row

ause of you. You impress me deeply; you enrapture me when you are near me. I know what I am saying. It is the loveliness

not understand him, perhaps; the reason for this last remark was not quite clear

I want to tell you, though, that your displeasure was charmingly becoming to you, really. I saw that you were provoked. If I may be allowed to expre

t be crazy! Let us be off at once! If it is my fault that you have talked too much, it is

ed away down t

if there would be time for a visit to-day. Perhaps they h

a moment; then she laugh

ment! We must be able to say that we have

y hurri

did not listen; she hurried along in order to get to the museum before it should close. She skipped quickly up the many stairs, ran past people going out, glanced quickly right and left in order to identify the chief works of art, and

out from a corner; but as she took a step forward to loo

in such a hurry!" sh

med as pleased as before; she gave him her hand at the door and thanked him, thanked him twice. He begged her forgiveness because he

u later at Tivo

there?" she ask

to come; I am going

Irgens had received a

aid all right, no

she threw herself on hi

see everything, that is, to see everything carefully; but you will ta

*

got were going to Tidema

got remark

that you are n

surprise. "Do you

was just a thoughtless word, a thoughtless, thoughtless word. She repented it bitterly and would have given anything t

ear I didn't mean it, Ole. It was so stupid of me to say it, but I didn't for a moment thi

said and patted her chee

h of a little thing like

,

him because he had taken it so nicely. Oh, he was so good an

its influence over her con