y no means so badly
off. I know you have something laid by--"

"A trifle," Soeren put in.

"Well, so be it; but it shows, at any rate, that you have an idea of
economy, and that's as good as money in your pocket. You came out
high in your examination; and, with your family influence and other
advantages at headquarters, you needn't wait long before applying for
some minor appointment; and once in the way of promotion, you know, you
go ahead in spite of yourself."

Soeren bit his pen and looked interested.

"Let us assume," continued his principal, "that, thanks to your economy,
you can set up house without getting into any debt worth speaking
of. Then you'll have your salary clear, and whatever you can earn in
addition by extra work. It would be strange, indeed, if a man of your
ability could note find employment for his leisure time in a rising
commercial centre like ours."

Soeren reflected all forenoon on what the Sheriff had said. He saw, more
and more clearly, that he had over-estimated the financial obstacles
to his marriage; and, after all, it was true that he had a good deal of
time on his hands out of office hours.

He was engaged to dine with his principal; and his intended, too, was to
be there. On the whole, the young people perhaps met quite as often
at the Sheriff's as at Marie's home. For the peculiar knack which Mrs.
Moeller, Marie's mother, had acquired, of giving every conversation a
religious turn, was not particularly attractive to them.

There was much talk at table of a lovely little house which Mrs. Olsen
had discovered; "A perfect nest for a newly married couple," as she
expressed herself. Soeren inquired, in passing, as to the financial
conditions, and thought them reasonable enough, if the place answered to
his hostess's description.--Mrs. Olsen's anxiety to see this marriage
hurried on was due in the first place, as above hinted, to her desire
for mere occupation, and, in the second place, to a vague longing for
some event, of whatever nature, to happen--a psychological phenomenon by
no means rare in energetic natures, living narrow and monotonous lives.

The Sheriff worked in the same direction, partly in obedience to his
wife's orders, and partly because he thought that Soeren's marriage to
Marie, who owed so much to his family, would form another tie to bind
him to the office--for the Sheriff was pleased with his clerk.

After dinner the young couple strolled about the garden. The