closed his eyes, small rays of light blazed under his
eyelids, glimmered, vanished, and then returned, until it seemed to
him that suddenly--in the darkness--he could read in his closed eyes
the word "Go."

He sprang up, and looking around in the dimly lighted room, repeated
"Go! go!" His brain became clearer, his peace of mind returned, his
prayer had been heard. The spirit had guided him, and had dispelled
the darkness. He knelt down and gave thanks.

He threw off his coat and waistcoat, opened the window, and let the
rain fall on his face; he could now see his way clearly. Here he was
in danger; he must go, and sooner the better. Now once more, God be
thanked, he longed to struggle with the powers of hell.

He lighted his candle, and shaved himself with an unshaken hand. He
was calm, a little exhausted, but wonderfully happy and contented.
Afterwards he washed and dressed himself anew.

His forehead was not very high, but broad and open; his hair dark and
wiry, for which reason he kept it cut short. His nose was large and
aquiline, his mouth from his lips thin, and his chin well formed and
powerful.

As his lips were beardless, his teeth were plainly visible,
close-set, well-formed peasant teeth; and there were many persons who
liked to fix their eyes on his mouth when he spoke or sang at the
meetings. It was a mouth red and white, fresh and clear, which never
touched tobacco or spirits.

Cleanliness was especially the characteristic of the man, not only in
his clothes and linen, but in his face, with its regular features and
closely shaved chin. From his eyes, which were grey and bright, a
pure, earnest light shone, and there were those who did not care to
face them.

He had nothing of that inquisitive, offensive gaze with which many of
the Brethren seemed to bore into a sinner, as if they were piercing
downwards into a deep abyss of secret vice and wickedness. The look
of Hans Nilsen, on the contrary, gave the impression of expecting to
meet with the same purity as that from whence it came.

Perhaps it was for this reason that so many looked to one side when
they stood in front of him.

Nearly all the Haugians in the town were at the meeting, for it was a
Saturday. There was a movement of satisfaction among them when
Fennefos went to Endre Egeland, who stood by the little desk, about
to read out a sermon, and asked permission to say a word.

All roused themselves, in order to enjoy the words of the pop