re was a little pause.

"Is your husband unwell?"

"Yes. I fancy he has some internal malady."

"You allude to his body. I am thinking of his soul. Is he still in
his sins?"

"Yes, Hans Nilsen, I fear he is. The Word has no power over him."

"Have you tried to help him, Sarah?"

"Yes, indeed, but without much success."

"Perhaps you have not tried in the right way. He has been a strong
man, and strong measures may be required to subdue him."

She would have discussed this farther with him, but at this point
they were interrupted by Madame Torvestad, who came to fetch
Fennefos. They had an engagement to visit an orphanage for girls,
which had been established by the Haugians.

Sarah accompanied them, not entirely to her mother's satisfaction.
Latterly she had been thrust so much into the shade by her daughter,
that she was doing all in her power to keep Fennefos to herself.

In the mean time, she pretended to be pleased, and all three went off
together. Sarah felt a particular satisfaction in the company of
Fennefos, although he devoted himself entirely to her mother, who
talked to him in a low voice about the people they met on their way.

When they returned, Hans Nilsen bade Madame Torvestad farewell
outside the house and followed Sarah to her own home.

They conversed for some time, Sarah telling him much about the
Brethren, and informing him of what had occurred during his absence.

As she soon observed that he took a more severe and a darker view of
everything, she herself also was led to give a worse aspect to what
had occurred. She spoke of the great lukewarmness that prevailed
amongst them, of the sordid desire for worldly gain, and of the
sinful servility with which they sought the approval of men.

She told him also how they allowed themselves to be flattered and
cajoled by the younger clergy, who sought to intrude themselves into
their charitable undertakings and their missions to the heathen.

Fennefos listened to her, and thanked her when she had finished.

"But you, Sarah, how is it with you?"

"Thanks, Hans Nilsen," said Sarah, looking up at him; "of myself I
can do nothing, but the Lord has been my strength, and I may venture
to say that all is well with me."

He turned away quickly, and bid her farewell.

The dinner at Sivert Jespersen's the following day was silent, for
all were in a state of suspense. The attention of all was fixed on
Hans Nilsen, who sat by the side of Sarah, gr