to listen. Most of them had finished,
but some of the men took a little more, and ate whilst she read. They
began to be more at ease, and viewed Fennefos with less apprehension.

Madame Torvestad read well, without pronouncing the foreign words so
incorrectly as some of the others, who were not so well educated.

"'At last it happened that Elias'--that is Francke--'was taken away.
This was in 1727. I, a dweller in darkness, caught a glimpse of him
in the abode of the blest. I heard the great Prince of Peace, who was
surrounded by an innumerable multitude of the saved, say to them, "Ye
blessed of my Father, ye love me, and I you, we rejoice together, and
we have now a fresh occasion for our joy. In this our new Jerusalem,
we shall rejoice to-morrow; for a great soul is just about to leave
its earthly tenement, and will receive its crown." The whole host of
heaven cried rapturously, "Amen, amen."

"'But who, who shall this new and honoured saint be? My attention was
now directed to three who were among the worthiest, adorned with
crowns, and in the silken garb of archangels. Who is this, and this,
and this, asked my heart. Straightway I recognized them. Luther,
Arndt, and Spener.

"'"Brothers," said Spener, "do you think that I can guess who the
king means by this glorified friend that the day will reveal to us?
It must be Francke who will be crowned, for he has conquered in the
strife."

"'So spake the beloved Philip Jacob, and the Lord, who was near him,
said, "Thou art in the right."

"'The whole heaven resounded with joyful acclaim; and so the day that
Francke's soul had longed for arrived. A multitude of ministering
spirits, ready and anxious to obey their Lord's behest, were directed
to bring the soul of Francke. The chariot of Israel and the horsemen
thereof sallied forth to fetch him.'"

Most of the company manifested their approval by smiles and gestures,
but a few looked thoughtful, and Sivert Jespersen, regretted that he
had not come to a definite understanding beforehand with Madame
Torvestad.

She was a woman of intelligence, who could usually be trusted to
handle the most difficult subjects; in this case, however, she had
shown her weakest side, and Sivert Jespersen knew only too well how
much Fennefos disliked such extravagant rhapsodies.

In the mean time, however, Fennefos remained silent, and seemed to be
absorbed in thought.

Amongst the others a tranquil geniality began to prevail. The sou