in her married life, and, moreover, there was not any
especial force in Sarah's exhortation when she counselled obedience.

For some time after Sivert Jespersen's party, Hans Nilsen was not to
be seen; he did not appear at meal times, and he never spent the
night in the house.

Madame Torvestad should not have thought much of this, as it had
occurred before. Fennefos had many friends in the neighbourhood, whom
he occasionally visited. What really troubled her was, that the old
dyer had been several times to inquire after Hans Nilsen, and was
unwilling to tell her the reason.

Madame Torvestad had now almost got over her disappointment about
Sarah. When she found that her daughter had got the better of her,
she was wise enough to be contented with the lustre reflected upon
her by the good and prosperous marriage.

Although Henrietta by no means filled Sarah's place at the Bible
desk, madame's small meetings continued to be attended, and she
retained the esteem of the elders.

But latterly a change was going on which alarmed her. She became
aware that what she had read at the dinner about Francke's journey to
heaven, had produced a very doubtful impression.

Moreover, she discovered that the elders had met in council about
Fennefos, without asking her to be present. The old dyer was
evidently the bearer of a secret message to him.

Madame Torvestad considered the matter carefully, and made up her
mind. When Hans Nilsen at last appeared, after a five days' absence,
she met him on the steps, and led him into her room.

"When you were last in town, Hans Nilsen," she began, without any
preface, "you asked me if I thought you ought to marry. I did not
think it expedient at that time, but I now think differently."

He moved in his chair, and she now observed for the first time that
there was something strange in his aspect.

He sat in a stooping position, half turned away from the light. The
clear grey eyes, which generally looked so frankly on those with whom
he talked, were cast down, and when he lifted them they were slowly
turned to one side. Moreover, he was pale, but blushed at times,
passing his hand over his face as if he would conceal it.

Her surprise was such that she forgot to proceed, and merely
repeated: "I am now of opinion that the time has come."

Fennefos, on his part, thought she knew all as well as he did, and
that every one would detect his misconduct by his outward appearance.
And now, when