e business of this world.
You must bear in mind,' said he, 'you who are still young, that it
requires a strong back to bear prosperity.'

"I can picture him now before me, standing just there. He was young
himself in those days, and not so very much older than myself.
Nevertheless, I was conscious that I stood in the exalted presence of
one who was worthy of all honour, before whom I would fain bow
myself.

"Something of the same feeling came over me to-day, when he
spoke--young Hans Nilsen Fennefos. It is of no use denying it; it is
he who is in the right, and it is we who are backsliders and
lukewarm."

The old man, shaking his head sadly, turned towards the town, the
others accompanying him in silence.

Madame Torvestad aged very much under the vexations which now beset
her. The Brethren had taken Hans Nilsen from her, and continued to
act without consulting her. Moreover, the Gnadau system of treatment
seemed to bear no fruit.

Henrietta, indeed, grew pale and thin, owing to much fasting and
confinement; but, on the other hand, a defiant look appeared in her
eyes.

One day her mother heard her singing a popular nautical ballad, on
the devotion of a sailor's bride to her betrothed. Upon this, Madame
Torvestad's patience broke down, and, losing her usual self-control,
she went into the room, and gave Henrietta a box on each ear, saying:
"I will soon teach you a very different song."

Henrietta sat as if petrified. She had often seen her mother in a
state of irritation, and had received many a sharp blow in her
younger days, but she had never seen her like this before. She did
not expect much forbearance, but it never occurred to her that things
could come to such a terrible pass.

In the course of an hour, Henrietta was called down into the
sitting-room, where she found Madame Endre Egeland. The stout
sallow-complexioned dame kissed her, and it was now broken to her
that she was betrothed to Erik Pontoppidan Egeland, the most
objectionable person under the sun.

When Sarah heard of this engagement, she went across to her mother.
They shut themselves up in the parlour, but the interview was of
brief duration. Madame Torvestad soon got the better of her daughter,
and when it came to the point, and Sarah found herself seated
opposite to her mother in the old room, she could not muster courage
enough for a decisive attack.

Besides, what could she say? Could she divulge her own shame and
sorrow?

Sarah w