ether the
world is not out of course, whether everything will not fall asunder
or be upheaved, and the sea pour in over the low reefs, sweeping
churches, houses, and all out into the fjord like chips.

"The wrath of God is upon the land," said the Haugians, as they held
on their hats on the way to the meeting.

In the entrance passage, the wind lifted the ends of the women's
shawls over their heads, so that they entered the low, half-lit
meeting-hall in a somewhat dishevelled state. Here they sat, packed
close together, while the reader had either to raise his voice or to
cease for a time altogether, when the wind shook the doors and
windows, and wrestled with the ash trees outside.

In the pause which followed, he began to read again, but without life
or freedom. Uneasiness prevailed as they looked one at another, the
women crept together as each blast struck the house, and the men had
much to think about.

Many ships owned by the Haugians were on their way home from the
Baltic and St. Ubes. People waited and waited, but nothing arrived;
whilst the tempest grew worse and worse with ever-increasing gales,
between south-west and north-west. If they have not found a harbour
of refuge in time, God have mercy both on them and us.

Even Sivert Jespersen was without a smile on his countenance, sitting
still, and pushing his hands up his coat sleeves until they reached
the elbows; he seemed as if clutching at and grasping something.

Madame Torvestad, with an austere and imperious aspect, sat in her
place; many gazed at her, but she maintained her composure. He,
however, whom all wished to see among them, was absent.

Eight days before, Fennefos had quietly taken leave of the Brethren,
and had embarked for England in a Dutch ship, which had been lying in
the harbour. It was his intention to proceed from England to India.
He had not, however, left the country; for the Dutchman had been
compelled to take shelter from the storm, and Fennefos lay
weather-bound at Smorvigen, a few miles from the town. He had even
visited it two days since on some business.

The tempest had been somewhat moderated during the forenoon, but in
the evening the wind went to north-west, and blew harder than ever.

Heavy seas came into the bay, causing the vessels and lighters to
roll, and breaking on the open stone foundations under the wooden
storehouses, here and there even washing up through the floors above,
on account of the unusually hig