hole of the voyage he had dreamt of securing his old
attic room again, of being constantly near Henrietta, and of
presenting her with all the wonderful things he had brought back in
his sea chest. He had dreamt of stealing out with her in a boat, or
of gliding with her on a hand sledge on the moonlight winter evenings
when Madame Torvestad was at meeting.

All these glorious plans had been carefully cherished and pondered
over a hundred times, and pictured down to the smallest detail, as he
paced the deck in the long and lonely night watches.

Now, however, it seemed as if there was no more hope or pleasure for
him, either in this world or the next.

Sarah seemed to take pity on him. Her mother came out and said:

"You saw Lauritz, Sarah?"

"Yes, mother."

"Did you speak to him?"

"No; I merely gave him a welcome."

"Do you think that he is changed?"

Sarah hardly knew what to answer, but her mother added with severity:
"Say no, my child; repentant sinners have a very different
appearance."

In her heart Sarah could not but allow that her mother was in the
right, especially when it occurred to her that Lauritz and Henrietta
were no longer children, and that sinful affections might take the
place of the old companionship.

Since she had entered the room she had also come to the conclusion
that it was her duty to confide her misgivings to her mother. Now,
however, she was spared this, and she was satisfied that it would be
better for the young people that they should be separated.

But then, again, she remembered how miserable he looked, as he crept
out of the kitchen, and she thought how disappointed Henrietta would
be; for had he not always lodged there?

No doubt it would be for the good of both that temptation should be
removed--but nevertheless--

By five o'clock Jacob Worse had returned home from the club; he could
stand it no longer. Everything had gone wrong, and nothing had
happened as he wished, from the time that he had set his foot on
shore.

At the club he had met two Finn captains, whose ships were detained
in the harbour, quite young fellows, who had lately arrived from
America.

One of them, a mere puppy, with a beard of English cut and a gold
chain, had been at Rio--and twice!

Oh! Randulf, Randulf, why were you away in the Baltic?

It happened to Skipper Worse as it happens to all easy temperaments.
The slightest pleasure would put him in good humour, and help him
over the great