n. "I know I can trust her, if
she will trust me."

"Why, John, you can offer her wealth, position, and influence," said
Mrs. Hardy.

"All which would be nothing with her," said John "She would be as
content to marry me on a bare subsistence as if I had a larger income
than we have. Position is nothing to her, because she scarcely
understands it; and as for influence, she has more influence for good
in her father's parish than any person in it."

"A faint heart, John," suggested his mother.

"Yes, I know that; but my heart is not faint," said John. "I only wait
to be sure of it, and your approval, mother."

Karl Lindal made progress in learning English and Hardy made inquiries
for a berth for him with a foreign broker. In reply to the question as
to Karl's character, Hardy told the story of the young Dane's refusing
taking any money from Hardy in their driving tour to Esbjerg. This
slight matter made a favourable impression, and the young Dane entered
on his duties. Hardy procured lodgings for him in London, with a young
medical man who had recently married, and had began to keep house, and
whose relatives resided near Hardy Place.

CHAPTER XXI.

"Only a sweet and virtuous soul
Like seasoned timber, never gives
But when the whole world turns to coal,
Then chiefly lives."
_The Complete Angler._

The interior of Rosendal had been painted, and sketch plans of the
different floors and rooms had been submitted to Mrs. Hardy.
Lithographed drawings of Danish furniture had been procured in
Copenhagen, so that she could select what furniture she thought
necessary for their stay at Rosendal during the summer, and this was
purchased for John Hardy by Prokurator Steindal, and sent to Rosendal.

The planting and improvements in the grounds had been carried out.

Robert Garth and a manservant were sent with the horses, a carriage,
and the heavy impedimenta to Esbjerg by steamer, late in April, to
prepare for the occupation of the mansion at Rosendal.

Then came a letter from Vandstrup Praestegaard.

"Herr Hardy,

"We have heard that your servants are preparing Rosendal for your
mother's residence there. It has occurred to my father that everything
may not be at first ready for her, and he has directed me to write and
say that if she will come here on her arriving in Jutland, that we
will do our best to make her stay a pleasant one. We are all so
grateful for your goodness to Karl, that