he breakfast bell
rang, and she went into the saloon where breakfast was served, and
kissed Mrs. Hardy, whose present she wore and thanked her warmly. John
Hardy wished her many happy returns of the day in a kindly Danish
phrase.

"But how do you like John's present, my child?" said Mrs. Hardy.

Helga looked at John. She saw at once that his mother not only knew
all about it, but had probably suggested it. "I thought it too costly
to accept," said Helga.

John put his hands on her two shoulders and shook her gently. "You
must not," he said in Danish, "be stiff-necked on your birthday. My
mother bought what I have given you in London, and the jewellery was
sent to Copenhagen for us to select from. It is all my mother's
choice."

"In the winter?" said Helga.

"Yes, my child, in the winter. I understood John, although he had so
many doubts and fears. He told me so much about you that I ordered the
dressing-case, which John has paid for," said Mrs. Hardy, "and if I
were you I would thank him."

She thanked him in the pretty Danish manner that so well became her,
and said, "Thank you, Mr. Hardy; you are so good to me."

If the black-bearded steward had not come in at this moment, it is to
be feared that John would have run the risk of being summarily
adjudicated upon as before described.

"Where is Axel?" asked John.

"He is out fishing, sir; been out since six o'clock, with one of the
men forard," replied the steward. This was explained to Helga, and
breakfast proceeded.

"I think," said Mrs. Hardy, "that Helga should write her father, and
say that we have arrived here and shall leave to-morrow evening; and,
John, you could ask him to meet us at Aarhus when we arrived. I fear
the worthy Pastor may think you have carried off his daughter, John."

"The very course I intend to take, mother, and in which you have aided
and abetted, and I bless and thank you for it," said John.

CHAPTER XXIII.

"Come, live with me and be my love.
And we will all the pleasures prove,
That valleys, groves, or hills, or field,
Or woods and sleepy mountains yield."
_The Complete Angler._

Helga wrote her father as follows:--

"My All-dearest Father,

"You were written to that we were going to Christiania from Elsinore.
I did not know that it was so far, but the steamship Herr Hardy has
sails as fast as the steamer from Aarhus to Copenhagen, and everything
is so clean and nice, and seeing fresh pl