Denmark by the overland route for Hardy
Place. The time of their arrival at the station for Hardy Place was
therefore known some time before, and confirmed by a telegram from
Hardy on their reaching England.

Mrs. Hardy was on the platform, with a tall young man Pastor Lindal
did not know.

"It is your son Karl, Herr Pastor," said Mrs. Hardy.

A year's residence in England had made a great change in the Danish
lad, and he appeared so English that the Pastor hesitated before he
spoke to him in Danish. Karl's reply assured him that if he was
changed outwardly, there was no change that he could regret.

Mrs. Hardy welcomed the Pastor and her son's wife warmly. Two
carriages had been prepared, and John Hardy and his wife went in the
first, and Mrs. Hardy, the Pastor, and Karl in the second. When they
reached the entrance to Hardy Place, there was a considerable crowd of
well-wishers, who cheered lustily. There was an arch with the words--

"Saxon and Dane are we,
But all of us Danes
in our welcome of thee."

"It is kindly meant," said the Pastor, to Mrs. Hardy; "and I like the
full ring of the English cheer."

At the door at Hardy Place there was another crowd, and amid more
English cheers the fair Dane John Hardy had brought home as his wife
alighted at Hardy Place.

Mrs. Hardy took possession of Helga, and left her son to speak to his
friends and thank them for their reception, and entertain them.

"I have only asked Sir Charles Lynton to dinner, John," said
Mrs. Hardy. "I was afraid Helga might not be at her ease with a party
of perfect strangers the very first day she is here."

The Pastor was delighted with Hardy Place. "I see now," he said, "how
you knew how to deal with Rosendal. Your English landscape gardening
is good. I never saw so beautiful a place! The impression on me is
that of neatness and taste."

"Sir Charles Lynton comes to dinner, Herr Pastor," said Hardy; "and
you shall go and see his place to-morrow--it is only eight English
miles from here--and then you must tell me what you would like to see
or do during your very short stay in England. I dare say Karl can
suggest something. He must go to his work in London to-morrow."

Mrs. Hardy brought Helga down to the drawing-room before dinner,
dressed in her neat Danish dress, and a flower in her hair. She shook
hands with Sir Charles Lynton, and thanked him for his coming to her
wedding in Denmark.

"Now," said Mrs. Hardy, "I sh