he same
unbending nature.

The invitation was therefore accepted.

The distance was about five English miles, and Garth drove the pair of
Danish horses in the neat livery of Hardy Place; and the Pastor and
his daughter sat together, while Hardy sat beside Garth. He did this
because he thought that Froken Helga would rather dispense with his
society.

"They will do eight miles," said Garth, "but I do not believe they
will do more; they go what you may call pretty, but there is not much
stay in them, and if you drive them out of their pace, they are cut
down at once."

"Yes, Bob," said Hardy; "but they will suit my mother, and they are
just what she wants and would like."

"Yes," said Bob Garth, "there is that; but they starves them so much
when they are young, and that does not make sinew or bone."

Notwithstanding Garth's predictions, the Jensen's mansion was reached
in half an hour from Vandstrup Praestegaard, and Garth drove up with a
flourish that impressed Herr Jensen, who was on the door steps.

"Are these the horses the Englishman bought a few days ago, Herr
Pastor Lindal?" asked Herr Jensen.

"Yes," said Pastor Lindal. "But how are you, and how is Fru Lindal and
your family?"

"They are all right, thank you, Herr Pastor," replied Herr Jensen.
"But I never saw horses so managed! Why, they could be sold in
Hamburgh for a lot of money. They are fit for any carriage anywhere."

If Fru Jensen had not appeared on the scene, it is possible that her
husband's interest in the horses might have been prolonged
indefinitely; but she conducted Froken Helga Lindal into the house,
introduced herself to John Hardy, and told the Pastor to tell the
English groom where to put up his horses and where to wait until he
should be required to return to Vandstrup Praestegaard.

Herr Jensen looked at the Englishman with interest, as he stood before
him in his evening dress, broad-shouldered with fine limbs, his
clothes fitting well, and looking like a wedge from his broad chest
down to his feet.

They went into an assembly-room, where many guests were gathered.
There were several landowners of the district with their families, and
John Hardy's simple manners and unmistakable stamp of gentleman made a
favourable impression. He was introduced to a Froken Jaeger, and was
told he would have to take her in to dinner. Hardy bowed.

"How old are you?" said Froken Jaeger.

"Twenty-eight," replied Hardy.

"What is your profess