n excellent daughter," replied Hardy.

"And that she would make an excellent wife?" said Froken Jaeger.

"Possibly," said Hardy, with a determination to say nothing more.

The dinner party broke up. The elder people of the male sort adjourned
to a very strong tobacco-parliament and cards; the younger went into
the assembly-room, which was now converted into a ball-room. Froken
Jaeger said, "Herr Hardy, I have put your name down in my list of
dances for the first dance, and you will dance with me."

Hardy went to Froken Helga Lindal, and besought her to deliver him
from Froken Jaeger; but she declined, and said, "You have to dance
with Froken Jaeger; you have taken her in to dinner, and it is our
custom."

"Then," said Hardy, "let me have one dance with you, a waltz?"

Helga gave him her list, and he wrote his name down for the first
waltz possible.

"Is it your father's wish to stay here a long time, Froken Helga?"
asked Hardy.

"No; but it depends on you," replied Helga. "He will not leave until
you wish, but I know the sooner he is home the better for him. But
Herr Jensen will want to talk to you about his horses."

"I will see him at once," said Hardy, "and tell him I will ride over
to-morrow to see his horses, and that will, I think, prevent any delay
arising from that cause."

So Hardy went into the tobacco-parliament, and arranged with Herr
Jensen to see him the following day, and the catechising Froken Jaeger
had to wait while the dance and the waltz she loved so well had begun;
but Hardy's appearance and his good dancing allayed her rising anger.

"Do you dance much in England?" said Froken Jaeger.

"No," said Hardy; "I do not like it."

At length the time came for his dance with Froken Helga Lindal, and as
they stood up the personal beauty of both was remarked. Helga's
elastic movement on Hardy's arm, the ease with which she danced in
perfect time, and her bright manner had its effect on Hardy. He was
not quite sure but that he had just told Froken Jaeger a story, in
saying that he did not like dancing.

"You dance well, Froken Helga!" said Hardy.

"I can do nothing so well as you," replied Helga. "But my father would
wish to leave, and if you can arrange it, I shall thank you so much.
You can do what you like; we cannot."

A short time after, they were sitting behind the trotting horses, and
the Pastor thanked Hardy for his consideration. "They are kind
people," said he, "but they do not th