en he
rose to propose or reply to a toast, there was not a lady at the table
who was not in a flutter of inward admiration. With his social
advantages he could not, of course, fail to be in a position of
considerable influence in the town, which again heightened his welcome
in society.

But if he was thus made much of, it was not altogether the same with his
wife. The estimate of her which generally prevailed, that she was so
perfectly "correct," was not intended perhaps to be complimentary, but
implied at the same time a recognition of her social power. She was, in
fact, her husband's timepiece, and without her tact he would not have
kept himself as straight as he did in the midst of the gushing welcomes
which he found on all sides.

In his relations with his wife he was a pink of chivalry, never omitted
the most trifling attention, and was always being complimented on being
a pattern husband. Some few of the intimates of the house seemed to
think, though, that there was something strange in their attitude to one
another--a sort of coolness and reserve about both--and it was whispered
that his wife did not appreciate him as she ought; it seemed as if the
two talked together best when strangers were present. Fru Beck, too,
always looked so uncommonly pale, and was so frigidly calm, that it
might have been supposed she had no feelings at all; and in comparison
with his overflowing warmth of nature she certainly did seem dreadfully
precise and cold.

When they first came to Frederiksvaern as a young newly-married couple,
her colour had been fresh, and her expression showed that she was still
in love; she was then completely under the spell of his attractive
warmth of manner, and felt safe in the possession of his love. It was
true, a couple of failings, which contrasted strangely with the idea she
had formed of him from his manly bearing, had gradually disclosed
themselves--namely, an extraordinary vanity, and an almost ridiculous
dependence upon the opinion of the world. But so long as his heart was
in the right place, and she could feel that he loved her, these
disappointments were matters of but secondary consideration to her. She
felt that she even loved him all the more for these weaknesses; and she
trusted to the power which she was gaining over him more and more every
day to get them presently corrected.

The charming Lieutenant Beck became sought after everywhere, and his
success with the ladies resulted in h