now, how you go. I
have only given you the oars; I don't like to trust you with a sail in
the boat."

He stood for some time looking after his son as he rowed sturdily away,
and then went up to the look-out, where he began to walk up and down
with his hands behind his back in his usual manner. His restlessness of
mind, however, soon drove him back again to the house, where he remained
alone nearly the whole day.

The first intensity of his anger had so far worked itself off now, that
he could think clearly; and the chief feeling which possessed him was
one of wonder as to what could have come over her all of a sudden like
this. It could hardly be that scene which they had had when he last went
to sea--it had not been the first of its kind. No--it must be something
else; it must have been something which had occurred in Arendal. She had
spoken of Fru Beck's unhappy married life with a certain significance,
as if it bore upon their own. That was evidently it--she had been
talking to Fru Beck; she must have been put up to it by her old friend.

"What gratitude I do owe these Becks!" he exclaimed; "it seems as if
every trouble must come from that owl's nest."

"She has gone and thought all this at home here, concealing it from me
the whole time, submitting, and saying nothing. Now she has found her
opportunity. And over there, in Arendal, she could, of course, count
upon being able to make her own terms against her husband, the unpopular
pilot--could be sure of having every one on her side, from her aunt to
these same Becks."

Yes; and what was the real history of her connection with the Becks? He
had never had that matter satisfactorily cleared up.

"She stipulated that I should trust her--wouldn't hear mention of a
doubt. But I have never felt satisfied about that business."

"I'll not be fooled by you any longer," he cried then, flying into a
sudden passion, and striding up and down the room. "It is she who must
give me an explanation; it is she who has trampled me under foot!"

He sat down at the table and pursued this train of thought.

"Elizabeth! Elizabeth! what have you done?" he whispered, presently,
with emotion, and hid his forehead in his hands.

"Yes, what has she done? Nothing, I firmly believe; and that it is just
you, Salve, who are mad! Ah! if I could only really believe that there
was nothing to quarrel about, after all! And I can believe it, if I have
only been with her for a while," he sighed