en weeping with anger and
disappointment; but there was abundance of elasticity in her; now came
the rebound. Their fall from the triumphant elevation of half-an-hour
ago had been so precipitous that when Joergen's misery was added as a
finishing touch, the whole became ridiculous. She laughed so heartily,
so exhilaratingly, that even Joergen was cured. A quarter of an hour
later the two went out to order a good dinner, with champagne. They had
agreed to take a walk whilst it was being prepared. But no sooner did
they feel the delicious fresh air, than Joergen rushed upstairs again and
telephoned to Krogskogen that they were coming out to dine there. It was
a good two hours' walk by the new coast-road--how they would enjoy it!

They set off at a rapid pace. It was the very weather for walking, this
bright, cool autumn day with the fresh breeze.

The road followed the coast line, rounding all the rocky headlands; they
looked forward to the constant changes--from shore to height, from
height to shore. On the sea, dark blue to-day, sailing ships and columns
of smoke were to be seen, far as the eye could reach. It being Sunday,
there were also pleasure-boats out, some gliding about among the
islands, others venturing out to the open sea.

At their quick pace, the two young people were soon in the outskirts of
the town. They passed a pretty little house in a garden.

"Who lives there?" asked Mary, admiring it.

"Miss Roey, the doctor," answered Joergen, immediately adding: "Our
annoyance and disappointment made me forget to tell you that I met Frans
Roey in town."

Unconsciously Mary stood still; involuntarily she blushed. "Frans Roey?"
she repeated, looking hard at him--then walked on without waiting for an
answer.

"He is here to inspect the operations at the harbour. You know that
Irgens is dead."

"The engineer? is he dead?"

"They say now that Captain Roey will probably take his place."

"Is it work for a man like him?"

"Many are no doubt asking the same question--asking what brings him
here," laughed Joergen.

Mary looked at him and he at Mary. Then he went nearer to her. "But now
he comes too late."

He had expected an understanding glance in answer--possibly with a
little happiness in it. She walked on without looking at him, and
without speaking.

They were silent for a long time, walking fast in the refreshing autumn
breeze. At last she turned towards him, with the intention of giving him
a plea