ply, the lady summoned courage to examine the
unabashed visitor more closely. He was an elegantly formed man, and as
he gazed at her with his expressive eyes, interest and repugnance were
both created within her heart. The repugnance was caused by the fact
that the man wore a blue frieze coat, which unfortunate garment at once
dispelled her romantic dreams.

"Will you explain the cause of this unheard of impertinence?"

"That cause will very soon arrive."

"Very soon? You did not seek me then?"

"Not precisely."

"Then probably you wish to see my husband?"

"Yes."

"Am I at all concerned, then?"

"Slightly."

"Ah!" exclaimed Mrs. Ulrica, who now remembered her strange visitor's
first observation, "there must be a mystery about this which I do not
understand. You remarked that you were the husband of another."

"True."

"And furthermore you said you had a right to seek my husband in this
room?"

"You certainly know your alphabet."

"Then you have--O, what will become of us!--you have--a demand to make
of my husband."

"No, he has a claim on me, and this I will pay back, principal and
interest."

"O, the monster! The crocodile! He has been untrue to me."

"Yes, both in heart and desire; but my wife is not one who cries out, or
attempts to pull the bell-rope. She commands respect without so much
trouble."

"And do I not, also?"

"I do not know what you would do, if you should see a man, at this time
of night, crawl through your window, and attempt to bring you to
disgrace by the promise that he would release an old father from prison;
but I do know you have nothing to fear at present."

"You are then Mr. Ragnar Lonner?"

"I am."

"And for such a miserable reward--that woman--"

"What! Miserable reward!--that woman!--Well, that night lamp is not very
brilliant, but I can easily perceive that I have before me an old dutch
galleon, so badly rigged and managed, that I would prefer to crowd sail
and make my escape rather than to take her in tow. And you call my wife
that woman! Miserable reward!"

"I do not understand your gibberish, my good man: but that you are
unrefined and uneducated I can easily see, and I command you to quit my
room immediately."

"You would then force me to retreat, as my Magde drove back your
husband. Please try the experiment."

"Monster! Unfeeling wretch!" exclaimed she, "is this the manner to speak
to a lady, to an injured wife who is obliged to bemoan the infideli