and have laid in a stock of health
and wisdom, it is to be hoped, that will last us for some time to come."

"That sounds very much like the beginning of a formal speech," said
Grant.

"Hold your tongue, Grant," retorted Temple, "I have not yet done. As I
have said, we have been successful in gaining the ends for which we came
here. We have seen the sun rise without setting. Sam Sorrel has filled
a large portfolio with beautiful sketches of, perhaps, the finest
scenery in Europe. Grant has shot and stuffed I am afraid to say how
many birds of all kinds, besides making a large collection of rare
plants; and Fred Temple has caught about five hundred pounds' weight of
salmon--not to mention hundreds of trout--"

"Good," said Sam, "and very correctly stated. You are fit for the House
of Commons, my friend."

"Sam, be silent!--Now this being the case, it is time that we should
think of returning to our native land. I will, therefore, make
arrangements for setting sail in two or three days. But before leaving
I will bring to a point a little plot which I have been hatching ever
since I landed in Norway. I won't tell you what it is just yet, but I
must have your help, Sam."

"Command my services, sir," said Sam, with a wave of his hand. "I am
your servant, your Eastern slave, ready, if need be, to prostrate myself
in the earth and rub my nose in the dust."

"Good. I accept your offer," said Fred, "and my first command is, that
you take your brushes and paint me a Norwegian bride in the course of
this forenoon!"

"Why, your orders cannot be obeyed," cried Sam in surprise. "Where am I
to find a bride on such short notice? You are more unreasonable than
the most tyrannical of sultans."

"Nevertheless," replied Fred calmly, "I issue my commands, and in order
to relieve your mind of anxiety, I will find a bride for you."

"Where, then, is this bride, O wizard?" asked Sam with a laugh.

"Behold her!" cried Fred, starting up and throwing open the door, from
which could be seen the shore and the fiord with its background of noble
hills.

Sam and Grant started up with sudden exclamations, and stared at the
object which met their gaze in speechless wonder. And truly there was
cause for astonishment; for there, on the shore, close to the water's
edge, stood the fair Raneilda, clothed in the gorgeous costume of a
Norwegian bride.

"Assuredly you are a wizard," cried Grant, glancing at his friend.

"Not so,"