quantity of provisions, especially corn-brandy,
tobacco, coffee, and sugar, consumed in hospitality in Norway, is almost
incredible; and retired as the Erlingsens might appear to dwell, they
were as hospitable, according to their opportunities, as any inhabitant
of Bergen or Christiana. They gave feasts at Christmas, and on every
occasion that they could devise. The occasion, on the particular
January day mentioned above, was the betrothment of one of the
house-maidens to a young farm-servant of the establishment. I do not
mean that this festival was anything like a marriage. It was merely an
engagement to be married; but this engagement is a much more formal and
public affair in Norway (and indeed wherever the people belong to the
Lutheran church) than with us. According to the rites of the Lutheran
church, there are two ceremonies,--one when a couple become engaged, and
another when they are married. In Norway, this betrothment gives the
couple a certain dignity beyond that of the unengaged, and more liberty
of companionship, together with certain rights in law. This makes up to
them for being obliged to wait so long as they often must before they
can marry. In a country, scattered over with farmers, like Norway,
where there are few money transactions, because people provide for their
own wants on their own little estates, servants do not shift their
places, and go from master to master, as with us. A young man and woman
have to wait long,--probably till some houseman dies or removes, before
they can settle; and then they are settled for life,--provided for till
death, if they choose to be commonly industrious and honest. The story
of this betrothment at Erlingsen's will explain what I have just said.

As Madame Erlingsen had two daughters growing up, and they were no less
active than the girls of a Norwegian household usually are, she had
occasion for only two maidens to assist in the business of the dwelling
and the dairy.

Of these two, the younger, Erica, was the maiden betrothed to-day. No
one perhaps rejoiced so much at the event as her mistress, both for
Erica's sake, and on account of her two young daughters. Erica was not
the best companion for them; and the servants of a Norwegian farmer are
necessarily the companions of the daughters of the house. There was
nothing wrong in Erica's conduct or temper towards the family. She had,
when confirmed, [Note 1] borne so high a character, that many plac