n two
people have lived together as long as we have, separation is a mere
figure of speech. People do not separate after twenty-two years of
married life, even if each goes a different road for a time.

But why talk of the future. The present concerns us more nearly, and
interests me far more.

Come, then, dear friend, and I will give you such a welcome that you
will not regret the journey.

* * * * *

Joergen Malthe paid me a flying visit last week. Business brought him
into the neighbourhood, and he called unexpectedly and spent an hour
with me.

I must say he has altered, and not for the better.

I hope he will not wear himself out prematurely with all his work.

If you should see him, do not say I mentioned his visit. It was rather
painful. He was shy, and I, too, was nervous. One cannot spend a whole
year alone on an island without feeling bewildered by the sudden
apparition of a fellow-creature....

Tell your chauffeur to get the car ready. Should you find the
neighbourhood very fascinating, you could always telegraph to him to
bring it at once.

If the manufactory, or any other plans, prevent your coming, send me a
few lines. Till we meet,

Your ELSIE,

who perhaps after all is not suited to a hermit's life.

* * * * *

So he has dared!...

So all his passion, and his grief at parting, were purely a part that he
played!... Who knows? Perhaps he was really glad to get rid of me....

Ah, but this scorn and contempt!...

Elsie Lindtner, do you realise that in the same year, the same month,
you have offered yourself to two men in succession and both have
declined the honour? Luckily there is no one else to whom you can abase
yourself.

One of these days, depend upon it, Richard will eat his heart out with
regret. But then it will be too late, my dear man, too late!

That he should have dared to replace me by a mere chit of nineteen!

The whole town must be laughing at him. And I can do nothing....

But I am done for. Nothing is left to me, but to efface myself as soon
as possible. I cannot endure the thought of being pitied by anyone,
least of all by Richard.

How badly I have played my cards! I who thought myself so clever!

Good heavens! I understand the women who throw vitriol in the face of a
rival. Unhappily I am too refined for such reprisals.

But if I had her here--whoever she ma