r and darker. No one spoke a word. Thus they went on for an
hour's space.

With great uneasiness had Susanna fancied for some time that she
observed Harald to reel in his saddle; but she endeavoured to persuade
herself that it might be only a delusion, which the unequal paces of the
horse occasioned, and by the thick snow-mist through which she saw him.
All around her had, in fact, a bewildering appearance, and seemed to her
waving and spectral. A dull cry from Mrs. Astrid broke the ghostly
silence--was this also a delusion? Harald's horse stood still, and was
without its rider. Of a truth, it was only too certain! Harald had,
seized by dizziness, fallen down beside his horse. He had borne for long
in silence the increasing pain in his shoulder and breast, and
endeavoured to conceal from himself, as well as from others, feelings of
feverish dizziness which seized his head. Even now, when it threatened
to overpower him, he would not allow it to be of any consequence. With
the help of the servant, he made several attempts to seat himself again
upon his horse, but in vain. He could no longer lift up his fevered
head. Lying upon the snow on his knees, and with silent misery, he
leaned his burning forehead against a piece of rock.

"Here, then, here shall we die!" said Mrs. Astrid, half aloud to
herself, in a gloomy voice; "and this young man must be sacrificed for
my sake. My fate is always the same!"

Then followed a moment of fearful silence. Men and animals stood
immoveable, and as if turned to stone, whilst the snow fell over them,
and seemed to threaten to bury them. But now a clear, cheerful voice
raised itself, and said--

"I see a flat rock yonder, which will shelter us from the snow. We must
carry him there!" And Susanna raised up Harald and seized his arm,
whilst the servant went before and made a path through the snow. About
forty paces from the place where they stood, a vaulted projecting rock
stretched forth, under which they could obtain shelter from the snow,
which reared itself in high walls around the open space.

"Support yourself on me; better--better! Fear not; I am strong!" said
Susanna, whilst she, with a soft but vigorous arm, embraced Harald. He
allowed himself to be led like a child: although he was not properly
conscious, still he felt a certain pleasure in submitting himself to the
young girl's guidance, who talked to him with such a mild and courageous
voice.

As commodiously as possible w