as Harald laid under the sheltering rock,
and Susanna took off her shawl, which she wore under her fur cloak, and
made of it a soft pillow for Harald. "Ah! that is good!" said he softly,
and pressed Susanna's hand, as he found himself relieved by this
position. Susanna returned now to her mistress.

"Susanna," said she, "I would also gladly get there. It seems safe
resting there; but I am so stiff that I can scarcely move myself."

Susanna helped her lady from her horse; and guided and supported by her,
Mrs. Astrid reached the sheltering vault. Here, in comparison with that
of the open plain, the air was almost of a mild temperature, for the
rock walls and the piled-up snow prevented the cold wind from entering.
Here Susanna placed softly her lady, who was almost stiffened with cold
and fatigue.

Susanna also was frozen and weary; but, oh, what a southern clime of
life and warmth cannot love and a strong will call forth in a human
being! It was these powers which now impelled the young girl's pulse,
and let the blood rush warm from the chambers of her heart to her very
finger ends. She rubbed the stiffened limbs of her mistress, she warmed
them with kisses and tears, she warmed her with her throbbing breast.
She prevailed upon her to drink from a bottle of wine, and prepared also
for Harald's parched and thirsty lips a refreshing draught of wine and
water. She moistened her handkerchief with snow, and laid it upon his
aching brow. Around them both she piled cloaks and articles of clothing,
so that both were protected from the cold. Then stood she for a moment
silent, with a keen and serious look. She was thinking on what was
further to be done to save these two.

Harald had raised himself on his sound arm, and looked silently down
with the pain which a manly nature experiences when it is compelled to
renounce one of its noblest impulses--sustaining and helping the weak
who are confided to their care. A tear--the first Susanna had ever seen
him shed, ran down his cheek.

Mrs. Astrid gazed with a mournful look up to the grave-like vault.

But Susanna's eyes beamed even brighter. "Hark, hark!" said she, and
listened.

Mrs. Astrid and Harald fixed upon her inquiring looks.

"I hear a noise," resumed Susanna, "a noise like that of a great
waterfall."

"It is the roar of the Storlie-force!" exclaimed Harald, for a moment
animated--"but what good of that?" continued he, and sunk down
disheartened, "we are three mile