. But Britta's name recalled
the old woman to herself, and when she spoke again it was quite
collectedly, and in her usual harsh voice. She seemed to forget all that
she had just uttered, for she turned her eyes upon the _bonde_, as
though she had but then perceived him.

"So you are come, Olaf Gueldmar!" she said. "It is well--for the hand of
Death is upon me."

"It is well, indeed, if I can be of service, Lovisa Elsland," responded
Gueldmar, "though I am but a sorry consoler, holding as I do, that death
is the chief blessing, and in no way to be regretted at any time.
Moreover, when the body grows too weak to support the soul, 'tis as well
to escape from it with what speed we may."

"Escape--escape? Where?" asked Lovisa. "From the worm that dieth not?
From the devouring fame that is never quenched? From the torturing
thirst and heat and darkness of hell, who shall escape?"

"Nay, if that is all the comfort thy creed can give thee," said the
_bonde_, with a half-smile, "'tis but a poor staff to lean on!"

Lovisa looked at him mockingly. "And is thine so strong a prop to thy
pride?" she asked disdainfully. "Has Odin so endowed thee that thou
shouldst boast of him? Listen to me, Olaf Gueldmar--I have but little
strength remaining, and I must speak briefly. Thy wife--"

"What of her?" said the _bonde_ hastily. "Thou knewst her not."

"I knew her," said Lovisa steadily, "as the lightning knows the tree it
withers--as the sea knows the frail boat it wrecks for sport on a windy
day. Thou haughty Olaf! I knew her well even as the broken heart knows
its destroyer!"

Gueldmar looked perplexedly at Ulrika. "Surely she raves again?" he said.
Ulrika was silent.

"Rave? Tell him I do not rave!" cried Lovisa rising in her bed to utter
her words with more strength and emphasis. "May be I have raved, but
that is past! The Lord, who will judge and condemn my soul, bear witness
that I speak the truth! Olaf Gueldmar, rememberest thou the days when we
were young?"

"'Tis long ago, Lovisa!" replied the _bonde_ with brief gentleness.

"Long ago? It seems but yesterday! But yesterday I saw the world all
radiant with hope and joy and love--love that to you was a mere
pastime--but with _me_--" She shuddered and seemed to lose herself in a
maze of dreary recollections. "Love!" she presently muttered--"'love is
strong as death,--jealousy is cruel as the grave--the coals thereof are
coals of fire which hath a most vehement flame!' Ev