-like between earth and
sky, and daring to call itself a _Christian_! Faugh! Were I the Christ,
I should sicken at sight of you!"

Dyceworthy made no reply, but his little eyes glittered evilly.

Errington, not desiring any further prolongation of the scene, managed
to draw the irate _bonde_ away, saying in a low tone--

"We've had enough of this, sir! Let us get home to Thelma."

"I was about to suggest a move," added Lorimer. "We are only wasting
time here."

"Ah!" exclaimed Duprez radiantly--"and Monsieur Dyceworthy will be glad
to be in bed! He will be very stiff to-morrow, I am sure! Here is a lady
who will attend him."

This with a courteous salute to the wooden-faced Ulrika, who suddenly
confronted them in the little passage. She seemed surprised to see them,
and spoke in a monotonous dreamy tone, as though she walked in her
sleep.

"The girl has gone?" she added slowly.

Duprez nodded briskly. "She has gone! And let me tell you, madame, that
if it had not been for you, she would not have come here at all. You
took that card to her?"

Ulrika frowned. "I was compelled," she said. "_She_ made me take it. I
promised." She turned her dull eyes slowly on Gueldmar. "It was Lovisa's
fault. Ask Lovisa about it." She paused, and moistened her dry lips with
her tongue. "Where is your crazy lad?" she asked, almost anxiously. "Did
he come with you?"

"He is dead!" answered Gueldmar, with grave coldness.

"Dead!" And to their utter amazement, she threw up her arms and burst
into a fit of wild laughter. "Dead! Thank God! Thank God! Dead! And
through no fault of mine! The Lord be praised! He was only fit for
death--never mind how he died--it is enough that he is dead--dead! I
shall see him no more--he cannot curse me again!--the Lord be thankful
for all His mercies!"

And her laughter ceased--she threw her apron over her head and broke
into a passion of weeping.

"The woman must be crazy!" exclaimed the _bonde_, thoroughly
mystified,--then placing his arm through Errington's, he said
impatiently, "You're right, my lad! We've had enough of this. Let us
shake the dust of this accursed place off our feet and get home. I'm
tired out!"

They left the minister's dwelling and made straight for the shore, and
were soon well on their journey back to the farm across the Fjord. This
time the tide was with them--the evening was magnificent, and the
coolness of the breeze, the fresh lapping of the water against the boat,