asked, in English.

At the first contact Magnhild had become startled; she was conscious of
Roennaug's eyes, of her breath; and Roennaug's arm encircled her like an
iron bar, although there certainly was no pressure.

"Will you go with me through the country in this--in this carriage,
Magnhild?" she heard once more, this time in a blending of the dialect
of the parish and English, and the voice trembled.

"Yes," whispered Magnhild.

Roennaug released her, went to the other window, and did not look round
again.

"Is the carriage from America?"

"London."

"How much did you give for it?"

"Charles bought it."

"Is your husband with you?"

"Yes--ja," and she added, brokenly, "Not here; Constantinople--delivery
of guns--in September we are to meet--Liverpool." And then she looked up
at Magnhild with wide open eyes. What did she mean?

Magnhild wished to go. Roennaug accompanied her down-stairs, and they
both went out to inspect the carriage, about which stood a group of
people who now fell back somewhat. Roennaug pointed out to Magnhild how
comfortable the carriage was, and while her head was still inside she
asked,--

"Your rooms up-stairs, are they to let?"

"No, it would give me too much trouble."

Roennaug hastily said "good-night," and ran up the steps.

Magnhild had not gone very far before she felt that she certainly ought
to have offered those rooms to Roennaug. Should she turn back? Oh, no.

This was one of Magnhild's wakeful nights. Roennaug had frightened her.
And this journey? Never in the world would she undertake it.

CHAPTER X.

When she left her chamber after ten o'clock, the first object she beheld
was Roennaug, who was coming up from the coast town, and was on her way
to call on Magnhild--no, not on Magnhild, but on the priest, the young
curate, who lived at Magnhild's house, in the former saddler workshop.
Roennaug at the priest's? At eleven o'clock she was still with him. And
when she came out, accompanied by the curate, a shy young man, she
merely put her head in Magnhild's door, greeted her, and disappeared
again with the curate.

Magnhild found still greater cause for wonder, for later in the day she
saw Roennaug in company with Grong. This wounded her, she could scarcely
tell why. The following day Roennaug called in as she passed by; various
people were discussed whom it had entertained Roennaug to meet, but not a
word was said about the journey. Several days went by