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appeared to her the symbol of all that was vulgar and coarse in human and
animal life。 Now she had even provided herself with a note…book； and
（to use once more the language of her unbelieving cousin） affected a half…
scientific interest in their clamorous pursuits。 She had made many vain
attempts to imitate their voices and to beguile them into closer intimacy；
and had found it hard at times to suppress her indignation when they
persisted in viewing her in the light of an intruder； and in returning her
amiable approaches with shy suspicion； as if they doubted the sincerity of
her intentions。
She was a little paler now； perhaps； than before； but her eyes had still
the same lustrous depth； and the same sweet serenity was still diffused
over her features； and softened； like a pervading tinge of warm color； the
grand simplicity of her presence。 She sat down on a large rock； picked
up a curiously twisted shell； and seeing a plover wading in the surf； gave a
soft； low whistle； which made the bird turn round and gaze at her with
startled distrust。 She repeated the call； but perhaps a little too eagerly；
and the bird spread its wings with a frightened cry； and skimmed； half
flying； half running； out over the glittering surface of the fjord。 But from
the rocks close by came a long melancholy whistle like that of a bird in
distress； and the girl rose and hastened with eager steps toward the spot。
She climbed up on a stone； fringed all around with green slimy sea… weeds；
in order to gain a wider view of the beach。 Then suddenly some huge
figure started up between the rocks at her feet； she gave a little scream； her
foot slipped； and in the next moment she layin Strand's arms。 He
offered no apology； but silently carried her over the slippery stones； and
deposited her tenderly upon the smooth white sand。 There it occurred to
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her that his attention was quite needless； but at the moment she was too
startled to make any remonstrance。
〃But how in the world； Mr。 Strand； did you come here？〃 she managed
at last to stammer。 〃We all thought that you had gone away。〃
〃I hardly know myself；〃 said Strand； in a beseeching undertone； quite
different from his usual confident bass。 〃I only know thatthat I was
very wretched； and that I had to come back。〃
Then there was a pause； which to both seemed quite interminable； and；
in order to fill it out in some way； Strand began to move his head and arms
uneasily； and at length seated himself at Augusta's side。 The blood was
beating with feverish vehemence in her temples； and for the first time in
her life she felt something akin to pity for this large； strong man； whose
strength and cheerful self…reliance had hitherto seemed to raise him above
the need of a woman's aid and sympathy。 Now the very shabbiness of his
appearance； and the look of appealing misery in his features； opened in her
bosom the gate through which compassion could enter； and； with that
generous self…forgetfulness which was the chief factor of her character； she
leaned over toward him； and said：
〃You must have been very sick； Mr。 Strand。 Why did you not come
to us and allow us to take care of you； instead of roaming about here in
this stony wilderness？〃
〃Yes； I have been sick；〃 cried Strand； with sudden vehemence； seizing
her hand； 〃but it is a sickness of which I shall never； never be healed。〃
And with that world…old eloquence which is yet ever new； he poured
forth his passionate confession in her ear； and she listened； hungrily at first；
then with serene； wide…eyed happiness。 He told her how； driven by his
inward restlessness； he had wandered about in the mountains； until one
evening at a saeter； he had heard a peasant lad singing a song； in which
this stanza occurred：
〃A woman's frown； a woman's smile； Nor hate nor
fondness prove； For maidens smile on him they hate；
And fly from him they love。〃
Then it had occurred to him for the first time in his life that a
woman's behavior need not be the logical indicator of her deepest feelings；
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TALES FROM TWO HEMISPHERES。
and； enriched with this joyful discovery； inspired with new hope； he had
returned； but had not dared at once to seek the Parsonage； until he could
invent some plausible reason for his return； but his imagination was very
poor； and he had found none； except that he loved the pastor's beautiful
daughter。
The evening wore on。 The broad mountain… guarded valley； flooded
now to the brim with a soft misty light； spread out about them； and filled
them with a delicious sense of security。 The fjord lifted its grave gaze
toward the sky； and deepened responsively with a bright； ever… receding
immensity。 The young girl felt this blessed peace gently stealing over her；
doubt and struggle were all past； and the sun shone ever serene and
unobscured upon the widening expanses of the future。 And in his breast；
too； that mood reigned in which life looks boundless and radiant； human
woes small or impossible； and one's own self large and all…conquering。
In that hour they remodeled this old and obstinate world of ours； never
doubting that； if each united his faith and strength with the other's； they
could together lift its burden。
That night was the happiest and most memorable night in the history
of the Gran Parsonage。 The pastor walked up and down on the floor；
rubbing his hands in quiet contentment。 Inga； to whom an engagement
was essentially a sol… emn affair； sat in a corner and gazed at her sister and
Strand with tearful radiance。 Arnfinn gave vent to his joy by bestowing
embraces promiscuously upon whomsoever chanced to come in his way。
This story； however； has a brief but not unimportant sequel。 It was
not many weeks after this happy evening that Arnfinn and the maiden with
the 〃amusingly unclassical nose〃 presented themselves in the pastor's
study and asked for his paternal and unofficial blessing。 But the pastor； I
am told； grew ve