lightedstreets，withadelicioussenseofsnugnessandsecurity，beingallthemorecloselyunitedfortheirquarrel。Here，fartheruptheavenue，theyhadoncebeentoaparty，andhehaddancedforthefirsttimeinhislifewithEdith。HerewasDelmonico’s，wheretheyhadhadsuchfascinatingluncheonstogether;whereshehadgotastainonherdress，andhehadbeenforcedtoobservethatherdresswasthennotreallyapartofherself，sinceitwasathingthatcouldnotbestained。Herdresshadalwaysseemedtohimassomethingabsoluteandfinal，exaltedabovecriticism，incapableofimprovement。
　　AsIhavesaid，Halfdanwalkedbrisklyuptheavenue，anditwassomethingafterelevenwhenhereachedthehousewhichhesought。Thegreatcloud—bankinthenorthhadthenbeguntoexpandandstretcheditslongmistyarmseastwardandwestwardovertheheavens。Thewindowsontheground—floorweredark，butthesleepingapartmentsintheupperstorieswerelighted。InEdith’sroomtheinsideshutterswereclosed，butoneofthewindowswasalittledownatthetop。Andashestoodgazingwithtremuloushappinessuptothatwindow，astanzafromHeinewhichheandEdithhadoftenreadtogether，cameintohishead。ItwasthestoryoftheyouthwhogoestotheMadonnaatKevlarandbringsherasavotiveofferingaheartofwax，thatshemayhealhimofhisloveandhissorrow。
　　"Ibringthiswaxenimage，Theimageofmyheart，Healthoumybittersorrow，Andcuremydeadlysmart！"[4]
　　[4]Translation，from"Exotics。ByJ。F。C。&C。L。"
　　Thencamethethoughtthatforhim，too，asforthepooryouthofCologne，therewashealingonlyindeath。AndstillinthismomenthewassonearEdith，shouldseeherperhaps，andthejoyatthiswasstrongerthanallelse，strongereventhandeath。Sohesatdownbesidethestepsofthemansionopposite，wheretherewassomeshelterfromthewind，andwaitedpatientlytillEdithshouldcloseherwin—
　　dow。Hewascold，perhaps，but，ifso，hehardlyknewit，forthenearjoyofseeingherthrobbedwarmlyinhisveins。Ah，there——theblindswerethrownopen;Edith，inallthelithemagnificenceofherwonderfulform，stoodoutclearandbeautifulagainstthelightwithin;shepushedupthelowerwindowinordertoreachtheupperone，andforamomentleanedoutoverthesill。Oncemoreherwondrousprofiletraceditselfinstrongreliefagainsttheoutergloom。Therecameacryfromthestreetbelow，afeebleinvoluntaryone，butstilldistinctlyaudible。Edithpeeredanxiouslyoutintothedarkness，butthedarknesshadgrowndenserandshecouldseenothing。Thewindowwasfastened，theshuttersclosed，andthebroadpathwayoflightwhichshehadflungoutuponthenighthadvanished。
　　Halfdanclosedhiseyestryingtoretainthehappyvision。Yes，thereshestoodstill，andtherewasaheavenlysmileuponherlips——ugh，heshivered——thesnowsweptinawildwhirlupthestreet。Hewrappedhisplaidmorecloselyabouthim，andstrainedhiseyestocatchonemoreglimpseofthebelovedEdith。Ah，yes;
　　thereshewasagain;shecamenearerandnearer，andshetouchedhischeek，gently，warilysmilingallthewhilewithastrangewistfulsmilewhichwassurelynotEdith’s。There，shebentoverhim，——touchedhimagain，——howcoldherhandswere;thetouchchilledhimtotheheart。
　　Thesnowhadnowbeguntofallinlargescatteredflakes，whirlingfitfullythroughtheair，followingeverychancegustofwind，butstillfalling，falling，andcoveringtheearthwithitswhite，death—likeshroud。
　　Butsurely——therewasEdithagain，——howwonderful！——inalongsnow—whiterobe，graveandgracious，stillwiththewistfulsmileonherlips。See，shebeckonstohimwithherhand，andherisestofollow，butsomethingheavyclingstohisfeetandhecannotstirfromthespot。Hetriestocryforhelp，buthecannot，——
　　canonlystretchouthishandstoher，andfeelveryunhappythathecannotfollowher。Butnowshepausesinherflight，turnsabout，andheseesthatshewearsamyrtlegarlandinherhairlikeabride。Shecomestowardhim，hercountenanceallradiantwithloveandhappiness，andshestoopsdownoverhimandspeaks：
　　"Come;theyarewaitingforus。Iwillfollowtheeinlifeandindeath，whereverthougoest。Come，"repeatsEdith，"theyhavelongbeenwaiting。Theyareallhere。"
　　Andheimaginesheknowswhotheyallare，althoughhehasneverheardofthem，norcanherecalltheirnames。
　　"But——but，"hestammers，"I——I——amaforeigner"
　　Itappearedthenthatforsomereasonthiswasaninsurmountableobjection。AndEdith’shappinessdiesoutofherbeautifulface，andsheturnsawayweeping。
　　"Edith，beloved！"
　　Thensheisoncemoreathisside。
　　"Thouartnomoreaforeignertome，beloved。
　　Whateverthouart，Iam。"
　　Andshepressesherlipstohis——itwasthesweetestkissofhislife——thekissofdeath。
　　Thenextmorning，asEdith，afterhavingputthelasttouchtohertoilet，threwtheshuttersopen，agreatglareofsun—smittensnowburstuponherandforamomentblindedhereyes。
　　Onthesidewalkopposite，halfadozenmenwithsnow—shovelsintheirhandsandacoupleofpolicemanhadcongregated，and，judgingbytheirmanner，werediscussingsomeobjectofinterest。Presentlytheywerejoinedbyherfather，whohadjustfinishedhisbreakfastandwasonhiswaytotheoffice。Nowhestoopeddownandgazedatsomethinghalfconcealedinthesnow，thensuddenlystartedback，andasshecaughtaglimpseofhisface，shesawthatitwasghastlywhite。Aterribleforebodingseizedher。Shethrewashawlabouthershouldersandrusheddown—stairs。Inthehallshewasmetbyherfather，whowasjustentering，followedbyfourmen，carryingsomethingbetweenthem。Shewellknewwhatitwas。Shewouldfainhaveturnedaway，butshecouldnot：
　　graspingherfather’sarmandpressingithard，shegazedwithblank，frightenedeyesatthewhiteface，thelinesofwhichDeathhadsostrangelyemphasized。Thesnow—flakeswhichhunginhishairhadtouchedhimwiththeirsuddenage，asiftobridgethegulfbetweenyouthanddeath。Andstillhewasbeautiful——theclearbrow，thepeaceful，happyindolence，thefrozensmilewhichdeathhadperpetuated。
　　Smiling，hehaddepartedfromtheearthwhichhadnoplaceforhim，andsmilingenteredtherealmwhere，amongthemanymansions，thereis，perhaps，alsooneforagentle，simple—heartedenthusiast。
　　THESTORYOFANOUTCAST。
　　THEREwasanancientfeudbetweenthefamilies;andBjarneBlakstadwasnotthemantomakeitup，neitherwasHedinUllern。Sotheylookedaskanceateachotherwhenevertheymetonthehighway，andtheonetookcarenottocrosstheother’spath。ButonSundays，whenthechurch—
　　bellscalledtheparishionerstogether，theycouldnotverywellavoidseeingeachotheronthechurch—yard;andthen，oneday，manyyearsago，whenthesermonhadhappenedtotouchBjarne’sheart，hehadnoddedtoHedinandsaid："Fineweatherto—day;"andHedinhadreturnedthenodandanswered："Trueisthat。"
　　"NowIhavedonemydutybeforeGodandmen，"thoughtBjarne，"anditishisturntotakethenextstep。""Thefellowisproud，"
　　saidHedintohimself，"andhewantstoshowoffhisgenerosity。ButIknowthewolfbyhisskin，evenifhehaslearnedtobleatlikeaewe—lamb。"
　　Whatthefeudreallywasabout，theyhadbothnearlyforgotten。Alltheyknewwasthatsomethirtyyearsagotherehadbeenaquarrelbetweenthepastorandtheparishabouttherightofcarryingarmstothechurch。AndthenBjarne’sfatherhadbeenthespokesmanoftheparish，whileHedin’sgrandsirehadbeenastaunchdefenderofthepastor。Therewasarumor，too，thattheyhadhadafierceencountersomewhereinthewoods，andthattheonehadstabbedtheotherwithaknife;butwhetherthatwasreallytrue，noonecouldtell。
　　Bjarnewastallandgrave，liketheweather—
　　beatenfir—treesinhismast—forest。Hehadalargeclean—shavenface，narrowlips，andsmallfierceeyes。Heseldomlaughed，andwhenhedid，hislaughseemedevenfiercerthanhisfrown。Heworehishairlong，ashisfathershaddone，anddressedinthestylesoftwocenturiesago;hisbreecheswereclaspedwithlargesilverbucklesattheknees，andhisredjerkinwasgatheredabouthiswaistwithaleatherngirdle。Helovedeverythingthatwasold，indressaswellasinmanners，tooknonewspapers，andregardedrailroadsandsteamboatsasinventionsofthedevil。Bjarnehadmarriedlateinlife，andhismarriagehadbroughthimtwodaughters，BritaandGrimhild。
　　HedinUllernwaslookeduponasanupstart。
　　Hecouldonlycountthreegenerationsback，andhehardlyknewhimselfhowhisgrandfatherhadearnedthemoneythathadenabledhimtobuyafarmandsettledowninthevalley。Hehadreadagreatdeal，andwaswellinformedonthepoliticsoftheday;hisnamehadevenbeenmentionedforstorthingsmand，ormemberofparliamentfromthedistrict，anditwasthecommonopinion，thatifBjarneBlakstadhadnotsovigorouslyopposedhim，hewouldhavebeenelected，beingtheonly"cultivated"peasantinthevalley。Hedinwasnounwelcomeguestinthehousesofgentlefolks，andhewasoftenseenatthejudge’sandthepastor’somberparties。AndforallthisBjarneBlakstadonlyhatedhimthemore。Hedin’swife，Thorgerda，wasfair—haired，tallandstout，anditwasshewhomanagedthefarm，whileherhusbandreadhisbooks，andstudiedpoliticsinthenewspapers;butshehadasharptongueandherneighborswereafraidofher。Theyhadoneson，whosenamewasHalvard。
　　BritaBlakstad，Bjarne’seldestdaughter，wasamaidwhomitwasajoytolookupon。Theycalledher"Glitter—Brita，"becauseshewasfondofringsandbrooches，andeverythingthatwasbright;whileshewasstillachild，sheoncetooktheoldfamilybridal—crownoutfromthestorehouseandcarrieditaboutonherhead。
　　"Bewareofthatcrown，child，"herfatherhadsaidtoher，"andwearitnotbeforethetime。
　　Thereisnotalwaysblessinginthebridalsilver。"Andshelookedwonderinglyupintohiseyesandanswered："Butitglitters，father;"andfromthattimeforththeyhadnamedherGlitter—Brita。
　　AndGlitter—Britagrewuptobeafairandwinsomemaiden，andwherevershewentthewooersflockedonherpath。Bjarneshookhisheadather，andoftenhadharshwordsuponhislips，whenhesawherbraidingfield—
　　flowersintoheryellowtressesorclaspingtheshiningbroochestoherbodice;butalookofhersorasmilewouldcompletelydisarmhim。Shehadamerrywayofdoingthingswhichmadeitallseemlikeplay;butworkwentrapidlyfromherhands，whileherringinglaughterechoedthroughthehouse，andhersunnypresencemadeitbrightintheduskyancestralhalls。Inherkitchenthelongrowsofcopperpotsandpolishedkettlesshoneuponthewalls，andtheneatlyscouredmilk—pailsstoodlikesoldiersonparadeabouttheshelvesundertheceiling。Bjarnewouldoftensitforhourswatchingher，andastrangespring—feelingwouldstealintohisheart。Hefeltafather’sprideinherstatelygrowthandherrichwomanlybeauty。
　　"Ah！"hewouldsaytohimself，"shehasthepurebloodinherveinsand，astrueasIlive，thefarmshallbehers。"Andthen，quitecontrarytohishabits，hewouldindulgeinalittlereverie，imaginingthetimewhenhe，asanagedman，shouldhavegiventheestateoverintoherhands，andseeingherasaworthymatronpresideatthetable，andhimselfrockinghisgrandchildrenonhisknee。Nowonder，then，thatheeyedcloselytheyoungladswhowerebeginningtohoveraboutthehouse，andthathelookedwithsuspicionuponthosewhoselectedSaturdaynightsfortheirvisits。[5]
　　WhenBritawastwentyyearsold，however，herfatherthoughtthatitwastimeforhertomakeherchoice。Thereweremanyfine，braveladsinthevalley，and，asBjarnethought，Britawouldhavethegoodsensetochoosethefinestandthebravest。So，whenthewintercame，hesuddenlyflunghisdoorsopentotheyouthoftheparish，andbegantogivepartieswithaleandmeadinthegrandoldstyle。Heeventalkedwiththeyoungmen，attimes，encouragedthemtomanlysports，andurgedthemtotasteofhishome—breweddrinksandtotreadthespring—dancebriskly。AndBritadancedandlaughedsothatherhairflewaroundherandthesilverbroochestinkledandrangonherbosom。Butwhenthemerrimentwasatanend，andanyoneoftheladsremainedbehindtoofferherhishand，shesuddenlygrewgrave，toldhimshewastooyoung，thatshedidnotknowherself，andthatshehadhadnotimeasyettodecidesoseriousaquestion。Thusthewinterpassedandthesummerdrewnear。
　　[5]InthecountrydistrictsofNorwaySaturdayeveningisregardedas"thewooer’seve。"
　　InthemiddleofJune，Britawenttothesaeter[6]
　　withthecattle;andhersister，Grimhild，remainedathometokeephouseonthefarm。Shelovedthelifeinthemountains;thegreatsolitudesometimesmadeherfeelsad，butitwasnotanunpleasantsadness，itwasratheragentletoningdownofalltheshrillandnoisyfeelingsofthesoul。Upthere，intheheartoftheprimevalforest，herwholebeingseemedtoherselfasymphonyofmelodiouswhisperswithavaguedelicioussenseofremotenessandmysteryinthem，whichsheonlyfeltanddidnotattempttoexplain。There，thoseweirdlegendswhich，informerdays，stillheldtheirswayinthefancyofeveryNorsewoman，breathedtheirsecretsintoherear，andshefelthernearnessandkinshiptonature，asatnoothertime。
　　[6]ThesaeterisaplaceinthemountainswheretheNorwegianpeasantsspendtheirsummerspasturingtheircattle。
　　Everylargefarmhasitsownsaeter，consistingofoneormorechalets，hedgedinbyafenceofstoneorplanks。
　　Onenight，asthesunwaslow，andapurplebluishsmokehunglikeathinveiloverthetopsoftheforest，Britahadtakenoutherknittingandseatedherselfonalargemoss—grownstone，onthecroft。Hereyeswanderedoverthebroadvalleywhichwasstretchedoutbelow，andshecouldseetheredroofsoftheBlakstadmansionpeepingforthbetweenthefir—trees。Andshewonderedwhattheyweredoingdownthere，whetherGrimhildhaddonemilking，andwhetherherfatherhadreturnedfromtheford，whereitwashishabitatthishourtoridewiththefootmentowaterthehorses。Asshesatthuswondering，shewasstartledbyacreakinginthedrybrancheshardby，andliftinghereye，shesawatall，ratherclumsilybuilt，youngmanemergingfromthethicket。Hehadabroadbutlowforehead，flaxenhairwhichhungdownoverapairofdullox—likeeyes;hismouthwasratherlargeand，asitwashalfopen，displayedtwomassiverowsofshiningwhiteteeth。Hisredpeakedcaphungonthebackofhisheadand，althoughitwassummer，histhickwadmalvestwasbuttonedcloseuptohisthroat;overhisrightarmhehadflunghisjacket，andinhishandheheldabridle。
　　"Goodevening，"saidBrita，"andthanksforlastmeeting;"althoughshewasnotsurethatshehadeverseenhimbefore。
　　"Itwasthatbaymare，youknow，"stammeredthemaninahalfapologetictone，andshookthebridle，asifinfurtherexplanation。
　　"Ah，youhavelostyourmare，"saidthegirl，andshecouldnothelpsmilingathishelplessnessandhisawkwardmanner。
　　"Yes，itwasthebaymare，"answeredhe，inthesamediffidenttone;then，encouragedbyhersmile，hestraightenedhimselfalittleandcontinuedrathermorefluently："Sheneverwasquiterightsincethetimethewolveswereafterher。Andthensincetheytookthecoltawayfromherthemilkhasbeentroublingher，andshehasn’tbeenquitelikeherself。"
　　"Ihaven’tseenheranywherehereabouts，"
　　saidBrita;"youmayhavetowanderfar，beforeyougetonthetrackofher。"
　　"Yes，thatisverylikely。AndIamtiredalready。"
　　"Won’tyousitdownandrestyourself？"
　　Hedeliberatelyseatedhimselfinthegrass，andgraduallygainedcouragetolookherstraightintheface;andhisdulleyeremainedsteadfastlyfixedonherinawaywhichbespokeunfeignedsurpriseandadmiration。Slowlyhismouthbroadenedintoasmile;buthissmilehadmoreofsadnessthanofjoyinit。Shehad，fromthemomentshesawhim，beenpossessedofastrangelypatronizingfeelingtowardhim。
　　Shecouldnotbuttreathimasifhehadbeenagirlorsomepersoninferiortoherinstation。
　　Inspiteofhislargebody，theimpressionhemadeuponherwasthatofweakness;butshelikedthesincerityandkindnesswhichexpressedthemselvesinhissadsmileandlarge，honestblueeyes。Hisgazeremindedherofthatofanox，butithadnotonlytheox’sdullness，butalsoitssimplicityandgood—nature。
　　Theysattalkingonforawhileabouttheweather，thecattle，andtheprospectsofthecrops。
　　"Whatisyourname？"sheasked，atlast。
　　"HalvardHedinsonUllern。"
　　Asuddenshockranthroughheratthesoundofthatname;inthenextmomentadeepblushstoleoverhercountenance。
　　"Andmyname，"shesaid，slowly，"isBritaBjarne’sdaughterBlakstad。"
　　Shefixedhereyesuponhim，asiftoseewhateffectherwordsproduced。Buthisfeaturesworethesamesadandplacidexpression;
　　andnolineinhisfaceseemedtobetrayeithersurpriseorill—will。Thenhersenseofpatronagegrewintooneofsympathyandpity。"Hemusteitherbeweak—mindedorveryunhappy，"
　　thoughtshe，"andwhatrighthaveIthentotreathimharshly。"Andshecontinuedhersimple，straightforwardtalkwiththeyoungman，untilhe，too，grewalmosttalkative，andthesadnessofhissmilebegantogivewaytosomethingwhichalmostresembledhappiness。
　　Shenoticedthechangeandrejoiced。Atlast，whenthesunhadsunkbehindthewesternmountaintops，sheroseandbadehimgood—
　　night;inanothermomentthedoorofthesaeter—
　　cottageclosedbehindher，andheheardherboltingitontheinside。Butforalongtimeheremainedsittingonthegrass，andstrangethoughtspassedthroughhishead。Hehadquiteforgottenhisbaymare。
　　Thenexteveningwhenthemilkingwasdone，andthecattleweregatheredwithinthesaeterenclosure，Britawasagainsittingonthelargestone，lookingoutoverthevalley。Shefeltakindofcompanionshipwiththepeoplewhenshesawthesmokewhirlingupfromtheirchimneys，andshecouldguesswhattheyweregoingtohaveforsupper。Asshesatthere，sheagainheardacreakinginthebranches，andHalvardUllernstoodagainbeforeher，withhisjacketonhisarm，andthesamebridleinhishand。
　　"Youhavenotfoundyourbaymareyet？"
　　sheexclaimed，laughingly。"Andyouthinksheislikelytobeinthisneighborhood？"
　　"Idon’tknow，"heanswered;"andIdon’tcareifsheisn’t。"
　　Hespreadhisjacketonthegrass，andsatdownonthespotwherehehadsatthenightbefore。Britalookedathiminsurpriseandremainedsilent;shedidn’tknowhowtointerpretthissecondvisit。
　　"Youareveryhandsome，"hesaid，suddenly，withagravitywhichleftnodoubtastohissincerity。
　　"Doyouthinkso？"sheanswered，withamerrylaugh。Heappearedtoheralmostachild，anditneverenteredhermindtofeeloffended。Onthecontrary，shewasnotsurebutthatshefeltpleased。
　　"Ihavethoughtofyoueversinceyesterday，"
　　hecontinued，withthesameimperturbablemanner。"Andifyouwerenotangrywithme，I
　　thoughtIwouldliketolookatyouoncemore。
　　Youaresodifferentfromotherfolks。"
　　"Godblessyourfoolishtalk，"criedBrita，withafreshburstofmerriment。"No，indeedIamnotangrywithyou;Ishouldjustassoonthinkofbeingangrywith——withthatcalf，"
　　sheaddedforwantofanothercomparison。
　　"YouthinkIdon’tknowmuch，"hestammered。"AndIdon’t。"Thesadsmileagainsettledonhiscountenance。
　　Afeelingofguiltsentthebloodthrobbingthroughherveins。Shesawthatshehaddonehiminjustice。Heevidentlypossessedmoresense，oratleastafinerinstinct，thanshehadgivenhimcreditfor。
　　"Halvard，"shefaltered，"ifIhaveoffendedyou，IassureyouIdidn’tmeantodoit;andathousandtimesIbegyourpardon。"
　　"Youhaven’toffendedme，Brita，"answeredhe，blushinglikeagirl。"Youarethefirstonewhodoesn’tmakemefeelthatIamnotsowiseasotherfolks。"
　　Shefeltitherdutytobeopenandconfidingwithhiminreturn;andinordernottoseemungenerous，orrathertoputthemonanequalfootingbygivinghimalsoapeepintoherheart，shetoldhimaboutherdailywork，aboutthemerrypartiesatherfather’shouse，andaboutthelustyladswhogatheredintheirhallstodancetheHallingandthespring—dance。Helistenedattentivelywhileshespoke，gazingearnestlyintoherface，butneverinterruptingher。Inhisturnhedescribedtoherinhisslowdeliberateway，howhisfatherconstantlyscoldedhimbecausehewasnotbright，anddidnotcareforpoliticsandnewspapers，andhowhismotherwoundedhimwithhersharptonguebymakingmerrywithhim，eveninthepresenceoftheservantsandstrangers。Hedidnotseemtoimaginethattherewasanythingwronginwhathesaid，orthatheplacedhimselfinaludicrouslight;nordidheseemtospeakfromanyunmanlycravingforsympathy。HismannerwassosimpleandstraightforwardthatwhatBritaprobablywouldhavefoundstrangeinanother，shefoundperfectlynaturalinhim。
　　Itwasnearlymidnightwhentheyparted{。}
　　Shehardlysleptatallthatnight，andshewashalfvexedwithherselffortheinterestshetookinthissimpleyouth。Thenextmorningherfathercameuptopayheravisitandtoseehowtheflockswerethriving。SheunderstoodthatitwouldbedangeroustosayanythingtohimaboutHalvard，forsheknewhistemperandfearedtheresult，ifheshouldeverdiscoverhersecret。Therefore，sheshunnedanopportunitytotalkwithhim，andonlybusiedherselfthemorewiththecattleandthecooking。
　　Bjarnesoonnoticedherdistraction，but，ofcourse，neversuspectedthecause。Beforehelefther，heaskedherifshedidnotfindittoolonelyonthesaeter，andifitwouldnotbewellifhesentheroneofthemaidsforacompanion。
　　Shehastenedtoassurehimthatthatwasquiteunnecessary;thecattle—boywhowastheretohelpherwasallthecompanyshewanted。
　　Towardevening，BjarneBlakstadloadedhishorseswithbuckets，filledwithcheeseandbutter，andstartedforthevalley。Britastoodlonglookingafterhimashedescendedtherockyslope，andshecouldhardlyconcealfromherselfthatshefeltrelieved，when，atlast，theforesthidhimfromhersight。Alldayshehadbeenwalkingaboutwithaheavyheart;thereseemedtobesomethingweighingonherbreast，andshecouldnotthrowitoff。Whowasthiswhohadcomebetweenherandherfather？
　　Hadsheeverbeenafraidofhimbefore，hadshebeengladtohavehimleaveher？Asuddenbitternesstookpossessionofher，forinherdistress，shegaveHalvardtheblameforallthathadhappened。Shethrewherselfdownonthegrassandburstintoapassionatefitofweeping;
　　shewasguilty，wretchedlymiserable，andallforthesakeofonewhomshehadhardlyknownfortwodays。Ifheshouldcomeinthismoment，shewouldtellhimwhathehaddonetowardher;andherwishmusthavebeenheard，forassheraisedhereyes，hestoodthereatherside，thesadfeatureabouthismouthandhisgreathonesteyesgazingwonderinglyather。
　　Shefeltherpurposemeltwithinher;helookedsogoodandsounhappy。Thenagaincamethethoughtofherfatherandofherownwrong，andthebitternessagainrevived。
　　"Goaway，"criedshe，inavoicehalfreluctantlytenderandhalfdefiant。"Goaway，Isay;Idon’twanttoseeyouanymore。"
　　"Iwillgototheendoftheworldifyouwishit，"heanswered，withastrangefirmness。
　　Hepickeduphisjacketwhichhehaddroppedontheground，thenturnedslowly，gavehermotherlonglook，aninfinitelysadandhopelessone，andwent。Herbosomheavedviolently——remorse，affectionandfilialdutywrestleddesperatelyinherheart。
　　"No，no，"shecried，"whydoyougo？Ididnotmeanitso。Ionlywanted——"
　　Hepausedandreturnedasdeliberatelyashehadgone。
　　WhyshouldIdwelluponthedaysthatfollowed——
　　howherheartgrewevermorerestless，howshewouldsuddenlywakeupatnightsandseethoselargeblueeyessadlygazingather，howbyturnsshewouldcondemnherselfandhim，andhowshefeltwithbitterpainthatshewasgrowingawayfromthosewhohadhithertobeennearestanddearesttoher。Andstrangetosay，thisveryisolationfromherfathermadeherclingonlythemoredesperatelytohim。ItseemedtoherasifBjarnehaddeliberatelythrownheroff;thatsheherselfhadbeentheonewhotookthefirststephadhardlyoccurredtoher。Alas，hergriefwasasirrationalasherlove。Bywhatstrangedeviousprocessofreasoningtheseconvictionsbecamesettledinhermind，itisdifficulttotell。Itissufficienttoknowthatshewasawomanandthatsheloved。
　　Sheevenknewherselfthatshewasirrational，andthisverysensedrewhermorehopelesslyintothemazeofthelabyrinthfromwhichshesawnoescape。
　　Hisvisitswereasregularasthoseofthesun。
　　Sheknewthattherewasonlyawordofhersneededtobanishhimfromherpresenceforever。
　　Andhowmanytimesdidshenotresolvetospeakthatword？Butthewordwasneverspoken。Attimesacompanyoftheladsfromthevalleywouldcometospendamerryeveningatthesaeter;butsheheededthemnot，andtheysoondisappeared。Thusthesummerwentamidpassingmoodsofjoyandsorrow。Shehadlongknownthathelovedher，andwhenatlasthisslowconfessioncame，itaddednothingtoherhappiness;itonlyincreasedherfearsforthefuture。Theylaidmanyplanstogetherinthosedays;butwintercameasasurprisetoboth，thecattlewereremovedfromthemountains，andtheywereagainseparated。
　　BjarneBlakstadlookedlongandwistfullyathisdaughterthatmorning，whenhecametobringherhome。Sheworenomoreringsandbrooches，anditwasthiswhichexcitedBjarne’ssuspicionthateverythingwasnotrightwithher。Formerlyhewasdispleasedbecausesheworetoomany;nowhegrumbledbecausesheworenone。
　　II。
　　Thewinterwashalfgone;andinallthistimeBritahadhardlyonceseenHalvard。Yes，once，——itwasChristmas—day，——shehadventuredtopeepovertohispewinthechurch，andhadseenhim，sittingathisfather’sside，andgazingvacantlyoutintotheemptyspace;butashehadcaughtherglance，hehadblushed，andbeganeagerlytoturntheleavesofhishymn—
　　book。Ittroubledherthathemadenoefforttoseeher;manyaneveningshehadwalkedalonedownattheriver—side，hopingthathemightcome;butitwasallinvain。Shecouldnotbutbelievethathisfathermusthavemadesomediscovery，andthathewaswatched。Inthemeantimetheblackcloudthickenedoverherhead;forasecretgnawedattheveryrootsofherheart。Itwasatimeofterriblesuspenseandsuffering——suchasamanneverknows，suchasonlyawomancanendure。Itwasalmostareliefwhenthecloudburst，andthestormbrokeloose，aspresentlyitdid。
　　OneSunday，earlyinApril，Bjarnedidnotreturnattheusualhourfromchurch。Hisdaughterswaitedinvainforhimwiththedinner，andatlastbegantogrowuneasy。Itwasnothishabittokeepirregularhours。Therewasagreatexcitementinthevalleyjustthen;
　　theAmerica—feverhadbrokenout。Alargevesselwaslyingoutinthefjord，readytotaketheemigrantsaway;andtherewashardlyafamilythatdidnotmournthelossofsomebrave—heartedson，orofsomefairandcherisheddaughter。Theoldfolks，ofcourse，hadtoremainbehind;andwhenthechildrenweregone，whatwasthereleftforthembuttoliedownanddie？Americawastothemasdistantasifitwereonanotherplanet。Thefamilyfeeling，too，haseverbeenstrongintheNorseman’sbreast;helivesforhischildren，andseemstolivehislifeoveragaininthem。ItishisgreatestpridetobeabletotracehisbloodbackintothedaysofSverreandSt。Olaf，andwiththesameconfidenceheexpectstoseehisracespreadintothefutureinthesamesoilwhereonceithasstruckroot。ThencomesthestormfromtheWesternseas，wrestleswiththesturdytrunk，andbreaksit;andtheshatteredbranchesflytoallthefourcornersoftheheavens。Nowonder，then，likeatreethathaslostitscrown，hisstrengthisbrokenandheexpectsbuttosmoulderintotheearthanddie。
　　BjarneBlakstad，likethesturdyoldpatriotthathewas，hadalwaysfiercelydenouncedtheAmericarage;anditwasnowthehopeofhisdaughtersthat，perhaps，hehadstayedbehindtoremindtherestlessonesamongtheyouthoftheirdutytowardtheirland，ortofrightensomeboldemigrationagentwhomighthavebeentooloudinhisdeclamations。Butitwasalreadyeighto’clockandBjarnewasnotyettobeseen。
　　Thenightwasdarkandstormy;acoldsleetfiercelylashedthewindow—panes，andthewindroaredinthechimney。Grimhild，theyoungersister，ranrestlesslyoutandinandslammedthedoorsafterher。Britasattightlypressedupagainstthewallinthedarkestcorneroftheroom。Everytimethewindshookthehouseshestartedup;thenagainseatedherselfandshuddered。Darkforebodingsfilledhersoul。
　　Atlast，——theclockhadjuststruckten，——therewasanoiseheardintheouterhall。Grimhildsprangtothedoorandtoreitopen。Atall，stoopingfigureentered，andbythedresssheatoncerecognizedherfather。
　　"GoodGod，"criedshe，andranuptohim。
　　"Goaway，child，"mutteredhe，inavoicethatsoundedstrangelyunfamiliar，andhepushedherroughlyaway。Foramomenthestoodstill，thenstalkeduptothetable，and，withaheavythump，droppeddownintoachair。Thereheremainedwithhiselbowsrestingonhisknees，andabsentlystaringonthefloor。Hislonghairhunginwettanglesdownoverhisface，andthewrinklesabouthismouthseemeddeeperandfiercerthanusual。Nowandthenhesighed，orgaveventtoadeepgroan。Inawhilehiseyesbegantowanderuneasilyabouttheroom;andastheyreachedthecornerwhereBritawassitting，hesuddenlydartedup，asifstungbysomethingpoisonous，seizedabrandfromthehearth，andrushedtowardher。
　　"TellmeIdidnotseeit，"hebrokeforth，inahoarsewhisper，seizingherbythearmandthrustingtheburningbrandcloseuptoherface。
　　"Tellmeitisalie——ablack，poisonouslie。"
　　Sheraisedhereyesslowlytohisandgazedsteadfastlyintohisface。"Ah，"hecontinuedinthesameterriblevoice，"itwaswhatItoldthemdownthereatthechurch——alie——aninfernallie。AndIdrewblood——blood，Isay——I
　　did——fromtheslanderer。Ha，ha，ha！Whatalustysprawlthatwas！"
　　ThecolorcameanddepartedfromBrita’scheeks。Andstillshewasstrangelyselfpossessed。Sheevenwonderedatherowncalmness。
　　Alas，shedidnotknowthatitwasacalmnessthatismoreterriblethanpain，thecorpseofaforlornandhopelessheart。
　　"Child，"continuedBjarne，andhisvoiceassumedamorenaturaltone，"whydostthounotspeak？Theyhaveliedaboutthee，child，becausethouartfair，theyhaveenviedthee。"
　　Then，almostimploringly，"Openthymouth，Brita，andtellthyfatherthatthouartpure——
　　pureasthesnow，child——myown——mybeautifulchild。"
　　Therewasalongandpainfulpause，inwhichthecracklingofthebrand，andtheheavybreathingoftheoldmanweretheonlysoundstobreakthesilence。Palelikeamarbleimagestoodshebeforehim;nowordofexcuse，noprayerforforgivenessescapedher;onlyaconvulsivequiveringofthelipsbetrayedthelifethatstruggledwithinher。WitheverymomentthehopediedinBjarne’sbosom。Hisvisagewasfearfultobehold。Terrorandfierceindomitablehatredhadgrimlydistortedhisfeatures，andhiseyesburnedlikefire—coalsbeneathhisbushybrows。
　　"Harlot，"heshrieked，"harlot！"
　　Acoldgustofwindsweptthroughtheroom。
　　Thewindowsshook，thedoorsflewopen，asiftouchedbyastronginvisiblehand——andtheoldmanstoodalone，holdingtheflickeringbrandabovehishead。
　　Itwasaftermidnight，thewindhadabated，butthesnowstillfell，thickandsilent，buryingpathsandfencesunderitscoldwhitemantle。
　　Onwardshefled——onwardandeveronward。
　　Andwhither，sheknewnot。Acoldnumbnesshadchilledhersenses，butstillherfeetdroveherirresistiblyonward。Adarkcurrentseemedtohaveseizedher，sheonlyfeltthatshewasadrift，andshecarednotwhitheritboreher。
　　Inspiteofthestiflingdullnesswhichoppressedher，herbodyseemedaslightasair。Atlast，——
　　sheknewnotwhere，——sheheardtheroarofthesearesoundinginherears，agenialwarmththawedthenumbnessofhersenses，andshefloatedjoyfullyamongtheclouds——amonggolden，sun—bathedclouds。Whensheopenedhereyes，shefoundherselflyinginacomfortablebed，andayoungwomanwithakindmotherlyfacewassittingatherside。Itwasalllikeadream，andshemadenoefforttoaccountforwhatappearedsostrangeandunaccountable。
　　Whatsheafterwardheardwasthatafisher—
　　manhadfoundherinasnow—driftonthestrand，andthathehadcarriedherhometohiscottageandhadgivenherovertothechargeofhiswife。Thiswastheseconddaysinceherarrival。
　　Theyknewwhoshewas，buthadkeptthedoorslockedandhadtoldnoonethatshewasthere。
　　Sheheardthestoryofthegoodwomanwithoutemotion;itseemedanintolerableefforttothink。
　　Butonthethirdday，whenherchildwasborn，hermindwassuddenlyarousedfromitslethargy，andshecalmlymaturedherplans;andforthechild’ssakesheresolvedtoliveandtoact。
　　Thatsameeveningtherecamealittleboywithabundleforher。Sheopeneditandfoundthereintheclothesshehadleftbehind，and——
　　herbrooches。Sheknewthatitwashersisterwhohadsentthem;thentherewasonewhostillthoughtofherwithaffection。Andyetherfirstimpulsewastosenditallback，ortothrowitintotheocean;butshelookedatherchildandforbore。
　　Aweekpassed，andBritarecovered。OfHalvardshehadheardnothing。Onenight，asshelayinahalfdoze，shethoughtshehadSeenapale，frightenedfacepressedupagainstthewindow—pane，andstaringfixedlyatherandherchild;but，afterall，itmighthavebeenmerelyadream。Forherfeveredfancyhadintheselastdaysfrequentlybeguiledherintosimilarvisions。Sheoftenthoughtofhim，but，strangelyenough，nomorewithbitterness，butwithpity。Hadhebeenstrongenoughtobewicked，shecouldhavehatedhim，buthewasweak，andshepitiedhim。Thenitwasthat;oneevening，assheheardthattheAmericanvesselwastosailatdaybreak，shetookherlittleboyandwrappedhimcarefullyinherownclothes，badefarewelltothegoodfishermanandhiswife，andwalkedalonedowntothestrand。Hugecloudsoffantasticshapeschasedeachotherdesperatelyalongthehorizon，andnowandthentheslendernewmoonglancedforthfromthedeepbluegulfsbetween。Shechoseaboatatrandomandwasabouttounmoorit，whenshesawthefigureofamantreadcarefullyoverthestonesandhesitatinglyapproachher。
　　"Brita，"cameinawhisperfromthestrand。
　　"Who’sthere？"
　　"ItisI。Fatherknowsitall，andhehasnearlykilledme;andmother，too。"
　　"Isthatwhatyouhavecometotellme？"
　　"No，Iwouldliketohelpyousome。Ihavebeentryingtoseeyouthesemanydays。"Andhesteppedcloseuptotheboat。
　　"Thankyou;Ineednohelp。"
　　"But，Brita，"imploredhe，"Ihavesoldmygunandmydog，andeverythingIhad，andthisiswhatIhavegotforit。"Hestretchedouthishandandreachedheraredhandkerchiefwithsomethingheavyboundupinacorner。
　　Shetookitmechanically，helditinherhandforamoment，thenflungitfaroutintothewater。
　　Asmileofprofoundcontemptandpitypassedoverhercountenance。
　　"Farewell，Halvard，"saidshe，calmly，andpushedtheboatintothewater。
　　"But，Brita，"criedhe，indespair，"whatwouldyouhavemedo？"
　　Sheliftedthechildinherarms，thenpointedtothevacantseatatherside。Heunderstoodwhatshemeant，andstoodforamomentwavering。
　　Suddenly，hecoveredhisfacewithhishandsandburstintotears。Withinhalfanhour，Britaboardedthevessel，andasthefirstredstripeofthedawnilluminedthehorizon，thewindfilledthesails，andtheshipglidedwestwardtowardthatlandwherethereisahomeforthemwhomloveandmisfortunehaveexiled。
　　Itwasalongandwearisomevoyage。TherewasanoldEnglishclergymanonboard，whocollectedcuriosities;tohimshesoldherringsandbrooches，andtherebyobtainedmorethansufficientmoneytopayherpassage。Shehardlyspoketoanyoneexceptherchild。Thoseofherfellow—parishionerswhoknewher，andperhapsguessedherhistory，keptalooffromher，andshewasgratefultothemthattheydid。
　　Frommorningtillnight，shesatinacornerbetweenapileofdeckfreightandthekitchenskylight，andgazedatherlittleboywhowaslyinginherlap。Allherhopes，herfuture，andherlifewereinhim。Forherself，shehadceasedtohope。
　　"Icangivetheenofatherland，mychild，"shesaidtohim。"Thoushaltneverknowthenameofhimwhogavetheelife。ThouandI，weshallstruggletogether，and，astrueasthereisaGodabove，whoseesus，Hewillnotleaveeitherofustoperish。Butletusasknoquestions，child，aboutthatwhichispast。Thoushaltgrowandbestrong，andthymothermustgrowwiththee。"
　　Duringthethirdweekofthevoyage，theEnglishclergymanbaptizedtheboy，andshecalledhimThomas，afterthedayinthealmanaconwhichhewasborn。HeshouldneverknowthatNorwayhadbeenhismother’shome;
　　thereforeshewouldgivehimnonamewhichmightbetrayhisrace。Onemorning，earlyinthemonthofJune，theyhailedland，andthegreatNewWorldlaybeforethem。
　　III。
　　WhyshouldIspeakoftheceaselesscare，thesuffering，andthehardtoil，whichmadethefirstfewmonthsofBrita’slifeonthiscontinentamerecontinuedstruggleforexistence？Theyarefamiliartoeveryemigrantwhohascomeherewithabraveheartandanemptypurse。
　　Sufficeittosaythatattheendofthesecondmonth，shesucceededinobtainingserviceasmilkmaidwithafamilyintheneighborhoodofNewYork。Withthelinguistictalentpeculiartoherpeople，shesoonlearnedtheEnglishlanguageandevenspokeitwell。Fromhercountrymen，shekeptasfarawayaspossible，notforherownsake，butforthatofherboy;forhewastogrowgreatandstrong，andtheknowledgeofhisbirthmightshatterhisstrengthandbreakhiscourage。ForthesamereasonshealsoexchangedherpicturesqueNorsecostumeforthatofthepeopleamongwhomshewasliving。ShewentcommonlybythenameofMrs。Brita，whichpronouncedintheEnglishway，soundedverymuchlikeMrs。Bright，andthisatlastbecamethenamebywhichshewasknownintheneighborhood。
　　Thusfiveyearspassed;thentherewasagreatrageforemigratingtothefarWest，andBrita，withmanyothers，startedforChicago。Thereshearrivedintheyear1852，andtookupherlodgingswithanIrishwidow，whowaslivinginalittlecottageinwhatwasthentermedtheoutskirtsofthecity。Thosewhosawherinthosedays，goingaboutthelumber—yardsanddoingaman’swork，wouldhardlyhaverecognizedinherthemerryGlitter—Brita，whointimesofoldtrodthespring—dancesogaylyinthewell—lightedhallsoftheBlakstadmansion。