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。
