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。
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