Garman and Worse

ly off towards the sea as to make the descent difficult and almost dangerous, while in ascending it was necessary to take a zigzag course. The sheep, which had grazed here fr

light curve to the southward, and at the other end of this curve was the large farm of Bra

the little boat harbour, shelter

The room had thus two windows, one of which looked out to sea, while from the other was a view to the northward over the sandy dunes, which were dotted with patches of heather and bent grass. In the sitting-room Madeleine's father had his books and writing-table, and last, but not least, the large telescope. This was made to

osed shutters, while the light fell in regular and well-defined rays over the billows, which raged and foamed on the shore below. The ever-changing ocean, which washed un

hed at his little tyrant, whose great delight was to ruffle his thick curling hair. When, in his half-abstracted way, the old gentleman would tell her stones which threatened to end unpleasantly, she would scold him well; but when, from some cause or other, he was really

igure and graceful carriage. Her mouth was rather large, and her complexion somewhat dark. None could deny that she was

as not with him, for both he and Madeleine had agreed that it was not necessary when they were going only

chievous joke to throw on board Per's boat, and more than once the annoying "Wait" was heard

ight sunshine, which shone on the polished window-panes and on the bright red top of the lanter

nce, and now she came in full career down the slope. "Have you been waiting?" she cried, as she came on to the extreme point of the breakwater. He was just going to tell her not to jump, but it was too late; wit

told her at least a hundred times not

answer

you

ubbornly at him as the tears came into her eye

see,"

e answered, arrangin

to make fo

you goin

some brandy to

certainl

shan't go with

then; let

ill without raising her eyes from the ground she followed the well-known path. As she passed in front of the boat-houses, she had to step over oars, tar-barrels, old swabs, and all sorts of rubb

fore, to find Per's boat far behind, between the others and the shore. But it was not to be seen, neither there nor in the harbour. All at once her eye caught the well-known craft, which was not, however, far behind, but almost level with the others. Per must have rowed like a madman. She

gigantic efforts. Her form grew smaller and smaller as he rowed out to sea, till at length she was out of sight; but he had d

th sails flapping against the mast, and the slack in the taut rigging could be seen as the craft heaved lazily to and fro on the gentle swell. Madeleine

haps he might have done himself harm by his efforts of yesterday. She went out on to the slop

y down the slope she met some one who was coming upwards. She could not possibly have seen him sooner, bec

ain path, and took one that was a little lower. When therefore they were alongside each other, she w

e half choking. When he had got a pace beyond her, she turn

e swung the basket off his bac

e it," sai

nd took out a gigantic lobster, whic

ndid great lobs

isn't a

ou going to

r if he would l

asked, although she knew perfec

answered

good of y

aweed back in the basket; and now, when the moment

right. I go

rt much?"

ot ver

aid, as he ventured to lift hi

thing more to be said, but Madeleine could not

-bye,

ered, and both took

ing when you have been

rticular,"

called after him, "I am going to the sand-hills on the other sid

d Per, springing lik

the bench, and cried, "This is for you!" as he disappeared. The maid had recognized his voice, and ran after him to order fresh fish f

there a cluster of boats, while the gulls and wild geese were busy on the shore, and the waves rolled in in small curling ripples which glistened in the' clear sunshine.

inctively that they stood on the brink of a precipice. They therefore took the greatest pains to avoid the subject which really occupied their thoughts. The conversation was thus carri

even," an

r few, so there was no m

she, looking down, for now she fe

turned he, stammering. He saw at once that it was a s

the long helpless creature standing before her in such a miserable state of confusion, strong and handsome a

is neck, and so stood perfectly still. He looked down upon her long dark hair and sle

by her side, and looked vacantly around him. Every now and then he cast his eye upon her, but still doubtfully. It was clear that he

mark of her shoe looked so tiny by the side of it that they could not help turning round and laughing. They jested a

sh upon them, went these young hearts, rejoicing in their exist

o put his name on these tiresome, long-winded documents. But, wonderful to relate, his brother always told him that it was perfectly correct, and Christian Frederick was most particular in such matters. Th

the other window and directed

"I declare, they

ok his eye fro

he girl mu

were now going respectably enough side by side; now they were among the grassy knolls, and behind one of them they disappeared from his sight. He thoughtfully directed the telescope to the other side of the hillock and wai

eman took in the situation just as well as i

red; "but it's bad enough as it is. I s

, Madeleine, we have long been talking about

e in Madeleine, looki

ow in my opinion." He spoke in

ppointed room, opposite her father, who looked so refined and stately, Per and the shore, and everything that belonged to it, bore quite a different aspect, a

usion; and he was glad enough to escape any further explanation on the subject, for it was just in