And,indeed,shewassadlychanged!Herfeatureshadbecomesharper,andthefirmlinesabouthermouthexpressedseverity,almoststernness。Herclearblueeyesseemedtohavegrownlarger,andtheirglancebetrayedsecret,ever—watchfulcare。Onlyheryellowhairhadresistedtheforceoftimeandsorrow;foritstillfellinrichandwavyfoldsoverasmoothwhiteforehead。Shewas,indeed,halfashamedofit,andoftentookpainstoforceitintoasober,matronlyhood。Onlyatnights,whenshesatalonetalkingwithherboy,shewouldallowittoescapefromitsprison;andhewouldlaughandplaywithit,andinhischild’swayevenwonderatthecontrastbetweenhersternfaceandheryouthfulmaidenlytresses。
ThisThomas,herson,wasastrangechild。
HehadaNorseman’stasteforthefabulousandfantastic,andalthoughheneverheardataleofNeckenortheHulder,hewouldoftenstartlehismotherbythemostfancifulcombinationsofimaginedevents,andbybolderpersonificationsthaneversprungfromthelegendarysoiloftheNorseland。Shealwaystookcaretocheckhimwheneverheindulgedintheseimaginaryflights,andheatlastcametolookuponthemassomethingwrongandsinful。Theboy,ashegrewup,oftenstrikinglyremindedherofherfather,as,indeed,heseemedtohaveinheritedmorefromherownthanfromHalvard’srace。Onlythebrightflaxenhairandhissquare,somewhatclumsystaturemighthavetoldhimtobethelatter’schild。Hehadahottemper,andoftendistressedhismotherbyhisstubbornness;
andthentherewouldcomeagreatburstofrepentanceafterwards,whichdistressedherstillmore。Forshewasafraiditmightbeasignofweakness。\"Andstronghemustbe,\"
saidshetoherself,\"strongenoughtoovercomeallresistance,andtoconqueragreatnameforhimself,strongenoughtoblessamotherwhobroughthimintotheworldnameless。\"
Strangetosay,muchasshelovedthischild,sheseldomcaressedhim。Itwasapenanceshehadimposeduponherselftoatoneforherguilt。
Onlyattimes,whenshehadbeensittinguplate,andhereyeswouldfall,asitwere,byaccidentuponthelittlefaceonthepillow,withthesweetunconsciousnessofsleeprestinguponitlikeasoft,invisibleveil,wouldshesuddenlythrowherselfdownoverhim,kisshim,andwhispertendernamesinhisear,whilehertearsfellhotandfastonhisyellowhairandhisrosycountenance。Thenthechildwoulddreamthathewassailingaloftovershiningforests,andthathismother,beamingwithallthebeautyofherlostyouth,flewbeforehim,showeringgoldenflowersonhispath。ThesewerethehappiestmomentsofBrita’sjoylesslife,andeventhesewerenotunmixedwithbitterness;
forintothemidstofherjoywouldstealashyanxiousthoughtwhichwasthemoreterriblebecauseitcamesostealthily,sosoft—footedandunbidden。Hadnotthischildbeengivenherasapunishmentforherguilt?HadshethenarighttoturnGod’sscourgeintoablessing?
DidshegivetoGod\"thatwhichbelongethuntoGod,\"aslongasallherhopes,herthoughts,andherwholebeingrevolvedaboutthisoneearthlything,herson,thechildofhersorrow?
Shewasnotanaturetoshrinkfromgravequestions;
no,shemetthemboldly,whenoncetheywerethere,wrestledfiercelywiththem,wasdefeated,andagainwithamartyr’szealrosetorenewthecombat。GodhadHimselfsentherthisperplexingdoubtanditwasherdutytobearHisburden。ThusranBrita’sreasoning。
Inthemeanwhiletheyearsslippedby,andgreatchangeswerewroughtintheworldabouther。
ThefewhundreddollarswhichBritahadbeenabletosave,duringthefirstthreeyearsofherstayinChicago,shehadinvestedinapieceofland。Inthemeanwhilethecityhadgrown,andintheyear1859shewasofferedfivethousanddollarsforherlot;thisoffersheacceptedandagainboughtasmallpieceofpropertyatashortdistancefromthecity。Theboyhadsincehiseighthyearattendedthepublicschool,andhadmadeastonishingprogress。Everydaywhenschoolwasout,shewouldmeethimatthegate,takehimbythehandandleadhimhome。
Ifanyoftheotherboysdaredtomakesportofher,ortoteasehimforhisdependenceuponher,itwassuretocostthatboyablackeye{。}
Hesoonsucceededinestablishinghimselfintherespectofhisschool—mates,forhewasthestrongestboyofhisownage,andeverreadytoprotectanddefendtheweakanddefenseless。
WhenThomasBright(forthatwasthenamebywhichhewasknown)wasfifteenyearsoldhewasofferedapositionasclerkintheofficeofalumber—merchant,andwithhismother’sconsentheacceptedit。Hewasafineyoungladnow,largeandwell—knit,andwithaclearearnestcountenance。Intheeveninghewouldbringhomebookstoread,andasithadalwaysbeenBrita’shabittointerestherselfinwhateverinterestedhim,shesoonfoundherselfstudyinganddiscussingwithhimthingswhichhadinformeryearsbeenfarbeyondthehorizonofhermind。Shehadathisrequestreluctantlygivenupherworkinthelumber—yards,andnowspentherdaysathome,busyingherselfwithsewingandreadingandsuchotherthingsaswomenfindtofillupavacanthour。
Oneevening,whenThomaswasinhisnineteenthyear,hereturnedfromhisofficewithagraverfacethanusual。Hismother’squickeyeimmediatelysawthatsomethinghadagitatedhim,butsheforboretoask。
\"Mother,\"saidheatlast,\"whoismyfather?
Ishedeadoralive?\"
\"Godisyourfather,myson,\"answeredshe,tremblingly。\"Ifyouloveme,askmenomore。\"
\"Idoloveyou,mother,\"hesaid,andgaveheragravelook,inwhichshethoughtshedetectedaminglingoftendernessandreproach。
\"Anditshallbeasyouhavesaid。\"
Itwasthefirsttimeshehadhadreasontoblushbeforehim,andheremotioncamenearoverwhelmingher;butwithaviolenteffortshestifledit,andremainedoutwardlycalm。
Hebeganpacingupanddownthefloorwithhisheadbentandhishandsonhisback。Itsuddenlyoccurredtoherthathewasagrownman,andthatshecouldnolongerholdthesamerelationtohimashissupporterandprotector。\"Alas,\"thoughtshe,\"ifGodwillbutletmeremainhismother,IshallblessandthankHim。\"
Itwasthefirsttimethissubjecthadbeenbroached,anditgaverisetomanyadoubtandmanyaquestionintheanxiousmother’smind。
Hadshebeenrightinconcealingfromhimthatwhichhemightjustlyclaimtoknow?Whathadbeenhermotiveinkeepinghimignorantofhisoriginandofthelandofhisbirth?Shehadwishedhimtogrowtothestrengthofman—
hood,unconsciousofguilt,sothathemightbearhisheadupright,andlooktheworldfearlesslyintheface。Andstill,hadtherenotinallthisbeenalurkingthoughtofherself,afearoflosinghislove,adesiretostandpureandperfectinhiseye?Shehardlydaredtoanswerthesequestions,for,alas,sheknewnotthatevenourpurestmotivesarebutpoorlyabletobearasearchingscrutiny。Shebegantosuspectthatherwholecoursewithhersonhadbeenwrongfromtheverybeginning。Whyhadshenottoldhimthesterntruth,evenifheshoulddespiseherforit,evenifsheshouldhavetostandablushingculpritinhispresence?Often,whensheheardhisfootstepsinthehall,ashereturnedfromtheworkoftheday,shewouldmanherselfupandthewordshovereduponherlips:
\"Son,thouartabastardborn,achildofguilt,andthymotherisanoutcastupontheearth。\"
Butwhenshemetthosecalmblueeyesofhis,sawtheunsuspectingfranknessofhismannerandthehopefulnesswithwhichhelookedtothefuture,herwomanlyheartshrankfromitsduty,andshehastenedoutoftheroom,threwherselfonherbed,andwept。FiercelyshewrestledwithGodinprayer,untilshethoughtthatevenGodhaddesertedher。Thusmonthspassedandyears,andtheconstantcareandanxietybegantoaffectherhealth。Shegrewpaleandnervous,andtheslightestnoisewouldannoyher。Inthemeanwhile,hermannertowardtheyoungmanhadbecomestrangelyaltered,andhesoonnoticedit,althoughheforboretospeak。Shewasscrupulouslymindfulofhiscomfort,anxiouslyanticipatedhiswants,andobservedtowardhimanevervigilantconsideration,asifhehadbeenhermasterinsteadofherson。
WhenThomaswastwenty—twoyearsofage,hewasofferedapartnershipinhisemployer’sbusiness,andwitheveryyearhisprospectsbrightened。Thesaleofhismother’spropertybroughthimaveryhandsomelittlefortune,whichenabledhimtobuildafineandcomfortablehouseinoneofthebestportionsofthecity。Thustheiroutwardcircumstancesweregreatlyimproved,andofcomfortandluxuryBritahadallandmorethanshehadeverdesired;butherhealthwasbrokendown,andthephysiciansdeclaredthatayearofforeigntravelandacontinuedresidenceinItalymightpossiblyrestoreher。Atlast,Thomas,too,begantourgeher,untilshefinallyyielded。ItwasonabrightmorninginMaythattheybothstartedforNewYork,andthreedayslatertheytooktheboatforEurope。Whatcountriestheyweretovisittheyhadhardlydecided,butafterabriefstayinEnglandwefindthemagainonasteamerboundforNorway。
IV。
Warmandgentleasitis,Juneoftencomestothefjord—valleysofNorwaywiththevoiceandthestrengthofagiant。Theglacierstotterandgroan,asifinangerattheirownweakness,andsendhugeavalanchesofstonesandicedownintothevalleys。Theriversswellandrushwithvociferousbrawloutoverthemountain—
sides,andathousandtinybrooksjoininthegeneralclamor,anddancewithnoisychatteroverthemoss—grownbirch—roots。Butlater,whenthestruggleisatanend,andJunehasvictoriouslyseatedherselfuponherthrone,hervoicebecomesmorerichlysubduedandbringsrestandcomforttotheearandtothetroubledheart。ItwaswhilethemonthwasinthislattermoodthatBritaandhersonenteredoncemorethevalleywhence,twenty—fiveyearsago,theyhadfled。Manystrange,turbulentemotionsstirredthemother’sbosom,asshesawagainthegreatsnow—cappedmountains,andthecalm,greenvalley,herchildhood’shome,lyingsosnuglyshelteredintheirmightyembrace。
EvenThomas’sbreastwasmovedwithvaguelysympatheticthrobs,asthiswondrousscenespreaditselfbeforehim。Theysoonsucceededinhiringafarm—house,abouthalfanhour’swalkfromBlakstad,and,accordingtoBrita’swish,establishedthemselvesthereforthesummer。
Shehadknownthepeoplewell,whenshewasyoung,buttheyneverthoughtofidentifyingherwiththemerrymaid,whohadoncestartledtheparishbyhersuddenflight;andshe,althoughshelongedtoopenherhearttothem,letnowordfalltobetrayherrealcharacter。Herconscienceaccusedherofplayingafalsepart,butforherson’ssakeshekeptsilent。
Then,oneday,——itwasthesecondSundayaftertheirarrival,——sheroseearlyinthemorning,andaskedThomastoaccompanyheronawalkupthroughthevalley。TherewasSabbathintheair;thesoftbreathofsummer,ladenwiththeperfumeoffreshleavesandfield—flowers,gentlywaftedintotheirfaces。Thesunglitteredinthedewygrass,thecricketssungwitharemotevoiceofwonder,andtheairseemedtobehalfvisible,andmovedintrem—
blingwaveletsonthepathbeforethem。Restingonherson’sarm,Britawalkedslowlyupthroughthefloweringmeadows;shehardlyknewwhitherherfeetboreher,butherheartbeatviolently,andsheoftenwasobligedtopauseandpressherhandsagainstherbosom,asiftostaytheturbulentemotions。
\"Youarenotwell,mother,\"saidtheson。
\"Itwasimprudentinmetoallowyoutoexertyourselfinthisway。\"
\"Letussitdownonthisstone,\"answeredshe。\"Ishallsoonbebetter。Donotlooksoanxiouslyatme。Indeed,Iamnotsick。\"
Hespreadhislightsummercoatonthestoneandcarefullyseatedher。Sheliftedherveilandraisedhereyestothelargered—roofedmansion,whosedarkoutlinesdrewthemselvesdimlyontheduskybackgroundofthepineforest。
Washestillalive,hewhoselife—hopeshehadwrecked,hewhohadoncedrivenheroutintothenightwithallbutacurseuponhislips?
Howwouldhereceiveher,ifsheweretoreturn?Ah,sheknewhim,andshetrembledattheverythoughtofmeetinghim。Butwasnottheguilthers?Couldshedepartfromthisvalley,couldshedieinpeace,withouthavingthrownherselfathisfeetandimploredhisfor—
giveness?Andthere,ontheoppositesideofthevalley,laythehomeofhimwhohadbeenthecauseofallhermisery。Whathadbeenhisfate,anddidhestillrememberthoselonghappysummerdays,ah!solong,longago?
Shehaddaredtoasknoquestionsofthepeoplewithwhomshelived,butnowasuddenweaknesshadovertakenher,andshefeltthatto—daymustdecideherfate;shecouldnolongerbearthistortureofuncertainty。Thomasremainedstandingathersideandlookedatherwithanxietyandwonder。Heknewthatshehadconcealedmanythingsfromhim,butwhateverherreasonsmightbe,hewasconfidentthattheywerejustandweighty。Itwasnotforhimtoquestionheraboutwhathemighthavenorighttoknow。Hefeltasifhehadneverlovedherasinthismoment,whensheseemedtobemostinneedofhim,andanoverwhelmingtendernesstookpossessionofhisheart。
Hesuddenlystoopeddown,tookherpale,thinfacebetweenhishandsandkissedher。Thelongpent—upemotionburstforthinafloodoftears;sheburiedherfaceinherlapandweptlongandsilently。Thenthechurch—bellsbegantopealdowninthevalley,andtheslowmightysoundfloatedcalmlyandsolemnlyuptothem。
Howmanylong—forgottenmemoriesofchildhoodandyouthdidtheynotwakeinherbosom——memoriesofthetimewhenthemerryGlitter—
Brita,deckedwithhershiningbrooches,wendedherwaytothechurchamongthegayly—dressedladsandmaidensoftheparish?
Aclusterofwhite—stemmedbirchesthrewitsshadowoverthestonewherethepenitentmotherwassitting,andthetallgrassonbothsidesofthepathnearlyhidherfromsight。
Presentlythechurch—folkbegantoappear,andBritaraisedherheadanddrewherveildownoverherface。Noonepassedwithoutgreetingthestrangers,andthewomenandmaidens,accordingtooldfashion,stoppedandcourtesied。Atlast,therecameanoldwhite—hairedman,leaningonthearmofamiddle—agedwoman。Hiswholefigurewasbentforward,andheoftenstoppedanddrewhisbreathheavily。
\"Oh,yes,yes,\"hesaid,illahoarse,brokenvoice,ashepassedbeforethem,\"ageisgainingonmefast。Ican’tmoveaboutanymoreasofold。ButtochurchImustthisday。Godhelpme!Ihavedonemuchwrongandneedtoprayforforgiveness。\"
\"Youhadbettersitdownandrest,father,\"
saidthewoman。\"Hereisastone,andthefinelady,Iamsure,willallowaweakoldmantositdownbesideher。\"
Thomasroseandmadeasigntotheoldmantotakehisseat。
\"Oyes,yes,\"hewentonmurmuring,asiftalkingtohimself。\"Muchwrong——muchforgiveness。Godhelpusall——miserablesinners。
Hewhohatethnotfatherandmother——anddaughterisnotworthyofme。O,yes——yes——
Godcomfortusall。Helpmeup,Grimhild。I
thinkIcanmoveonagain,now。\"
Thomas,ofcourse,didnotunderstandawordofwhathesaid,butseeingthathewishedtorise,hewillinglyofferedhisassistance,supportedhisarmandraisedhim。
\"Thankstoyou,youngman,\"saidthepeasant。
\"AndmayGodrewardyourkindness。\"
Andthetwo,fatheranddaughter,movedon,slowlyandlaboriously,astheyhadcome。
Thomasstoodfollowingthemwithhiseyes,untilalow,half—stifledmoansuddenlycalledhimtohismother’sside。Herframetrembledviolently。
\"Mother,mother,\"imploredhe,stoopingoverher,\"whathashappened?Whyareyounomoreyourself?\"
\"Ah,myson,Icanbearitnolonger,\"sobbedshe。\"Godforgiveme——thoumustknowitall。\"
Hesatdownathersideanddrewhercloselyuptohimandshehidherfaceonhisbosom。
Therewasalongsilence,onlybrokenbytheloudchirrupingofthecrickets。
\"Myson,\"shebeganatlast,stillhidingherface,\"thouartachildofguilt。\"
\"Thathasbeennosecrettome,mother,\"
answeredhe,gravelyandtenderly,\"sinceIwasoldenoughtoknowwhatguiltwas。\"
Shequicklyraisedherhead,andalookofamazement,ofjoyoussurprise,shonethroughthetearsthatveiledhereyes。Shecouldreadnothingbutfilialloveandconfidenceinthosegrave,manlyfeatures,andshesawinthatmomentthatallherdoubtshadbeengroundless,thatherlongprayerfulstrugglehadbeenfornaught。
\"Ibroughttheeintotheworldnameless,\"shewhispered,\"andthouhastnowordofreproachforme?\"
\"WithGod’shelp,Iamstrongenoughtoconqueranameformyself,mother,\"washisanswer。
Itwastheverywordsofherownsecretwish,anduponhislipstheysoundedlikeablessedassurance,likeamiraculousfulfillmentofhermotherlyprayer。
\"Still,anotherthing,mychild,\"shewentoninamoreconfidentvoice。\"Thisisthynativeland,——andtheoldmanwhowasjustsittinghereatmysidewas——myfather。\"
Andthere,intheshadowofthebirch—trees,inthesummerstillnessofthathour,shetoldhimthestoryofherlove,ofherflight,andofthemiseryoftheselong,toilsomefiveandtwentyyears。
Lateintheafternoon,Britaandhersonwereseenreturningtothefarm—house。Acalm,subduedhappinessbeamedfromthemother’scountenance;
shewasagainatpeacewiththeworldandherself,andherheartwasaslightasinthedaysofherearlyyouth。Butherbodilystrengthhadgivenout,andherlimbsalmostrefusedtosupporther。Thestrainuponhernervesandtheconstantefforthadhithertoenabledhertokeepup,butnow,whenthatstrainwasremoved,exhaustednatureclaimeditsright。Thenextday——shecouldnotleaveherbed,andwitheveryhourherstrengthfailed。Aphysicianwassentfor。Hegavemedicine,butnohope。Heshookhisheadgravely,ashewent,andbothmotherandsonknewwhatthatmeant。
Towardevening,BjarneBlakstadwassummoned,andcameatonce。Thomaslefttheroom,astheoldmanentered,andwhatpassedinthathourbetweenfatheranddaughter,onlyGodknows。Whenthedoorwasagainopened,Brita’seyesshonewithastrangebrilliancy,andBjarnelayonhiskneesbeforethebed,pressingherhandconvulsivelybetweenbothofhis。
\"Thisismyson,father,\"saidshe,inalanguagewhichhersondidnotunderstand;andafaintsmileofmotherlyprideandhappinessflittedoverherpalefeatures。\"Iwouldgivehimtotheeinreturnforwhatthouhastlost;
butGodhaslaidhisfutureinanotherland。\"
Bjarnerose,graspedhisgrandson’shand,andpressedit;andtwoheavytearsrandownhisfurrowedcheeks。\"Alas,\"murmuredhe,\"myson,thatweshouldmeetthus。\"
Theretheystood,boundtogetherbythebondsofblood,but,alas,therelayaworldbetweenthem。
Allnighttheysattogetheratthedyingwoman’sbedside。Notawordwasspoken。
Towardmorning,asthesunstoleintothedarkenedchamber,Britamurmuredtheirnames,andtheylaidtheirhandsinhers。
\"Godbepraised,\"whisperedshe,scarcelyaudibly,\"Ihavefoundyouboth——myfatherandmyson。\"Adeeppallorspreadoverhercountenance。Shewasdead。
Twodayslater,whenthebodywaslaidout,Thomasstoodaloneintheroom。Thewindowswerecoveredwithwhitesheets,andasubduedlightfelluponthepale,lifelesscountenance。
Deathhaddealtgentlywithher,sheseemedyoungerthanbefore,andherlightwavyhairfellsoftlyoverthewhiteforehead。Thentherecameamiddle—agedman,withadulleye,andabroadforehead,andtimidlyapproachedthelonelymourner。Hewalkedontip—toeandhisfigurestoopedheavily。Foralongwhilehestoodgazingatthedeadbody,thenhekneltdownatthefootofthecoffin,andbegantosobviolently。Atlasthearose,tooktwostepstowardtheyoungman,pausedagain,anddepartedsilentlyashehadcome。ItwasHalvard。
Closeunderthewallofthelittlered—paintedchurch,theydugthegrave;andaweeklaterherfatherwaslaidtorestathisdaughter’sside。
ButthefreshwindsblewovertheAtlanticandbeckonedthesontonewfieldsoflaborinthegreatlandofthefuture。
AGOOD—FOR—NOTHING。
RALPHGRIMwasbornagentleman。
Hehadthemisfortuneofcomingintotheworldsometenyearslaterthanmightreasonablyhavebeenexpected。
ColonelGrimandhisladyhadcelebratedtwelveanniversariesoftheirwedding—day,andhadgivenupallhopesofeverhavingasonandheir,whenthislate—comerstartledthembyhisunexpectedappearance。Theonlypreviousadditiontothefamilyhadbeenadaughter,andshewasthentensummersold。
Ralphwasaveryfeeblechild,andcouldonlywithgreatdifficultybepersuadedtoretainhisholdoftheslenderthreadwhichboundhimtoexistence。Hewasrubbedwithwhisky,andwrappedincotton,andgivenmare’smilktodrink,andGodknowswhatnot,andtheColonelsworearoundoathofpaternaldelightwhenatlasttheinfantstoppedgaspinginthatdistressingwayandbegantobreathelikeotherhumanbeings。Themother,who,inspiteofheranxietyforthechild’slife,hadfoundtimetoplotforhimacareeroffuturemagnificence,nowsuddenlysethimapartforliterature,becausethatwastheeasiestroadtofame,anddisposedofhiminmarriagetooneofthemostdistinguishedfamiliesoftheland。Shecautiouslysuggestedthistoherhusbandwhenhecametotakehisseatatherbedside;buttoherutterastonishmentshefoundthathehadbeenindulgingasimilartrainofthought,andhadalreadydestinedtheinfantprodigyforthearmy。She,however,couldnotgiveupherpredilectionforliterature,andtheColonel,whocouldnotbeartobecontradictedinhisownhouse,asheusedtosay,wasgettingeveryminutelouderandmoreflushed,when,happily,thedoctor’sarrivalinterruptedthedispute。
AsRalphgrewupfrominfancytochildhood,hebegantogivedecidedpromiseoffuturedistinction。Hewasfondofsittingdowninacornerandsuckinghisthumb,whichhismotherinterpretedasthesignofthatbroodingdispositionpeculiartopoetsandmenofloftygenius。
Attheageoffive,hehadbecomesolemasterinthehouse。HeslappedhissisterHildaintheface,orpulledherhair,whenshehesitatedtoobeyhim,tyrannizedoverhisnurse,andsternlyrefusedtogotobedinspiteofhismother’sentreaties。Onsuchoccasions,theColonelwouldhidehisfacebehindhisnewspaper,andchucklewithdelight;itwasevidentthatnaturehadintendedhissonforagreatmilitarycommander。AssoonasRalphhimselfwasoldenoughtohaveanythoughtsabouthisfuturedestiny,hemadeuphismindthathewouldliketobeapirate。Afewmonthslater,havingcontractedanimmoderatetasteforcandy,hecontentedhimselfwiththecomparativelyhumblepositionofabaker;butwhenhehadread\"RobinsonCrusoe,\"hemanifestedastrongdesiretogotoseainthehopeofbeingwreckedonsomedesolateisland。Theparentsspentlongeveningsgravelydiscussingtheseindicationsofuncommongenius,andeachinterpretedtheminhisorherownway。
\"HeisnotlikeanyotherchildIeverknew,\"
saidthemother。
\"Tobesure,\"respondedthefather,earnestly。
\"Heisamostextraordinarychild。Iwasaveryremarkablechildtoo,evenifIdosayitmyself;but,asfarasIremember,Ineveraspiredtobeingwreckedonanuninhabitedisland。\"
TheColonelprobablyspokethetruth;butheforgottotakeintoaccountthathehadneverread\"RobinsonCrusoe。\"
OfRalph’sschool—daysthereisbutlittletoreport,for,totellthetruth,hedidnotfancygoingtoschool,asthedisciplineannoyedhim。
Thedayafterhishavingenteredthegymnasium,whichwastopreparehimfortheMilitaryAcademy,theprincipalsawhimwaitingatthegateafterhisclasshadbeendismissed。Heapproachedhim,andaskedwhyhedidnotgohomewiththerest。
\"Iamwaitingfortheservanttocarrymybooks,\"wastheboy’sanswer。
\"Givemeyourbooks,\"saidtheteacher。
Ralphreluctantlyobeyed。ThatdaytheColonelwasnotalittlesurprisedtoseehissonmarchingupthestreet,andeverynowandthenglancingbehindhimwithalookofdiscomfortattheprincipal,whowasfollowingquietlyinhistrain,carryingaparcelofschool—books。
ColonelGrimandhiswife,diviningtheteacher’sintention,agreedthatitwasagreatoutrage,buttheydidnotmentionthemattertoRalph。
Henceforth,however,theboyrefusedtobeaccompaniedbyhisservant。Aweeklaterhewasimpudenttotheteacherofgymnastics,whowhippedhiminreturn。TheColonel’srageknewnobounds;herodeingreathastetothegymnasium,reviledtheteacherforpresumingtochastiseHISson,andcommittedtheboytothecareofaprivatetutor。
Attheageofsixteen,RalphwenttothecapitalwiththeintentionofenteringtheMilitaryAcademy。Hewasatall,handsomeyouth,slenderofstature,andcarriedhimselfaserectasacandle。Hehadalight,clearcomplexionofalmostfemininedelicacy;blonde,curlyhair,whichhealwayskeptcarefullybrushed;alowforehead,andastraight,finelymodelednose。
Therewasanexpressionofextremesensitivenessaboutthenostrils,andalookofindolenceinthedark—blueeyes。Buttheensembleofhisfeatureswaspleasing,hisdressirreproachable,andhismannersborenotraceoftheawkwardself—consciousnesspeculiartohisage。Immediatelyonhisarrivalinthecapitalhehiredasuiteofroomsinthearistocraticpartofthecity,andfurnishedthemratherexpensively,butinexcellenttaste。Fromabosomfriend,whomhemetbyaccidentintherestaurant’spavilioninthepark,helearnedthatapairofantlers,astuffedeagle,orfalcon,andacoupleofswords,wereindispensabletoawell—appointedapartment。Heaccordinglyboughtthesearticlesatacuriosity—shop。Duringthefirstweeksofhisresidenceinthecityhemadesomefeebleeffortstoperfecthimselfinmathematics,inwhichhesuspectedhewassomewhatdeficient。
Butwhenthesameofficiousfriendlaughedathim,andcalledhim\"green,\"hedeterminedtotrusttofortune,andhenceforthdevotedhimselfthemoreassiduouslytotheFrenchballet,wherehehadalreadymadesomeinterestingacquaintances。
Thetimefortheexaminationcame;theFrenchballetdidnotproveagoodpreparation;
Ralphfailed。Itquiteshookhimforthetime,andhefelthumiliated。Hehadnotthecouragetotellhisfather;sohelingeredonfromdaytoday,satvacantlygazingoutofhiswindow,andtriedvainlytointeresthimselfinthebusybustledownonthestreet。Itprovokedhimthateverybodyelseshouldbesolight—
hearted,whenhewas,oratleastfanciedhimself,introuble。Theparlorgrewintolerable;
hesoughtrefugeinhisbedroom。Therehesatoneevening(itwasthethirddayaftertheexamination),andstaredoutuponthegraystonewallswhichonallsidesenclosedthenarrowcourt—yard。TheroundstupidfaceofthemoonstoodtranquillydozinglikeagreatLimburgercheesesuspendedunderthesky。
Ralph,atleast,couldthinkofanomorefittingsimile。Butthebright—eyedyounggirlinthewindowhardbysentalonginglookuptothesamemoon,andthoughtofherdistanthomeonthefjords,wheretheglaciersstoodlikehoarygiants,andcaughttheyellowmoonbeamsontheirglitteringshieldsofsnow。Shehadbeenreading\"Ivanhoe\"alltheafternoon,untilthetwilighthadovertakenherquiteunaware,andnowshesuddenlyrememberedthatshehadforgottentowriteherGermanexercise。
Sheliftedherfaceandsawapairofsad,vacanteyes,gazingatherfromthenextwindowintheangleofthecourt。Shewasalittlestartledatfirst,butinthenextmomentshethoughtofherGermanexerciseandtookheart。
\"DoyouknowGerman?\"shesaid;thenimmediatelyrepentedthatshehadsaidit。
\"Ido,\"wastheanswer。
Shetookupherapronandbegantotwistitwithanairofembarrassment。
\"Ididn’tmeananything,\"shewhispered,atlast。
\"Ionlywantedtoknow。\"
\"Youareverykind。\"
Thatanswerrousedher;hewasevidentlymakingsportofher。
\"Well,then,ifyoudo,youmaywritemyexerciseforme。Ihavemarkedtheplaceinthebook。\"
Andsheflungherbookovertohiswindow,andhecaughtitontheedgeofthesill,justasitwasfalling。
\"Youareaverystrangegirl,\"heremarked,turningovertheleavesofthebook,althoughitwastoodarktoread。\"Howoldareyou?\"
\"IshallbefourteensixweeksbeforeChristmas,\"answeredshe,frankly。
\"ThenIexcuseyou。\"
\"No,indeed,\"criedshe,vehemently。\"Youneedn’texcusemeatall。Ifyoudon’twanttowritemyexercise,youmaysendthebookbackagain。IamverysorryIspoketoyou,andI
shallneverdoitagain。\"
\"Butyouwillnotgetthebookbackagainwithouttheexercise,\"repliedhe,quietly。
\"Good—night。\"
Thegirlstoodlonglookingafterhim,hopingthathewouldreturn。Then,withagreatburstofrepentance,shehidherfaceinherlap,andbegantocry。
\"Oh,dear,Ididn’tmeantoberude,\"shesobbed。\"ButitwasIvanhoeandRebeccawhoupsetme。\"
Thenextmorningshewasupbeforedaylight,andwaitedfortwolonghoursingreatsuspensebeforethecurtainofhiswindowwasraised。Hegreetedherpolitely;threwahastyglancearoundthecourttoseeifhewasobserved,andthentossedherbookdexterouslyoverintoherhands。
\"Ihavepinnedthewrittenexercisetothefly—
leaf,\"hesaid。\"Youwillprobablyhavetimetocopyitbeforebreakfast。\"
\"Iameversomuchobligedtoyou,\"shemanagedtostammer。
Helookedsotallandhandsome,andgrown—
up,andherremorsestuckinherthroat,andthreatenedtochokeher。Shehadtakenhimforaboyashesatthereinhiswindowtheeveningbefore。
\"Bytheway,whatisyourname?\"heasked,carelessly,asheturnedtogo。
\"Bertha。\"
\"Well,mydearBertha,Iamhappytohavemadeyouracquaintance。\"
Andheagainmadeherapolitebow,andenteredhisparlor。
\"Howprovokinglyfamiliarheis,\"thoughtshe;\"butnoonecandenythatheishandsome。\"
ThebrightroguishfaceoftheyounggirlhauntedRalphduringthewholenextweek。
Hehadbeeninloveatleasttentimesbefore,ofcourse;but,likemostboys,withyoungladiesfarolderthanhimself。Hefoundhimselffrequentlyglancingovertoherwindowinthehopeofcatchinganotherglimpseofherface;
butthecurtainwasalwaysdrawndown,andBertharemainedinvisible。Duringthesecondweek,however,sherelented,andtheyhadmanyapleasantchattogether。Henowvolunteeredtowriteallherexercises,andshemadenoobjections。Helearnedthatshewasthedaughterofawell—to—dopeasantinthesea—districtsofNorway(anditgavehimquiteashocktohearit),andthatshewasgoingtoschoolinthecity,andboardedwithanoldladywhokeptapensioninthehouseadjoiningtheoneinwhichhelived。
OnedayintheautumnRalphwassurprisedbythesuddenarrivalofhisfather,andthefactofhisfailureintheexaminationcouldnolongerbekeptasecret。TheoldColonelflaredupatoncewhenRalphmadehisconfession;thelargeveinsuponhisforeheadswelled;hegrewcoppery—
redinhisface,andstormedupanddownthefloor,untilhissonbecameseriouslyalarmed;
but,tohisgreatrelief,hewassoonmadeawarethathisfather’swrathwasnotturnedagainsthimpersonally,butagainsttheofficialsoftheMilitaryAcademywhohadrejectedhim。TheColoneltookitasaninsulttohisowngoodnameandirreproachablestandingasanofficer;
hepromptlyrefusedanyotherexplanation,andvainlyrackedhisbraintorememberifanyyouthfulfollyofhiscouldpossiblyhavemadehimenemiesamongtheteachersoftheAcademy。
Heatlastfeltsatisfiedthatitwasenvyofhisowngreatnessandrapidadvancementwhichhadinducedtherascalstotakevengeanceonhisson。Ralphreluctantlyfollowedhisfatherbacktothecountrytownwherethelatterwasstationed,andthefair—hairedBerthavanishedfromhishorizon。Hismother’swishnowprevailed,andhebegan,inhisowneasyway,topreparehimselffortheUniversity。HehadlittletasteforCicero,andstilllessforVirgil,butwiththeuseofa\"pony\"hesoongainedsufficientknowledgeoftheseauthorstobeabletotalkinasortofpatronizingwayaboutthem,tothegreatdelightofhisfondparents。Hetookquiteafancy,however,totheodeinHoraceendingwiththelines:
Dulceridentem,Dulceloquentem,Lalagenamabo。
AndinhisthoughthesubstitutedforLalagethefair—hairedBertha,quiteregardlessoftherequirementsofthemetre。
Tomakealongstoryshort,threeyearslaterRalphreturnedtothecapital,and,afterhavingwornoutseveraltutors,actuallysucceededinenteringtheUniversity。
Thefirstyearofcollegelifeisahappytimetoeveryyoungman,andRalphenjoyeditsprocessions,itsparliamentarygatherings,anditsleisure,aswellastherest。Hewascertainlynotthemantobesentimentaloverthelossofayounggirlwhom,moreover,hehadonlyknownforafewweeks。Nevertheless,hethoughtofheratoddtimes,butnotenoughtodisturbhispleasure。Thestandingofhisfamily,hisownhandsomeappearance,andhisimmaculatelinenopenedtohimthebesthousesofthecity,andhebecameagreatfavoriteinsociety。Atlectureshewasseldomseen,butmorefrequentlyinthetheatres,whereheusedtocomeinduringthemiddleofthefirstact,takehisstationinfrontoftheorchestrabox,andeye,throughhislorgnettes,byturns,theactressesandtheladiesoftheparquet。
II。
Twomonthspassed,andthencamethegreatannualballwhichthestudentsgiveattheopeningofthesecondsemester。Ralphwasamanofimportancethatevening;first,becausehebelongedtoagreatfamily;secondly,becausehewasthehandsomestmanofhisyear。Heworealargegoldenstaronhisbreast(forhisfellow—
studentshadmadehimaKnightoftheGoldenBoar),andabadgeofcoloredribbonsinhisbutton—hole。
Theballwasabrilliantaffair,andeverybodywasinexcellentspirits,especiallytheladies。
Ralphdancedincessantly,twirledhissoftmustache,andutteredamiableplatitudes。Itwastowardmidnight,justasthecompanywasmovingouttosupper,thathecaughttheglanceofapairofdark—blueeyes,whichsuddenlydrovethebloodtohischeeksandhastenedthebeatingofhisheart。Butwhenhelookedoncemorethedark—blueeyesweregone,andhisunrulyheartwentonhammeringagainsthisside。
Helaidhishandonhisbreastandglancedfurtivelyathisfairneighbor,butshelookedhappyandunconcerned,fortheflavoroftheice—creamwasdelicious。Itseemedanendlessmeal,but,whenitwasdone,Ralphrose,ledhispartnerbacktotheball—room,andhastilyexcusedhimself。Hisglancewanderedroundthewidehall,seekingthewell—rememberedeyesoncemore,and,atlength,findingtheminaremotecorner,halfhidbehindamovingwallofpromenaders。
InanothermomenthewasatBertha’sside。
\"Youmusthavebeenpurposelyhidingyourself,MissBertha,\"saidhe,whentheusualgreetingswereexchanged。\"Ihavenotcaughtaglimpseofyouallthisevening,untilafewmomentsago。\"
\"ButIhaveseenyouallthewhile,\"answeredthegirl,frankly。\"IknewyouatonceasI
enteredthehall。\"
\"IfIhadbutknownthatyouwerehere,\"
resumedRalph,asitwere,invisiblyexpandingwithanagreeablesenseofdignity,\"Iassureyou,youwouldhavebeentheveryfirstoneI
shouldhavesought。\"
Sheraisedherlargegraveeyestohis,asifquestioninghissincerity;butshemadenoanswer。
\"Goodgracious!\"thoughtRalph。\"Shetakesthingsterriblyinearnest。\"
\"Youlooksoserious,MissBertha,\"saidhe,afteramoment’spause。\"Irememberyouasabright—eyed,flaxen—hairedlittlegirl,whothrewherGermanexercise—booktomeacrosstheyard,andwhosemerrylaughterstillringspleasantlyinmymemory。IconfessIdon’tfinditquiteeasytoidentifythisgraveyoungladywithmymerryfriendofthreeyearsago。\"
\"Inotherwords,youaredisappointedatnotfindingmethesameasIusedtobe。\"
\"No,notexactlythat;but——\"
Ralphpausedandlookedpuzzled。Therewassomethingintheearnestnessofhermannerwhichmadeafacetiouscomplimentseemgrosslyinappropriate,andinthemomentnootherescapesuggesteditself。
\"Butwhat?\"demandedBertha,mercilessly。
\"Haveyoueverlostanoldfriend?\"
askedhe,abruptly。
\"Yes;howso?\"
\"Then,\"answeredhe,whilehisfeatureslightedupwithahappyinspiration——\"thenyouwillappreciatemysituation。Ifondlycherishedmyoldpictureofyouinmymemory。NowI
havelostit,andIcannothelpregrettingtheloss。Idonotmean,however,toimplythatthisnewacquaintance——thissecondeditionofyourself,sotospeak——willprovelessinteresting。\"
Sheagainsenthimagrave,questioninglook,andbegantogazeintentlyuponthestoneinherbracelet。
\"Isupposeyouwilllaughatme,\"beganshe,whileasuddenblushflittedoverhercountenance。
\"Butthisismyfirstball,andIfeelasifIhadrushedintoawhirlpool,fromwhichI
have,sincethefirstrashplungewasmade,beenvainlytryingtoescape。Ifeelsodreadfullyforlorn。Ihardlyknowanybodyhereexceptmycousin,whoinvitedme,andIhardlythinkIknowhimeither。\"
\"Well,sinceyouareirredeemablycommitted,\"
repliedRalph,asthemusic,aftersomeprefatoryflourishes,brokeintothedeliciousrhythmofaStrausswaltz,\"thenitisnousestrugglingagainstfate。Come,letusmaketheplungetogether。Miserylovescompany。\"
Heofferedherhisarm,andshearose,somewhathesitatingly,andfollowed。
\"Iamafraid,\"shewhispered,astheyfellintolinewiththeprocessionthatwasmovingdownthelonghall,\"thatyouhaveaskedmetodancemerelybecauseIsaidIfeltforlorn。Ifthatisthecase,Ishouldprefertobeledbacktomyseat。\"
\"Whatabaseimputation!\"criedRalph。
Therewassomethingsocharminglynaiveinthisself—depreciation——somethingsoaltogethernovelinhisexperience,and,hecouldnothelpadding,justalittlebitcountrified。Hisspiritsrose;hebegantorelishkeenlyhispositionasanexperiencedmanoftheworld,and,intheagreeableglowofpatronageandconscioussuperiority,chattedwithheartyABANDONwithhislittlerusticbeauty。
\"IfyourdancingisasperfectasyourGermanexerciseswere,\"saidshe,laughing,astheyswungoutuponthefloor,\"thenIpromisemyselfagooddealofpleasurefromourmeeting。\"
\"Neverfear,\"answeredhe,quicklyreversinghisstep,andwhirlingwithmanyacapriciousturnawayamongthethrongingcouples。
WhenRalphdrovehomeinhiscarriagetowardmorninghebrieflysummeduphisimpressionsofBerthainthefollowingadjectives:
intelligent,delightfullyunsophisticated,alittlebitverdant,butdevilishpretty。
SomeweekslaterColonelGrimreceivedanappointmentatthefortressofAggershuus,andimmediatelytookuphisresidenceinthecapital。
Hesawthathissoncutafinefigureinthehighestcirclesofsociety,andexpressedhisgratificationinthemostemphaticterms。Ifhehadknown,however,thatRalphwasinthehabitofvisiting,withalarmingregularity,atthehouseofaplebeianmerchantinasomewhatobscurestreet,hewould,nodoubt,havebeenmorecharyofhispraise。ButtheColonelsuspectednothing,anditwaswellforthepeaceofthefamilythathedidnot。ItmayhavebeencowardiceinRalphthathenevermentionedBertha’snametohisfamilyortohisaristocraticacquaintances;for,tobecandid,hehimselffeltashamedofthepowersheexertedoverhim,andbyturnspitiedandridiculedhimselfforpursuingsoingloriousaconquest。Neverthelessitwoundedhisegotismthatshenevershowedanysurpriseatseeinghim,thatshereceivedhimwithacertainfrankunceremoniousness,which,however,wasverybecomingtoher;