Thenithadoccurredtohimforthefirsttimeinhislifethatawoman’sbehaviorneednotbethelogicalindicatorofherdeepestfeelings，and，enrichedwiththisjoyfuldiscovery，inspiredwithnewhope，hehadreturned，buthadnotdaredatoncetoseektheParsonage，untilhecouldinventsomeplausiblereasonforhisreturn;buthisimaginationwasverypoor，andhehadfoundnone，exceptthathelovedthepastor’sbeautifuldaughter。
Theeveningworeon。Thebroadmountain—
guardedvalley，floodednowtothebrimwithasoftmistylight，spreadoutaboutthem，andfilledthemwithadelicioussenseofsecurity。
Thefjordlifteditsgravegazetowardthesky，anddeepenedresponsivelywithabright，ever—
recedingimmensity。Theyounggirlfeltthisblessedpeacegentlystealingoverher;doubtandstrugglewereallpast，andthesunshoneeversereneandunobscureduponthewideningexpansesofthefuture。Andinhisbreast，too，thatmoodreignedinwhichlifelooksboundlessandradiant，humanwoessmallorimpossible，andone’sownselflargeandall—conquering。
Inthathourtheyremodeledthisoldandobstinateworldofours，neverdoubtingthat，ifeachunitedhisfaithandstrengthwiththeother’s，theycouldtogetherliftitsburden。
ThatnightwasthehappiestandmostmemorablenightinthehistoryoftheGranParsonage。
Thepastorwalkedupanddownonthefloor，rubbinghishandsinquietcontentment。Inga，towhomanengagementwasessentiallyasol—
emnaffair，satinacornerandgazedathersisterandStrandwithtearfulradiance。Arnfinngaveventtohisjoybybestowingembracespromiscuouslyuponwhomsoeverchancedtocomeinhisway。
Thisstory，however，hasabriefbutnotunimportantsequel。ItwasnotmanyweeksafterthishappyeveningthatArnfinnandthemaidenwiththe\"amusinglyunclassicalnose\"presentedthemselvesinthepastor’sstudyandaskedforhispaternalandunofficialblessing。Butthepastor，Iamtold，grewverywroth，anddemandedthathisnephewshouldfirsttakehissecondandthirddegrees，attaching，besides，someveryodiousstipulationsregardingaverageinstudyandcollegestanding，beforetherecouldbeanytalkaboutengagementormatrimony。
So，atpresent，Arnfinnisstillstudying，andthefair—hairedIngaisstillwaiting。
TRULS，THENAMELESS。
HEwasborninthehouseman’slodge;
sheinthegreatmansion。Hedidnotknowwhohisfatherwas;shewasthedaughterofGrimofSkogli，andshewastheonlydaughterhehad。Theywerecarriedtobaptismonthesameday，andhewascalledTruls，becausetheyhadtocallhimsomething;
shereceivedthenameofBorghild，becausethathadbeenthenameofeveryeldestborndaughterinthefamilyforthirtygenerations。Theybothcriedwhenthepastorpouredthewaterontheirheads;hismotherhushedhim，blushed，andlookedtimidlyaroundher;
butthewomanwhocarriedBorghildliftedherhighupinherarmssothateverybodycouldseeher，andthepastorsmiledbenignly，andtheparishionerssaidthattheyhadneverseensobeautifulachild。Thatwasthewayinwhichtheybeganlife——heasachildofsin，sheasthedaughterofamightyrace。
Theygrewuptogether。Shehadroundcheeksandmerryeyes，andherlipswereredderthantheredrose。Hewasofslendergrowth，hisfacewasthinandpale，andhiseyeshadastrange，benumbedgaze，asiftheywerepuzzlingthemselveswithsomesad，life—longriddlewhichtheyneverhopedtosolve。Onthestrandwheretheyplayedthebillowscameandwent，andtheymurmuredfaintlywithasoundofinfiniteremoteness。Borghildlaughedaloud，clappedherhandsandthrewstonesoutintothewater，whilehesatpaleandsilent，andsawthegreatwhite—wingedsea—birdssailingthroughtheblueoceanofthesky。
\"Howwouldyouliketolivedownthereinthedeepgreenwater？\"sheaskedhimoneday，astheysatwatchingtheeider—duckswhichswamanddived，andstoodontheirheadsamongthesea—weeds。
\"Ishouldlikeitverywell，\"heanswered，\"ifyouwouldfollowme。\"
\"No，Iwon’tfollowyou，\"shecried。\"Itiscoldandwetdowninthewater。AndIshouldspoiltheribbonsonmynewbodice。ButwhenIgrowupandgetbigandcanbraidmyhair，thenIshallrowwiththeyoungladstothechurchyonderontheheadland，andtheretheoldpastorwillmarryme，andIshallwearthebigsilvercrownwhichmymotherworewhenshewasmarried。\"
\"AndmayIgowithyou？\"askedhe，timidly。
\"Yes，youmaysteermyboatandbemyhelmsman，or——youmaybemybridegroom，ifyouwouldlikethatbetter。\"
\"Yes，IthinkIshouldratherbeyourbridegroom，\"andhegaveheralong，strangelookwhichalmostfrightenedher。
Theyearsslippedby，andbeforeBorghildknewit，shehadgrownintowomanhood。ThedownonTruls’scheeksbecamerougher，andhe，too，begantosuspectthathewasnolongeraboy。Whenthesunwaslateandthebreezemurmuredinthegreat，dark—crownedpines，theyoftenmetbychance，atthewell，onthestrand，oronthesaeter—green。Andtheoftenertheymetthemoretheyfoundtotalkabout;tobesure，itwasshewhodidthetalking，andhelookedatherwithhislargewonderingeyesandlistened。Shetoldhimofthelambwhichhadtumbleddownoverasteepprecipiceandstillwasunhurt，ofthebabywhopulledthepastor’shairlastSundayduringthebaptismalceremony，orofthelumberman，Lars，whodrankthekero—
senehiswifegavehimforbrandy，andneverknewthedifference。But，whenthemilkmaidspassedby，shewouldsuddenlyforgetwhatshehadbeensaying，andthentheysatgazingateachotherinsilence。OnceshetoldhimoftheladswhodancedwithheratthepartyatHoug;
andshethoughtshenoticedadeepercoloronhisface，andthatheclinchedbothhisfistsand——thrustthemintohispockets。Thatsetherthinking，andthemoreshethought，themorecuriousshegrew。Heplayedtheviolinwell;
supposesheshouldaskhimtocomeandfiddleatthepartyherfatherwastogiveattheendoftheharvest。Sheresolvedtodoit，andhe，notknowingwhatmovedher，gavehispromiseeagerly。Itstruckher，afterward，thatshehaddoneawickedthing，but，likemostgirls，shehadnotthehearttowrestlewithanuncomfortablethought;sheshookitoffandbegantohumasnatchofanoldsong。
\"O’erthebillowsthefleet—footedstorm—windrode，Thebillowsbluearethemerman’sabode，Sostrangelythatharpwassounding。\"
Thememoryofoldtimescamebacktoher，thememoryofthemorninglongyearsago，whentheysattogetheronthestrand，andhesaid;\"IthinkIwouldratherbeyourbride—
groom，Borghild。\"Thememorywassweetbutitwasbittertoo;andthebitternessroseandfilledherheart。Shethrewherheadbackproudly，andlaughedastrange，hollowlaugh。
\"Abastard’sbride，ha，ha！Afinetalewerethatfortheparishgossips。\"Ayellowbutterflylightedonherarm，andwithafiercefrownonherfaceshecaughtitbetweenherfingers。
Thenshelookedpityinglyonthedeadwings，astheylayinherhand，andmurmuredbetweenherteeth：\"Poorthing！Whydidyoucomeinmyway，unbidden？\"
Theharvestwasrich，andtheharvestpartywastokeeppacewiththeharvest。ThebroadSkoglimansionwasfestivelylighted（foritwasalreadylateinSeptember）;thetall，straighttallowcandles，stuckinmany—armedcandlesticks，shonedimlythroughasortofmistyhalo，andonlysuffusedtheduskwithafaintglimmeringoflight。Andeverytimeaguestentered，theflamesofthecandlesflickeredandtwistedthemselveswiththewind，strugglingtokeeperect。AndBorghild’scourage，too，roseandfellwiththeflickeringmotionofaflamewhichwrestleswiththewind。WheneverthelatchclickedsheliftedhereyesandlookedforTruls，andonemomentshewishedthatshemightneverseehisfaceagain，andinthenextshesentaneagerglancetowardthedoor。Presentlyhecame，threwhisfiddleonabench，andwitharecklessairwalkeduptoherandheldouthishand。Shehesitatedtoreturnhisgreeting，butwhenshesawthedeeplinesofsufferinginhisface，herheartwentforwardwithagreattendernesstowardhim，atendernesssuchasonefeelsforachildwhoissick，andsufferswithouthopeofhealing。Shelaidherhandinhis，andthereitlayforawhilelistlessly;forneitherdaredtrustthejoywhichthesightoftheotherenkindled。Butwhenshetriedtodrawherhandaway，hecaughtitquickly，andwithasuddenfervorofvoicehesaid：
\"Thesightofyou，Borghild，stillsthehungerwhichisraginginmysoul。Bewarethatyoudonotplaywithalife，Borghild，eventhoughitbeaworthlessone。\"
Therewassomethingsohopelesslysadinhiswords，thattheystunghertothequick。Theylaidbareahiddendeepinherheart，andsheshrankbackstthesightofherownvileness。
Howcouldsherepairtheinjuryshehaddonehim？Howcouldshehealthewoundshehadinflicted？AnumberofguestscameuptogreetherandamongthemSyvertStein，abold—look—
ingyoungman，who，duringthatsummer，hadledherfrequentlyinthedance。Hehadasquareface，strongfeatures，andahugecropoftowyhair。Hisracewasfar—famedforwitanddaring。
\"Tardyisyourwelcome，BorghildofSkogli，\"
quothhe。\"Butwhatafaintheartdoesnotgiveaboldhandcangrasp，andwhatIamnotofferedItakeunbidden。\"
Sosaying，heflunghisarmaboutherwaist，liftedherfromthefloorandputherdowninthemiddleoftheroom。Trulsstoodandgazedatthemwithlarge，bewilderedeyes。Hetriedhardtodespisethebraggart，butendedwithenvyinghim。
\"Ha，fiddler，strikeupatunethatshallringthroughmarrowandbone，\"shoutedSyvertStein，whostruckthefloorwithhisheelsandmovedhisbodytothemeasureofaspring—dance。
Trulsstillfollowedthemwithhiseyes;
suddenlyheleapedup，andawildthoughtburnedinhisbreast。Butwithanefforthecheckedhimself，graspedhisviolin，andstruckawailingchordoflament。Thenhelaidhisearclosetotheinstrument，asifhewerelisteningtosomelivingvoicehiddentherewithin，ranwa—
rilywiththebowoverthestrings，andwarbled，andcaroled，andsangwithmaddeningglee，andstillwithashiveringundercurrentofwoe。Andtheduskwhichsleptupontheblackrafterswasquickenedandshookwiththeweirdsound;
everypulseinthewidehallbeatmorerapidly，andeveryeyekindledwithabolderfire。
Pressently{sic}aStrongmalevoicesangouttothemeasureoftheviolin：
\"Come，fairestmaid，treadthedancewithme;
Oheighho！\"
Andaclear，tremuloustrebleanswered：
\"SogladlytreadIthedancewiththee;
Oheighho！\"
Trulsknewthevoicesonlytoowell;itwasSyvertSteinandBorghildwhoweresingingastave。[8]
[8]Astaveisanimprovisedresponsivesong。ItisanancientpastimeinNorway，andiskeptupuntilthisday，especiallyamongthepeasantry。
Thestudents，also，attheirsocialgatherings，throwimprovisedrhymestoeachotheracrossthetable，andtherestofthecompanyrepeattherefrain。
Syvert——Likebrier—rosesthyredcheeksblush，Borghild——Andthineareroughlikethethornybush;
Both——An’aheigho！
Syvert——Sofreshandgreenisthesunnylea;
Oheighho！
Borghild——Thefiddletwangethsomerrily;
Oheighho！
Syvert——Solightlygoeththelustyreel，Borghild——Androundwewhirllikeaspinning—wheel;
Both——An’aheigho！
Syvert——Thineeyesarebrightlikethesunnyfjord;
Oheighho！
Borghild——AndthinedoflashlikeaViking’ssword;
Oheighho！
Syvert——Solightlytrippeththyfootalong，Borghild——Theairisteemingwithjoyfulsong;
Both——An’aheighho！
Syvert——Thenfairestmaid，whilethewoodsaregreen，Oheighho！
Borghild——Andthrushessingthefreshleavesbetween;
Oheighho！
Syvert——Come，letusdanceinthegladsomeday，Borghild——Dancehate，andsorrow，andcareaway;
Both——An’aheighho！
Thestavewasatanend。Thehotandflusheddancersstraggledoverthefloorbytwosandthrees，andthebigbeer—hornswerepassedfromhandtohand。Trulssatinhiscornerhugginghisviolintightlytohisbosom，onlytodosomething，forhewasvaguelyafraidofhimself——
afraidofthethoughtsthatmightrise——afraidofthedeedtheymightprompt。Heranhisfingersoverhisforehead，buthehardlyfeltthetouchofhisownhand。Itwasasifsomethingwasdeadwithinhim——asifastringhadsnappedinhisbreast，andleftitbenumbedandvoiceless。
PresentlyhelookedupandsawBorghildstandingbeforehim;sheheldherarmsakimbo，hereyesshonewithastrangelight，andherfeaturesworeanairofrecklessnessmingledwithpity。
\"Ah，Borghild，isityou？\"saidhe，inahoarsevoice。\"Whatdoyouwantwithme？I
thoughtyouhaddonewithmenow。\"
\"Youareaveryunwittyfellow，\"answeredshe，withaforcedlaugh。\"Thebranchthatdoesnotbendmustbreak。\"
Sheturnedquicklyonherheelandwaslostinthecrowd。Hesatlongponderingonherwords，buttheirmeaningremainedhiddentohim。Thebranchthatdoesnotbendmustbreak。Washethebranch，andmusthebendorbreak？By—and—byheputhishandsonhisknees，rosewithaslow，uncertainmotion，andstalkedheavilytowardthedoor。Thefreshnightairwoulddohimgood。ThethoughtbreathesmorebrisklyinGod’sfreenature，underthebroadcanopyofheaven。Thewhitemistrosefromthefields，andmadethevalleybelowappearlikeawhiteseawhosenearnessyoufeel，eventhoughyoudonotseeit。Andoutofthemistthedarkpinesstretchedtheirwarninghandsagainstthesky，andthemoonwasswimming，largeandplacid，betweensilveryislandsofcloud。Trulsbegantobeathisarmsagainsthissides，andfeltthewarmbloodspreadingfromhisheartandthawingthenumbnessofhislimbs。Notcaringwhitherhewent，hestruckthepathleadingupwardtothemountains。Hetooktohumminganoldairwhichhappenedtocomeintohishead，onlytotryiftherewaslifeenoughleftinhimtosing。
ItwastheballadofYoungKirstenandtheMerman：
\"Thebillowsfallandthebillowsswell，Inthenightsolone，Inthebillowsbluedoththemermandwell，Andstrangelythatharpwassounding。\"
Hewalkedonbrisklyforawhile，and，lookingbackuponthepainhehadenduredbutamomentago，hefounditquitefoolishandirrational。Anabsurdmerrimenttookpossessionofhim;butallthewhilehedidnotknowwherehisfootstepped;hisheadswam，andhispulsebeatfeverishly。Aboutmidwaybetweentheforestandthemansion，wherethefieldslopedmoresteeply，grewaclumpofbirch—trees，whoseslenderstemsglimmeredghostlywhiteinthemoonlight。SomethingdroveTrulstoleavethebeatenroad，and，obeyingtheimpulse，hesteeredtowardthebirches。Astrangesoundfelluponhisear，likethemoanofoneindistress。Itdidnotstartlehim;indeed，hewasinamoodwhennothingcouldhavecausedhimwonder。Iftheskyhadsuddenlytumbleddownuponhim，withmoonandall，hewouldhavetakenitasamatterofcourse。Peeringforamomentthroughthemist，hediscernedtheoutlineofahumanfigure。Withthreegreatstrideshereachedthebirch—tree;athisfeetsatBorghildrockingherselftoandfroandweepingpiteously。Withoutawordheseatedhimselfathersideandtriedtocatchaglimpseofherface;butshehiditfromhimandwentonsobbing。StilltherecouldbenodoubtthatitwasBorghild——onehouragosomerry，reckless，anddefiant，nowcoweringathisfeetandweepinglikeabroken—heartedchild。
\"Borghild，\"hesaid，atlast，puttinghisarmgentlyaboutherwaist，\"youandI，Ithink，playedtogetherwhenwewerechildren。\"
\"Sowedid，Truls，\"answeredshe，strugglingwithhertears。
\"Andaswegrewup，wespentmanyapleasanthourwitheachother。\"
\"Manyapleasanthour。\"
Sheraisedherhead，andhedrewhermorecloselytohim。
\"ButsincethenIhavedoneyouagreatwrong，\"beganshe，afterawhile。
\"Nothingdonethatcannotyetbeundone，\"
hetookhearttoanswer。
Itwaslongbeforeherthoughtstookshape，and，whenatlengththeydid，shedarednotgivethemutterance。Nevertheless，shewasallthetimeconsciousofonestrongdesire，fromwhichherconscienceshrankasfromacrime;
andshewrestledineffectuallywithherweaknessuntilherweaknessprevailed。
\"Iamgladyoucame，\"shefaltered。\"I
knewyouwouldcome。TherewassomethingI
wishedtosaytoyou。\"
\"Andwhatwasit，Borghild？\"
\"Iwantedtoaskyoutoforgiveme——\"
\"Forgiveyou——\"
Hesprangupasifsomethinghadstunghim。
\"Andwhynot？\"shepleaded，piteously。
\"Ah，girl，youknownotwhatyouask，\"
criedhe，withasternnesswhichstartledher。
\"IfIhadmorethanonelifetowaste——butyoucaresswithonehandandstabwiththeother。
Faretheewell，Borghild，forhereourpathsseparate。\"
Heturnedhisbackuponherandbegantodescendtheslope。
\"ForGod’ssake，stay，Truls，\"imploredshe，andstretchedherarmsappealinglytowardhim;
\"tellme，oh，tellmeall。\"
Withaleaphewasagainatherside，stoopeddownoverher，and，inahoarse，passionatewhisper，spokethesecretofhislifeinherear。
Shegazedforamomentsteadilyintohisface，then，inafewhurriedwords，shepledgedhimherlove，herfaith，herall。Andinthestillnessofthatsummernighttheyplannedtogethertheirflighttoagreaterandfreerland，wherenoworld—oldprejudicefrownedupontheunionoftwokindredsouls。Theywouldwaitinpatienceandsilenceuntilspring;thencomethefreshwindsfromtheocean，and，withthem，thebirdsofpassagewhichawakethelongingsintheNorsernen’sbreasts，andtheAmericanvesselswhichgivecouragetomanyasinkingspirit，strengthtotheweariedarm，hopetothehopelessheart。
DuringthatwinterTrulsandBorghildseldomsaweachother。Theparishwasfilledwithrumors，andaftertheChristmasholidayitwastoldforcertainthattheproudmaidenofSkoglihadbeenpromisedinmarriagetoSyvertStein。Itwasthegeneralbeliefthatthefamilieshadmadethematch，andthatBorghild，atleast，hadhardlyhadanyvoiceinthematter。
Anotherreportwasthatshehadflatlyrefusedtolistentoanyproposalfromthatquarter，andthat，whenshefoundthatresistancewasvain，shehadcriedthreedaysandthreenights，andrefusedtotakeanyfood。Whenthisrumorreachedthepastor’sear，hepronounceditanidletale;\"for，\"saidhe，\"Borghildhasalwaysbeenaproperandwell—behavedmaiden，andsheknowsthatshemusthonorfatherandmother，thatitmaybewellwithher，andshelivelongupontheland。\"
ButBorghildsataloneinhergablewindowandlookedlonginglytowardtheocean。Theglaciersglittered，theriversswelled，thebudsoftheforestburst，andgreatwhitesailsbegantoglimmeronthefarwesternhorizon。
IfTruls，theNameless，asscofferswerewonttocallhim，hadbeenagreaterpersonageinthevalley，itwould，nodoubt，haveshockedthegossipstoknowthatonefinemorninghesoldhiscow，hisgunandhisdog，andwrappedsixtysilverdollarsinaleathernbag，whichhesewedfasttothegirdleheworeabouthiswaist。ThatsamenightsomeonewasheardplayingwildlyupinthebirchcopseabovetheSkoglimansion;
nowitsoundedlikeawailofdistress，thenlikeafierce，defiantlaugh，andnowagainthemusicseemedtohushitselfintoaheart—broken，sorrowfulmoan，andthepeoplecrossedthemselves，andwhispered：\"OurFather;\"butBorghildsatathergablewindowandlistenedlongtotheweirdstrain。Themidnightcame，butshestirrednot。
Withthehourofmidnightthemusicceased。
Fromthewindowsofhallandkitchenthelightstreamedoutintothedampair，andthedarknessstoodlikeawalloneitherside;within，maidsandladswerebusybrewing，baking，andwashing，forinaweektherewastobeaweddingonthefarm。
Theweekwentandtheweddingcame。
Trulshadnotclosedhiseyesallthatnight，andbeforedaybreakhesauntereddownalongthebeachandgazedoutuponthecalmfjord，wherethewhite—wingedsea—birdswhirledingreatairysurgesaroundthebarecrags。Farupabovethenoisythronganospraysailedontheblueexpanseofthesky，andquickasthoughtswoopeddownuponahalibutwhichhadventuredtotakeapeepattherisingsun。
Thehugefishstruggledforamomentatthewater’sedge，then，withapowerfulstrokeofitstail，whichsentthesprayhissingthroughtheair，divedbelowthesurface。Thebirdofpreygavealoudscream，flappedfiercelywithitsbroadwings，andforseveralminutesathickeningcloudofapplaudingducksandseagullsandshowersofsprayhidthecombatfromtheobserver’seye。Whenthebirdsscattered，theosprayhadvanished，andthewatersagainglitteredcalmlyinthemorningsun。Trulsstoodlong，vacantlystaringoutuponthesceneoftheconflict，andmanystrangethoughtswhirledthroughhishead。
\"Halloo，fiddler！\"criedacoupleofladswhohadcometocleartheweddingboats，\"youareearlyonfootto—day。Hereisascoop。Comeonandhelpusbailtheboats。\"
Trulstookthescoop，andlookedatitasifhehadneverseensuchathingbefore;hemovedaboutheavily，hardlyknowingwhathedid，butconsciousallthewhileofhisowngreatmisery。
Hislimbsseemedhalffrozen，andadullpaingatheredabouthisheadandinhisbreast——infact，everywhereandnowhere。
Aboutteno’clockthebridalprocessiondescendedtheslopetothefjord。SyvertStein，thebridegroom，trodtheearthwithafirm，springystep，andspokemanyacheerywordtothobride，whowalked，silentandwithdowncasteyes，athisside。Sheworetheancestralbridalcrownonherhead，andthelittlesilverdisksarounditsedgetinkledandshookasshewalked。Theyhailedherwithfiringofgunsandloudhurrahsasshesteppedintotheboat;
stillshedidnotraisehereyes，butremainedsilent。Asmallcannon，alsoanheir—loominthefamily，wasplacedamidships，andTruls，withhisviolin，tookhisseatintheprow。Alargesolitarycloud，gold—rimmedbutwiththunderinitsbreast，sailedacrosstheskyandthrewitsshadowoverthebridalboatasitwaspushedoutfromtheshore，andtheshadowfelluponthebride’scountenancetoo;andwhensheliftedit，themotherofthebridegroom，whosatoppositeher，shrankback，forthecountenancelookedhard，asifcarvedinstone——intheeyesamute，hopelessappeal;onthelipsafrozenprayer。Theshadowofthunderuponalifethatwasopening——itwasanillomen，anditsgloomsankintotheheartsoftheweddingguests。Theyspokeinundertonesandthrewpityingglancesatthebride。ThenatlengthSyvertSteinlosthispatience。
\"Insooth，\"criedhe，springingupfromhisseat，\"whereisto—daythecheerthatiswonttoabideintheNorseman’sbreast？MethinksI
seebutsullenairsandill—bodingglances。Ha，fiddler，nowmoveyourstringslustily！Noneofyourfuneralairs，mylad，butamerrytunethatshallsingthroughmarrowandbone，andmaketheheartleapinthebosom。\"
Trulsheardthewords，andinaslow，mechanicalwayhetooktheviolinoutofitscaseandraisedittohischin。Syvertinthemeanwhileputahugesilverbeer—jugtohismouth，and，pledginghisguests，emptiediteventothedregs。Butthebride’scheekwaspale;anditwassostillintheboatthateverymancouldhearhisownbreathing。
\"Ha，to—dayisSyvertStein’swedding—day！\"
shoutedthebridegroom，growinghotwithwrath。\"Letustryiftheironvoiceofthecannoncanwakemyguestsfromtheirslumber。\"
Hestruckamatchandputittothetouch—
holeofthecannon;alongboomrolledawayoverthesurfaceofthewatersandstartledtheechoesofthedistantglaciers。Afainthurrahsoundedfromthenearestcraft，buttherecamenoresponsefromthebridalboat。Syvertpulledthepowder—hornfromhispocket，laughedawildlaugh，andpouredthewholecontentsofthehornintothemouthofthecannon。
\"Nowmaythedevilcareforhisown，\"roaredhe，andsprangupupontherow—bench。Thentherecamealowmurmuringstrainasofwaveletsthatrippleagainstasandyshore。Borghildliftedhereyes，andtheymetthoseofthefiddler。
\"Ah，IthinkIshouldratherbeyourbridegroom，\"whisperedshe，andarayoflifestoleintoherstonyvisage。
Andshesawherselfasalittlerosy—cheekedgirlsittingathissideonthebeachfifteenyearsago。Butthemusicgatheredstrengthfromherglance，andonwarditrushedthroughthenoisyyearsofboyhood，shoutingwithwantonvoiceinthelonelyglen，lowingwiththecattleonthemountainpastures，andleapinglikethetroutateventideinthebrawlingrapids;butthroughitallthereranawarmstrainofboyishloyaltyandstrongdevotion，anditthawedherfrozenheart;forsheknewthatitwasallforherandforheronly。Anditseemedsuchabeautifulthing，thislongfaithfullife，whichthroughsorrowandjoy，throughsunshineandgloom，forbetterforworse，hadclungsofasttoher。Theweddingguestsraisedtheirheads，andamurmurofapplauseranoverthewaters。
\"Bravo！\"criedthebridegroom。\"Nowatlastthetonguesareloosed。\"
Truls’sgazedweltwithtendersadnessonthebride。Thencamefromthestringssomeairyquiveringchords，faintlyflushedlikethepetalsoftherose，andfragrantlikeliliesofthevalley;
andtheyswelledwithastrong，awakeninglife，androsewithastormyfullnessuntiltheyseemedonthepointofbursting，whenagaintheyhushedthemselvesandsankintoalow，disconsolatewhisper。Oncemorethetonesstretchedouttheirarmsimploringly，andagaintheywrestleddespairinglywiththemselves，fledwithasternvoiceofwarning，returnedoncemore，wept，shuddered，andweresilent。
\"Bewarethatthoudostnotplaywithalife！\"
sighedthebride，\"eventhoughitbeaworthlessone。\"
Theweddingguestsclappedtheirhandsandshoutedwildlyagainstthesky。Thebride’scountenanceburnedwithastrangefeverishglow。Thefiddleraroseintheprowoftheboat，hiseyesflamed，hestruckthestringsmadly，andtheairtrembledwithmelodiousrapture。Thevoiceofthatmusicnolivingtonguecaninterpret。Butthebridefathomeditsmeaning;herbosomlaboredvehemently，herlipsquiveredforaninstantconvulsively，andsheburstintotears。Adarksuspicionshotthroughthebridegroom’smind。
HestaredintentlyupontheweepingBorghildthenturnedhisgazetothefiddler，who，stillregardingher，stoodplaying，withahalf—frenziedlookandmotion。
\"Youcursedwretch！\"shriekedSyvert，andmadealeapovertwobenchestowhereTrulswasstanding。ItcamesounexpectedlythatTrulshadnotimetopreparefordefense;sohemerelystretchedoutthehandinwhichheheldtheviolintowardofftheblowwhichhesawwascoming;butSyverttoretheinstrumentfromhisgraspanddasheditagainstthecannon，and，asithappened，justagainstthetouch—hole。
Withatremendouscrashsomethingblackdartedthroughtheairandawhitesmokebroodedoverthebridalboat。Thebridegroomstoodpaleandstunned。AthisfeetlayBorghild——
layforamomentstill，asiflifeless，thenroseonherelbows，andadarkredcurrentbrokefromherbreast。Thesmokescattered。
Noonesawhowitwasdone;butamomentlaterTruls，theNameless，laykneelingatBorghild’sside。
\"ItWASaworthlesslife，beloved，\"whisperedhe，tenderly。\"Nowitisatanend。\"
Andheliftedherupinhisarmsasoneliftsabelovedchild，pressedakissonherpalelips，andleapedintothewater。Likeleadtheyfellintothesea。Athrongofwhitebubbleswhirleduptothesurface。Aloudwailrosefromthebridalfleet，andbeforethedaywasatanenditfilledthevalley;butthewaildidnotrecallTruls，theNameless，orBorghildhisbride。
Whatlifedeniedthem，wouldtoGodthatdeathmayyieldthem！
ASATHOR’SVENGEANCE。
I。
ITwasrightupunderthesteelmountainwallwherethefarmofKvaerklay。Howanymanofcommonsensecouldhavehitupontheideaofbuildingahousethere，wherenonebutthegoatandthehawkhadeasyaccess，hadbeen，andIamafraidwouldeverbe，amatterofwondertotheparishpeople。However，itwasnotLageKvaerkwhohadbuiltthehouse，sohecouldhardlybemaderesponsibleforitssituation。Moreover，tomovefromaplacewhereone’slifehasoncestruckdeeproot，evenifitbeinthechinksandcrevicesofstonesandrocks，isaboutthesameastodestroyit。Anoldtreegrowsbutpoorlyinanewsoil。SoLageKvaerkthought，andsohesaid，too，wheneverhiswifeElsiespokeofhersunnyhomeattheriver。
GloomyasLageusuallywas，hehadhisbrightermoments，andpeoplenoticedthattheseweremostlikelytooccurwhenAasa，hisdaughter，wasnear。LagewasprobablyalsotheonlybeingwhomAasa’spresencecouldcheer;onotherpeopleitseemedtohavetheveryoppositeeffect;forAasawas——accordingtothetestimonyofthosewhoknewher——themostpeculiarcreaturethateverwasborn。Butperhapsnoonedidknowher;ifherfatherwasright，noonereallydid——atleastnoonebuthimself。
Aasawasalltoherfather;shewashispastandshewashisfuture，hishopeandhislife;
andwithalitmustbeadmittedthatthosewhojudgedherwithoutknowingherhadatleastinonerespectasjustanopinionofherashe;fortherewasnodenyingthatshewasstrange，verystrange。Shespokewhensheoughttobesilent，andwassilentwhenitwaspropertospeak;weptwhensheoughttolaugh，andlaughedwhenitwaspropertoweep;butherlaughteraswellashertears，herspeechlikehersilence，seemedtohavetheirsourcefromwithinherownsoul，tobeoccasioned，asitwere，bysomethingwhichnooneelsecouldseeorhear。
Itmadelittledifferencewhereshewas;ifthetearscame，sheyieldedtothemasiftheyweresomethingshehadlongdesiredinvain。Fewcouldweeplikeher，and\"weeplikeAasaKvaerk，\"wassoonalsoaddedtothestockofparishproverbs。Andthenherlaugh！Tearsmaybeinopportuneenough，whentheycomeoutoftime，butlaughterisfarworse;andwhenpoorAasaonceburstoutintoaringinglaughterinchurch，andthatwhiletheministerwaspronouncingthebenediction，itwasonlywiththegreatestdifficultythatherfathercouldpreventtheindignantcongregationfromseizingherandcarryingherbeforethesheriffforviolationofthechurch—peace。Hadshebeenpoorandhomely，thenofcoursenothingcouldhavesavedher;butshehappenedtobebothrichandbeautiful，andtowealthandbeautymuchispardoned。Aasa’sbeauty，however，wasalsoofaveryunusualkind;notthetamesweetnesssocommoninhersex，butsomethingofthebeautyofthefalcon，whenitswoopsdownupontheunwatchfulsparroworsoarsroundthelonelycrags;somethingofthemysticdepthofthedarktarn，whenwithbodefultremblingyougazedownintoit，andseeitsweirdtraditionsrisefromitsdepthandhoveroverthepine—topsinthemorningfog。Yet，Aasawasnotdark;
herhairwasasfairandyellowasawheat—fieldinAugust，herforeheadhighandclear，andhermouthandchinasifcutwithachisel;onlyhereyeswereperhapssomewhatdeeperthaniscommonintheNorth，andthelongeryoulookedatthemthedeepertheygrew，justlikethetarn，which，ifyoustarelongenoughintoit，youwillfindisasdeepastheheavensabove，thatis，whosedepthonlyfaithandfancycanfathom。ButhoweverlongyoulookedatAasa，youcouldneverbequitesurethatshelookedatyou;sheseemedbuttohalfnoticewhateverwentonaroundher;thelookofhereyewasalwaysmorethanhalfinward，andwhenitshonethebrightest，itmightwellhappenthatshecouldnothavetoldyouhowmanyyearsshehadlived，orthenameherfathergaveherinbaptism。
NowAasawaseighteenyearsold，andcouldknit，weave，andspin，anditwasfulltimethatwooersshouldcome。\"Butthatistheconsequenceoflivinginsuchanout—of—the—wayplace，\"saidhermother;\"whowillriskhislimbstoclimbthatneck—breakingrock？andtheround—aboutwayovertheforestisrathertoolongforawooer。\"Besideshandlingtheloomandthespinning—wheel，Aasahadalsolearnedtochurnandmakecheesetoperfection，andwheneverElsiegrievedatherstrangebehaviorshealwaysintheendconsoledherselfwiththereflectionthatafterallAasawouldmakethemanwhoshouldgetheranexcellenthousewife。
ThefarmofKvaerkwasindeedmostsingularlysituated。Aboutahundredfeetfromthehousetheroughwallofthemountainrosesteepandthreatening;andthemostremarkablepartofitwasthattherockitselfcavedinwardandformedaloftyarchoverhead，whichlookedlikeahugedoorleadingintothemountain。Someshortdistancebelow，theslopeofthefieldsendedinanabruptprecipice;farunderneathlaytheotherfarm—housesofthevalley，scatteredlikesmallredorgraydots，andtheriverwoundonwardlikeawhitesilverstripeintheshelteroftheduskyforest。Therewasapathdownalongtherock，whichagoatorabriskladmightbeinducedtoclimb，iftheprizeoftheexperimentweregreatenoughtojustifythehazard。ThecommonroadtoKvaerkmadealargecircuitaroundtheforest，andreachedthevalleyfarupatitsnorthernend。
ItwasdifficulttogetanythingtogrowatKvaerk。Inthespringallthevalleylaybareandgreen，beforethesnowhadbeguntothinkofmeltingupthere;andthenight—frostwouldbesuretomakeavisitthere，whilethefieldsalongtheriverlaysilentlydrinkingthesummerdew。OnsuchoccasionsthewholefamilyatKvaerkwouldhavetostayupduringallthenightandwalkbackandforthoneithersideofthewheat—fields，carryingalongropebetweenthemanddraggingitslowlyovertheheadsoftherye，topreventthefrostfromsettling;foraslongastheearscouldbekeptinmotion，theycouldnotfreeze。ButwhatdidthriveatKvaerkinspiteofbothsnowandnight—frostwaslegends，andtheythroveperhapsthebetterfortheverysterilityofitsmaterialsoil。Aasaofcoursehadheardthemallandknewthembyheart;theyhadbeenherfriendsfromchildhood，andheronlycompanions。Alltheservants，however，alsoknewthemandmanyothersbesides，andiftheywereaskedhowthemansionofKvaerkhappenedtobebuiltlikeaneagle’snestonthebrinkofaprecipice，theywouldtellyouthefollowing：
SaintOlaf，Norway’sholyking，inthetimeofhisyouthhadsailedasaVikingoverthewideocean，andinforeignlandshadlearnedthedoctrineofChristtheWhite。Whenhecamehometoclaimthethroneofhishereditarykingdom，hebroughtwithhimtapersandblackpriests，andcommandedthepeopletooverthrowthealtarsofOdinandThorandtobelievealoneinChristtheWhite。Ifanystilldaredtoslaughterahorsetotheoldgods，hecutofftheirears，burnedtheirfarms，anddrovethemhouselessfromthesmokingruins。HereinthevalleyoldThor，or，astheycalledhim，Asathor，hadalwayshelpedustovengeanceandvictory，andgentleFreyformanyyearshadgivenusfairandfertilesummers。ThereforethepeasantspaidlittleheedtoKingOlaf’sgod，andcontinuedtobringtheirofferingstoOdinandAsathor。Thisreachedtheking’sear，andhesummonedhisbishopandfiveblackpriests，andsetouttovisitourvalley。Havingarrivedhere，hecalledthepeasantstogether，stoodupontheTing—stone，toldthemofthegreatthingsthattheWhiteChristhaddone，andbadethemchoosebetweenhimandtheoldgods。Somewerescared，andreceivedbaptismfromtheking’spriests;othersbittheirlipsandweresilent;othersagainstoodforthandtoldSaintOlafthatOdinandAsathorhadalwaysservedthemwell，andthattheywerenotgoingtogivethemupforChristtheWhite，whomtheyhadneverseenandofwhomtheyknewnothing。
Thenextnighttheredcockcrew[9]overtenfarmsinthevalley，andithappenedtohetheirswhohadspokenagainstKingOlaf’sgod。ThenthepeasantsflockedtotheTing—stoneandreceivedthebaptismofChristtheWhite。Somefew，whohadmightykinsmenintheNorth，fledandspreadtheeviltidings。Onlyoneneitherflednorwasbaptized，andthatonewasLageUlfsonKvaerk，theancestorofthepresentLage。HeslewhisbeststeedbeforeAsathor’saltar，andpromisedtogivehimwhateverheshouldask，eventohisownlife，ifhewouldsavehimfromthevengeanceoftheking。Asathorheardhisprayer。Asthesunset，astormsprungupwiththickdarknessandgloom，theearthshook，Asathordrovehischariotovertheheavenswithdeafeningthunderandswunghishammerrightandleft，andthecracklinglightningflewthroughtheairlikeahail—stormoffire。Thenthepeasantstrembled，fortheyknewthatAsathorwaswroth。Onlythekingsatcalmandfearlesswithhisbishopandpriests，quaffingthenut—brownmead。Thetempestrageduntilmorn。Whenthesunrose，SaintOlafcalledhishundredswains，sprangintothesaddleandrodedowntowardtheriver。Fewmenwhosawtheangryfireinhiseye，andthefrownonhisroyalbrow，doubtedwhitherhewasbound。Buthavingreachedtheford，awondroussightmethiseye。WhereonthedaybeforethehighwayhadwounditselfuptheslopetowardLageKvaerk’smansion，laynowawildravine;therockwasshatteredintoathousandpieces，andadeepgorge，asifmadebyasinglestrokeofahugehammer，separatedthekingfromhisenemy。ThenSaintOlafmadethesignofthecross，andmumbledthenameofChristtheWhite;buthishundredswainsmadethesignofthehammerundertheircloaks，andthought，StillisAsathoralive。
[9]\"Theredcockcrew\"istheexpressionusedintheoldNorwegianFagasforincendiaryfire。
ThatsamenightLageUlfsonKvaerkslewablackram，andthankedAsathorforhisdeliverance;
andtheSagatellsthatwhilehewassprinklingthebloodonthealtar，thethunderinggodhimselfappearedtohim，andwilderhelookedthanthefiercestwildTurk。Rams，saidhe，wereevery—dayfare;theycouldredeemnopromise。Brynhild，hisdaughter，wastherewardAsathordemanded。Lageprayedandbesoughthimtoaskforsomethingelse。Hewouldgladlygivehimoneofhissons;forhehadthreesons，butonlyonedaughter。Asathorwasimmovable;butsolongLagecontinuedtobeg，thatatlastheconsentedtocomebackinayear，whenLageperchancewouldbebetterreconciledtothethoughtofBrynhild’sloss。
InthemeantimeKingOlafbuiltachurchtoChristtheWhiteontheheadlandattheriver，whereitstandsuntilthisday。Everyevening，whenthehugebellrumbledbetweenthemountains，theparishionersthoughttheyheardheavy，half—chokedsighsoverintherocksatKvaerk;
andonSundaymornings，whentheclear—voicedchimescalledthemtohigh—mass，asuppressedmoanwouldminglewiththesoundofthebells，anddieawaywiththelastecho。LageUlfsonwasnotthemantobeafraid;yetthechurch—
bellsmanyatimedrovethebloodfromhischeeks;
forhealsoheardthemoanfromthemountain。