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The Lapp stood pondering and gazing after it, with the bonde's money in his palm, till the cold began to penetrate even his thick skin-clothing and his fat little body, well anointed with whale-oil though it was, and becoming speedily conscious of this, he scampered with extraordinary agility, considering the dimensions of his snow-shoes, into the hut where he had his dwelling, relating to all who choose to hear, the news of old Lovisa Elsland's death, and the account of his brief interview with the dreaded but generous pagan.
"I know," murmured Ulrika humbly, raising herself slightly from her kneeling posture; "I know it well! . . . . but, good Lovisa, be patient! I work for the best! Mr. Dyceworthy will do more for us than we can do for ourselves; he is wise and cautious " Lovisa interrupted her with a fierce gesture. "Fool!" she cried. "What need of caution? A witch is a witch, burn her, drown her!
What sentence would Eternal Justice pass upon the crime of murder? or attempt to murder? "I am guilty," the unhappy woman reflected, with a strong shudder chilling her veins, "guilty even as Lovisa! I tried to kill my child I thought, I hoped it was dead! It was not my meaning that it should live. And this Eternal Justice, may be, will judge the intention more than the crime.
"Anything to soothe her, poor soul!" she whispered, as she left Errington's side and advanced towards Lovisa till she was within reach of the old woman's hand.
His neighbors followed his example, and, save for two or three red glimmers of light here and there, the little village looked as though it had been deserted long ago a picture of frost-bound silence and solitude. Meanwhile, in Lovisa Elsland's close and comfortless dwelling, stood Olaf Gueldmar.
Ulrika looked at her searchingly, then bent her head, whether in gratitude or despair it was difficult to say. "Lovisa Elsland," she said monotonously, "I am going home. I cannot help you any longer! I am tired ill." Here she suddenly broke down, and, throwing up her arms with a wild gesture, she cried, "O God, God! O God!" and burst into a stormy passion of sobs and tears.
"Has Odin so endowed thee that thou shouldst boast of him? Listen to me, Olaf Gueldmar I have but little strength remaining, and I must speak briefly. Thy wife " "What of her?" said the bonde hastily. "Thou knewst her not." "I knew her," said Lovisa steadily, "as the lightning knows the tree it withers as the sea knows the frail boat it wrecks for sport on a windy day. Thou haughty Olaf!
"This little hand burns like fire, and thine eyes are too bright, surely, for sleep to visit them? Art sure that nothing ails thee?" "Sure, quite sure," answered the girl with a strange, dreamy smile. "I am quite well, and happy!" And she turned to enter the house. "Stay!" called the father. "Promise me thou wilt think no more of Lovisa!" "I had nearly forgotten her," she responded. "Poor thing!
"Why why are you sorry for me?" "Do not answer her, child!" interrupted Gueldmar angrily. "She is mad as the winds of a wild winter, and will but vex thee." But Thelma laid her hand soothingly on her father's, and smiled peacefully as she turned her fair face again towards Lovisa. "Why?" she said. "Because you seem so very lonely and sad and that must make you cross with every one who is happy!
Come, mistress, let us follow the sunshine!" And, taking the hand she extended towards him, he turned away, looking back once, however, to call out loudly "Good-bye, bad dreams!" As they disappeared behind the trees, Lovisa turned angrily to the still-sobbing Ulrika. "What is this folly?" she exclaimed, striking her staff fiercely into the ground. "Art mad or bewitched?"
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