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Updated: July 11, 2025
Out of the deep obscurity, like some gaunt spectre rising from the tomb, started a face, wrinkled, cadaverous, and distorted by suffering, a face in which the fierce, fevered eyes glittered with a strange and dreadful brilliancy the face of Lovisa Elsland, stern, forbidding, and already dark with the shadows of approaching death.
Ulrika had seen her but once since then, and that was on the occasion when, at the threat of Lovisa Elsland, and the command of the Reverend Mr. Dyceworthy, she had given her Sir Philip Errington's card, with the false message written on it that had decoyed her for a time into the wily minister's power.
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.
Do ye mind what Lovisa Elsland told us?" "Ay, ay," answered the first speaker, "Lovisa knows, Lovisa is the wisest woman we have in these parts that's true! The girl's a witch, for sure!" And they resumed their work in gloomy silence. Not one of them would have willingly labored on Olaf Gueldmar's land, had not the wages he offered been above the usual rate of hire, and times were bad in Norway.
Ulrika glared at her vengefully, then drew herself up with an air of defiance. "I care nothing for your taunts, Lovisa Elsland!" she said. "You can do me no harm! All is over between us! I will help in no mischief against the Gueldmars. Whatever their faults, they saved my child!" "Is that so great a blessing?" asked Lovisa ironically. "It makes your threats useless," answered Ulrika.
Thelma rose, surprised as his gesticulations, and came towards him; to her utter astonishment she found herself confronted by old Lovisa Elsland, and the Reverend Mr. Dyceworthy's servant, Ulrika. On both women's faces there was a curious expression of mingled fear, triumph, and malevolence. Lovisa was the first to break silence.
Of course there may be exceptions, but I tell you climatic influences have a great deal to do with the state of mind and morals. Now, take the example of that miserable old Lovisa Elsland. She is the victim of religious mania and religious mania, together with superstition of the most foolish kind, is common in Norway.
Thelma, touched by her utter misery, would have offered consolation, but Lovisa repelled her with a fierce gesture. "Go!" said the old woman harshly. "You have cast your spells upon her I am witness of your work! And shall you escape just punishment? No; not while there is a God in heaven, and I, Lovisa Elsland, live to perform His bidding!
I never knew that till long after; for years the crime I had committed weighed upon my soul, I prayed and strove with the Lord for pardon, but always, always felt that for me there, was no forgiveness. Lovisa Elsland used to call me "murderess;" she was right I was one, or so I thought till till that day I met you, Froeken Thelma, on the hills with Sigurd, and the lad fought with me."
"It is well, indeed, if I can be of service, Lovisa Elsland," responded Gueldmar, "though I am but a sorry consoler, holding as I do, that death is the chief blessing, and in no way to be regretted at any time. Moreover, when the body grows too weak to support the soul, 'tis as well to escape from it with what speed we may." "Escape escape? Where?" asked Lovisa. "From the worm that dieth not?
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