ng
the pleasant walk they had together he was most attentive, and in the
best of spirits.

Fanny was now more beaming than ever. Whenever she saw her own and
Madeleine's reflection in the glass, which, to tell the truth, was very
often the case, a smile of satisfaction would pass over her features.
Without Madeleine having a suspicion, the _roles_ had been changed, and
the play was ready to begin, now that Fanny had made up her mind that
the parts were in the right hands.

CHAPTER XI.

All the Miss Sparres, of whom there were five, rushed to the window.

"It is Mr. Johnsen, the new school-inspector! No, it isn't! Yes, it is!
It _is_ Mr. Johnsen! Do you think I don't know him, although he has got
a new coat? I declare, he is coming in!"

"Clementine, you have taken my cuffs! Yes, you have! They were on the
piano. He is only going in to see father. Clara, Clara! you are standing
on my dress! Here he is! It is a visit! Who can have taken my cuffs?"

Mrs. Sparre was not long in getting them into order. The street door was
opened. There was a moment's breathless expectation in the room. It was
agreed that Miss Barbara, the eldest, was to say, "Come in," and as all
eyes were fixed upon her, she became quite pale with emotion. A knock at
the door was heard; but it was at the study door, and the dean said,
"Come in!" The door was heard to open, and a subdued conversation began
in the room.

"I told you he was only going to see father."

"Yes, and so did I," another said. "What was the good of rushing about
looking for your cuffs?"

"I didn't rush about!"

"Yes, you did!"

"Hush! I wonder what he wants with father?" said Mrs. Sparre. All were
silent, but they could not hear anything of the conversation which was
going on in the other room.

Mr. Johnsen had come to ask the dean to fulfil the promise he had made
to him some weeks previously, and to kindly give him permission to
preach in the church the next Sunday. The dean had not forgotten his
promise, and was only too glad to have an opportunity of fulfilling it.
He also begged to thank Mr. Johnsen for his goodness in offering to
assist him in his duties.

As far as that went, answered Mr. Johnsen, he would not conceal from him
that it was not so much consideration for the weight of his duties which
had impelled him to make the request. He must confess, that it was
rather that he wished to have an opportunity of addressing the
congregation on a persona