n Sandsgaard Bay and westward over the sea,
whose glassy surface heaved in long undulations.

He remembered the glorious view of the sea that in his youth could be
obtained from the roof of the pavilion; it was, however, no longer
visible, for it was with the garden as with the town, both growing
and overgrowing, so that neither the one nor the other resembled its
former self.

At the back of the pavilion there was a secret door in the panelling,
the key of which the Consul always carried in his pocket. Many a
light recollection of the gallantries of his youth rose up before
him, when at rare intervals he now opened this small back door, from
which a narrow spiral stair led to a chamber above, so narrow that it
was now difficult for him to ascend it; but in his younger days--good
Heavens!--how lightly he flew up and down it!

"_Le nez, c'est la memoire_," he said, as he inhaled the odour of old
mahogany, and paced up and down in the small remnant of the garden of
his youth, stepping daintily with his well-shaped legs and dreaming
of the period of low shoes and silk stockings.

In the road outside stood a wayfarer, gazing upon the fjord. It was
the well-known lay-preacher, Hans Nilsen Fennefos. Tall, gaunt, with
bright searching eyes, he stood absorbed in thought, and leant
against the post of the gate leading from the garden.

On his back he bore a large wallet, in which he carried his books and
tracts. He was dusty and weary, with a long day's tramp in the sun.

For three years he had not visited these parts, and much had happened
in the mean time. When, at a distance, he had learnt that Sarah had
married Skipper Worse, he felt as if he had received a stab, and he
suffered bodily pain, which almost overcame him. He immediately
realized that this woman had enthralled his affections, and that his
love to the Brethren, nay, to the Almighty Himself, was as nothing in
comparison.

He was terrified, and cast himself on the ground in an agony of
remorse and prayer. It seemed to him as if no punishment or penance
could atone for such deception and for so great a crime.

Bitter feelings towards others also took possession of him, and with
fiery zeal he began to preach repentance, rebuking sinners in
language far more severe than was customary.

For three years he had maintained this vehement crusade against sin,
both in himself and in others, and during this period he succeeded in
shaking off the sinful affection. It