reet and hurrying to the
market-place, where they crowded round somebody; and the lanterns
being directed on the central spot, it was comparatively light.

Here, taller than all the rest, the Haugians recognized their own
Hans Nilsen Fennefos.

He was speaking to the people. The tempest drowned his words, but
they knew his power over the wills of men; and whilst they all, both
men and women, pressed to the windows, they thanked God for this
succour, and congratulated one another, as if their lives had hung on
a thread.

Sarah remained alone in the sick room. She was absorbed with the idea
that she would see Fennefos again. She was terrified; she almost
trembled, and thought she would be unable to bear it.

Worse gazed at her, but finding no consolation in her distracted
looks, he shut his eyes, and seemed as if dozing.

Fennefos, entering by the street door, was received in the unlighted
passage by many friendly hands and affectionate greetings.

The first thing he said was: "Why do you sit here in the dark; are
you afraid of the light?"

After the whispering which had hitherto prevailed, it sounded as if
he spoke in a loud voice.

Two women went for lights, and the blinds were drawn down.

"You have come just at the right moment, Hans Nilsen," said Sivert
Jespersen, clapping him on the shoulder.

"How pleasant are the feet of those who bring glad tidings!" said
Nicolai Egelend.

"I come rather with evil tidings," said Hans Nilsen, looking gravely
from one to the other; "although I see that there is grief enough
already in this house. We heard yesterday at Smorvig that your ship
_Ebenezer_ is cast away to the South of Bratvold. Not a man was
saved. I, therefore, came here that you might make provision for the
widows and the fatherless."

"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away, praised be His Name,"
said Nicolai Egeland.

Sivert Jespersen turned away, and went out into another room. He
seemed to be occupied with some calculation.

In the street the people had begun to disperse. Fennefos was known
and, in a measure, respected.

That one whom all knew to have departed as a missionary to India had
now suddenly reappeared, produced also a certain effect; there was,
moreover, something about the man which enthralled all his hearers.
He spoke a few impressive words as to how ill it became them to add
to the burden when the Lord's hand fell heavily on a brother's house.

The better sort of lanterns di