, though
longing for it in his heart; and Marie Forstberg, whom he had not taken
into his confidence in the matter, was highly indignant with his sisters
for supposing that it should depend upon the president, and not upon
Carl's own merit, whether he received it or not. Mina, however, had
declared, with a great air of knowledge of the world, that people
couldn't trust to merit alone, and that, besides (and here she had laid
her hand flatteringly on her friend's shoulder), they were not all so
strict and high-principled as Marie Forstberg; and so she paid her court
to the president accordingly.

In the evening, when the gentlemen were sitting together out in the
wood, and Elizabeth came out to them with a fresh supply of hot water
for their toddy, the said president thought proper to make a joke that
brought the colour to her cheeks. She made no reply, but the water-jug
trembled in her hands as she put it down, and as she did so she gave the
speaker such a look that for a moment he felt cowed.

"'Sdeath, Beck!" he broke out, "did you see the look she gave me?"

"She is a proud girl," said Carl, who was highly incensed, but who had
his reasons for restraining himself before his superior.

"A proud girl indeed!" returned the other, in a tone which implied very
clearly that in his opinion impudent hussy would have been the more
correct description.

"A good-looking girl, I mean," said Carl, evasively, by way of
correction, and laughed constrainedly.

Elizabeth had heard what he said. She was hurt, and for the first time
instituted a comparison between him and Salve. If Salve had been in his
place, he would not have got out of it in that way.

Later on in the evening Carl met her alone, as she was putting things to
rights out on the steps after the departed guests, and he said
half-anxiously--

"I hope you didn't mind what that blustering old brute said, Elizabeth.
He is a very good fellow really, and doesn't mean anything by his
nonsense."

Elizabeth was silent, and tried to avoid answering by going in with what
she had in her hands.

"Come, I won't stand your being offended, Elizabeth," he broke out
suddenly, firing up in a moment, and trying to catch her by the arm.
"That hand you work with is dearer to me than the hands of all the fine
ladies put together."

"Herr Beck!" she exclaimed wildly, and with tears in her eyes, "I leave
this house--this very night--if you say a word more."

She disappeared into