replied Fred. "I met sweet Raneilda last night at her
father's cottage, and begged of her to come here at a certain hour this
morning in the costume of a bride, in order that my friend the artist
might paint her. She hesitated and blushed a good deal at first, but at
length she agreed, and, as you see, is punctual in keeping her
appointment."

Fred now went down to Raneilda, and brought her up to the house; Sam
Sorrel at once placed her in a good position, seized his brushes, and
began the portrait.

He was delighted with the dress, for it glittered with gold and silver
ornaments. The crown was of pure silver covered with gold. The
breastplate was red cloth ornamented with silver-gilt brooches, beads of
various colours, silver chains, and small, round looking-glasses. There
was also a belt ornamented with gold and silver. Altogether Raneilda
looked much more like the Queen of Norway than a poor peasant girl!

It is necessary to inform the reader that the greater part of this
costume did not belong to the girl. In fact it did not belong to any
one in particular. It is the custom in Norway for each district to have
a marriage-dress for general use. The crown, the breastplate, and the
belt are public property, and may be hired out by the girls who are
about to be married at a few shillings for each occasion.

While Sam was busy with his portrait, Grant went out to search for
plants, and Fred went off to search for Hans and to carry out the
remainder of his plot. He soon found the young pilot.

"Hans," said he, "follow me, I wish to speak with you."

Hans was quite willing to follow Fred to the moon if he had chosen to
lead the way.

"I am going to show you a very pretty sight, Hans; step this way. Here,
in this room."

He threw open the door and led him in. The young Norseman entered with
a smile, but the smile suddenly vanished, his blue eyes opened to their
utmost width, and he stood rooted to the floor, unable to speak!

"Tuts! what means this?" cried Sam in disgust at being interrupted.

"Raneilda!" gasped her lover.

The bride covered her face with her hands.

"Very good! excellent!" exclaimed Grant who chanced to pass at the
moment, and peeped in at the open window.

"Hurrah!" cried Bob Bowie, who just then came up to announce that the
_Snowflake_ was ready for sea.

"She won't be wanted for some days yet," cried Fred bursting into a fit
of laughter as he seized Hans by the arm, dragged h