el-patience with me during my life, and tell her, that it is owing to
her conduct that I have at this moment my faith left in virtue and a
just Providence. I will now reward her in the only way which is possible
to me. Know then, my wife, that the boy, for whom thou hast loved and
deplored--_is not dead!_ Let it also lessen the abhorrence of my deed,
when I assure thee, that it was solicitude for your well-being which led
me in part to it. I was totally ruined--and could not endure the
thoughts of seeing thee destitute! For this reason I sent away the boy,
and gave it out that he was dead. He has suffered no want, he has----"

Here followed several illegible lines, after which might be read:

"I am confused, and cannot say that which I would. Speak with the former
Sergeant Roenn, now in the Customs at Bergen; he will----"

Here the letter broke off. It was without date, the paper old and
yellow. But Mrs. Astrid kissed it with tears of joy and gratitude,
whilst she whispered,

"Oh, what a recompense! What light! Wonderful, merciful, good
Providence!"

FOOTNOTES:

[14] About a farthing.

[15] The understrings of the so-called Hardanger-fiddle are four metal
strings, which lie under the sounding-board. They are tuned in unison
with the upper catgut strings, whereby, as well as by the peculiar form
of the violin itself, this gives forth a singular strong, almost
melancholy sound.

[16] The langoleik, or langleg, is a four-stringed instrument, probably
of the same form as the psaltry. The peasant girls in mountain-districts
play gladly upon it, and often with great dexterity. In the so-called
"Elskov's Song," from Vestfjordal it is said--

Ho som so gjilt kan po Langoleik spelo,
Svanaug den vena, ska no vaera mi!

AASGAARDSREIJA.

Wildly the misty troop the tempest rideth,
The ghosts of heroes seek the Northern fjorde;
There goes the iron-boat; the serpent glideth,
The ravens flutter round the lofty board.

Dark, silent shades the high mast are surrounding;
Lightnings are flashing from the weapons bright;
Rise up from ocean-cliff's thou horn resounding,
To-night ride forth the Daughters of the fight!

VELHAVEN.

Susanna went into her quiet room, but within her it was not quiet--a
hard fight was fought there. It was necessary now to abandon all her own
wishes and hopes, for Susanna found now that she almost unconsciously to
herself had cherished such as regarded her mistress and H