ss, and with a magnificent outward sweep of her arm
motioned him down the garden path.

"Out of my sight,--_coward_!" she cried, and then stood waiting for him
to obey her, her whole frame vibrating with indignation like a harp
struck too roughly. She looked so terribly beautiful, and there was such
a suggestive power in that extended bare white arm of hers, that the
minister, though quaking from head to heel with disappointment and
resentment, judged it prudent to leave her.

"Certainly, I will take my departure, Froeken!" he said meekly, while his
teeth glimmered wolfishly through his pale lips, in a snarl more than a
smile. "It is best you should be alone to recover yourself--from
this--this undue excitement! I shall not repeat my--my--offer; but I am
sure your good sense will--in time--show you how very unjust and hasty
you have been in this matter--and--and you will be sorry! Yes, indeed! I
am quite sure you will be sorry! I wish you good day, Froeken Thelma!"

She made him no reply, and he turned from the house and left her,
strolling down the flower-bordered path as though he were in the best of
all possible moods with himself and the universe. But, in truth, he
muttered a heavy oath under his breath--an oath that was by no means in
keeping with his godly and peaceful disposition. Once, as he walked, he
looked back,--and saw the woman he coveted now more than ever, standing
erect in the porch, tall, fair and loyal in her attitude, looking like
some proud empress who had just dismissed an unworthy vassal. A farmer's
daughter! and she had refused Mr. Dyceworthy with disdain! He had much
ado to prevent himself shaking his fist at her!

"The lofty shall be laid low, and the stiff-necked shall be humbled," he
thought, as with a vicious switch of his stick he struck off a fragrant
head of purple clover. "Conceited fool of a girl! Hopes to be 'my lady'
does she? She had better take care!"

Here he stopped abruptly in his walk as if a thought had struck him,--a
malignant joy sparkled in his eyes, and he flourished his stick
triumphantly in the air. "I'll have her yet!" he exclaimed half-aloud.
"I'll set Lovisa on her!" And his countenance cleared; he quickened his
pace like a man having some pressing business to fulfill, and was soon
in his boat, rowing towards Bosekop with unaccustomed speed and energy.

Meanwhile Thelma stood motionless where he had left her,--she watched
the retreating form of her portly suitor t