And，indeed，shewassadlychanged！Herfeatureshadbecomesharper，andthefirmlinesabouthermouthexpressedseverity，almoststernness。Herclearblueeyesseemedtohavegrownlarger，andtheirglancebetrayedsecret，ever—watchfulcare。Onlyheryellowhairhadresistedtheforceoftimeandsorrow;foritstillfellinrichandwavyfoldsoverasmoothwhiteforehead。Shewas，indeed，halfashamedofit，andoftentookpainstoforceitintoasober，matronlyhood。Onlyatnights，whenshesatalonetalkingwithherboy，shewouldallowittoescapefromitsprison;andhewouldlaughandplaywithit，andinhischild’swayevenwonderatthecontrastbetweenhersternfaceandheryouthfulmaidenlytresses。
ThisThomas，herson，wasastrangechild。
HehadaNorseman’stasteforthefabulousandfantastic，andalthoughheneverheardataleofNeckenortheHulder，hewouldoftenstartlehismotherbythemostfancifulcombinationsofimaginedevents，andbybolderpersonificationsthaneversprungfromthelegendarysoiloftheNorseland。Shealwaystookcaretocheckhimwheneverheindulgedintheseimaginaryflights，andheatlastcametolookuponthemassomethingwrongandsinful。Theboy，ashegrewup，oftenstrikinglyremindedherofherfather，as，indeed，heseemedtohaveinheritedmorefromherownthanfromHalvard’srace。Onlythebrightflaxenhairandhissquare，somewhatclumsystaturemighthavetoldhimtobethelatter’schild。Hehadahottemper，andoftendistressedhismotherbyhisstubbornness;
andthentherewouldcomeagreatburstofrepentanceafterwards，whichdistressedherstillmore。Forshewasafraiditmightbeasignofweakness。"Andstronghemustbe，"
saidshetoherself，"strongenoughtoovercomeallresistance，andtoconqueragreatnameforhimself，strongenoughtoblessamotherwhobroughthimintotheworldnameless。"
Strangetosay，muchasshelovedthischild，sheseldomcaressedhim。Itwasapenanceshehadimposeduponherselftoatoneforherguilt。
Onlyattimes，whenshehadbeensittinguplate，andhereyeswouldfall，asitwere，byaccidentuponthelittlefaceonthepillow，withthesweetunconsciousnessofsleeprestinguponitlikeasoft，invisibleveil，wouldshesuddenlythrowherselfdownoverhim，kisshim，andwhispertendernamesinhisear，whilehertearsfellhotandfastonhisyellowhairandhisrosycountenance。Thenthechildwoulddreamthathewassailingaloftovershiningforests，andthathismother，beamingwithallthebeautyofherlostyouth，flewbeforehim，showeringgoldenflowersonhispath。ThesewerethehappiestmomentsofBrita’sjoylesslife，andeventhesewerenotunmixedwithbitterness;
forintothemidstofherjoywouldstealashyanxiousthoughtwhichwasthemoreterriblebecauseitcamesostealthily，sosoft—footedandunbidden。Hadnotthischildbeengivenherasapunishmentforherguilt？HadshethenarighttoturnGod’sscourgeintoablessing？
DidshegivetoGod"thatwhichbelongethuntoGod，"aslongasallherhopes，herthoughts，andherwholebeingrevolvedaboutthisoneearthlything，herson，thechildofhersorrow？
Shewasnotanaturetoshrinkfromgravequestions;
no，shemetthemboldly，whenoncetheywerethere，wrestledfiercelywiththem，wasdefeated，andagainwithamartyr’szealrosetorenewthecombat。GodhadHimselfsentherthisperplexingdoubtanditwasherdutytobearHisburden。ThusranBrita’sreasoning。
Inthemeanwhiletheyearsslippedby，andgreatchangeswerewroughtintheworldabouther。
ThefewhundreddollarswhichBritahadbeenabletosave，duringthefirstthreeyearsofherstayinChicago，shehadinvestedinapieceofland。Inthemeanwhilethecityhadgrown，andintheyear1859shewasofferedfivethousanddollarsforherlot;thisoffersheacceptedandagainboughtasmallpieceofpropertyatashortdistancefromthecity。Theboyhadsincehiseighthyearattendedthepublicschool，andhadmadeastonishingprogress。Everydaywhenschoolwasout，shewouldmeethimatthegate，takehimbythehandandleadhimhome。
Ifanyoftheotherboysdaredtomakesportofher，ortoteasehimforhisdependenceuponher，itwassuretocostthatboyablackeye{。}
Hesoonsucceededinestablishinghimselfintherespectofhisschool—mates，forhewasthestrongestboyofhisownage，andeverreadytoprotectanddefendtheweakanddefenseless。
WhenThomasBright（forthatwasthenamebywhichhewasknown）wasfifteenyearsoldhewasofferedapositionasclerkintheofficeofalumber—merchant，andwithhismother’sconsentheacceptedit。Hewasafineyoungladnow，largeandwell—knit，andwithaclearearnestcountenance。Intheeveninghewouldbringhomebookstoread，andasithadalwaysbeenBrita’shabittointerestherselfinwhateverinterestedhim，shesoonfoundherselfstudyinganddiscussingwithhimthingswhichhadinformeryearsbeenfarbeyondthehorizonofhermind。Shehadathisrequestreluctantlygivenupherworkinthelumber—yards，andnowspentherdaysathome，busyingherselfwithsewingandreadingandsuchotherthingsaswomenfindtofillupavacanthour。
Oneevening，whenThomaswasinhisnineteenthyear，hereturnedfromhisofficewithagraverfacethanusual。Hismother’squickeyeimmediatelysawthatsomethinghadagitatedhim，butsheforboretoask。
"Mother，"saidheatlast，"whoismyfather？
Ishedeadoralive？"
"Godisyourfather，myson，"answeredshe，tremblingly。"Ifyouloveme，askmenomore。"
"Idoloveyou，mother，"hesaid，andgaveheragravelook，inwhichshethoughtshedetectedaminglingoftendernessandreproach。
"Anditshallbeasyouhavesaid。"
Itwasthefirsttimeshehadhadreasontoblushbeforehim，andheremotioncamenearoverwhelmingher;butwithaviolenteffortshestifledit，andremainedoutwardlycalm。
Hebeganpacingupanddownthefloorwithhisheadbentandhishandsonhisback。Itsuddenlyoccurredtoherthathewasagrownman，andthatshecouldnolongerholdthesamerelationtohimashissupporterandprotector。"Alas，"thoughtshe，"ifGodwillbutletmeremainhismother，IshallblessandthankHim。"
Itwasthefirsttimethissubjecthadbeenbroached，anditgaverisetomanyadoubtandmanyaquestionintheanxiousmother’smind。
Hadshebeenrightinconcealingfromhimthatwhichhemightjustlyclaimtoknow？Whathadbeenhermotiveinkeepinghimignorantofhisoriginandofthelandofhisbirth？Shehadwishedhimtogrowtothestrengthofman—
hood，unconsciousofguilt，sothathemightbearhisheadupright，andlooktheworldfearlesslyintheface。Andstill，hadtherenotinallthisbeenalurkingthoughtofherself，afearoflosinghislove，adesiretostandpureandperfectinhiseye？Shehardlydaredtoanswerthesequestions，for，alas，sheknewnotthatevenourpurestmotivesarebutpoorlyabletobearasearchingscrutiny。Shebegantosuspectthatherwholecoursewithhersonhadbeenwrongfromtheverybeginning。Whyhadshenottoldhimthesterntruth，evenifheshoulddespiseherforit，evenifsheshouldhavetostandablushingculpritinhispresence？Often，whensheheardhisfootstepsinthehall，ashereturnedfromtheworkoftheday，shewouldmanherselfupandthewordshovereduponherlips：
"Son，thouartabastardborn，achildofguilt，andthymotherisanoutcastupontheearth。"
Butwhenshemetthosecalmblueeyesofhis，sawtheunsuspectingfranknessofhismannerandthehopefulnesswithwhichhelookedtothefuture，herwomanlyheartshrankfromitsduty，andshehastenedoutoftheroom，threwherselfonherbed，andwept。FiercelyshewrestledwithGodinprayer，untilshethoughtthatevenGodhaddesertedher。Thusmonthspassedandyears，andtheconstantcareandanxietybegantoaffectherhealth。Shegrewpaleandnervous，andtheslightestnoisewouldannoyher。Inthemeanwhile，hermannertowardtheyoungmanhadbecomestrangelyaltered，andhesoonnoticedit，althoughheforboretospeak。Shewasscrupulouslymindfulofhiscomfort，anxiouslyanticipatedhiswants，andobservedtowardhimanevervigilantconsideration，asifhehadbeenhermasterinsteadofherson。
WhenThomaswastwenty—twoyearsofage，hewasofferedapartnershipinhisemployer’sbusiness，andwitheveryyearhisprospectsbrightened。Thesaleofhismother’spropertybroughthimaveryhandsomelittlefortune，whichenabledhimtobuildafineandcomfortablehouseinoneofthebestportionsofthecity。Thustheiroutwardcircumstancesweregreatlyimproved，andofcomfortandluxuryBritahadallandmorethanshehadeverdesired;butherhealthwasbrokendown，andthephysiciansdeclaredthatayearofforeigntravelandacontinuedresidenceinItalymightpossiblyrestoreher。Atlast，Thomas，too，begantourgeher，untilshefinallyyielded。ItwasonabrightmorninginMaythattheybothstartedforNewYork，andthreedayslatertheytooktheboatforEurope。Whatcountriestheyweretovisittheyhadhardlydecided，butafterabriefstayinEnglandwefindthemagainonasteamerboundforNorway。
IV。
Warmandgentleasitis，Juneoftencomestothefjord—valleysofNorwaywiththevoiceandthestrengthofagiant。Theglacierstotterandgroan，asifinangerattheirownweakness，andsendhugeavalanchesofstonesandicedownintothevalleys。Theriversswellandrushwithvociferousbrawloutoverthemountain—
sides，andathousandtinybrooksjoininthegeneralclamor，anddancewithnoisychatteroverthemoss—grownbirch—roots。Butlater，whenthestruggleisatanend，andJunehasvictoriouslyseatedherselfuponherthrone，hervoicebecomesmorerichlysubduedandbringsrestandcomforttotheearandtothetroubledheart。ItwaswhilethemonthwasinthislattermoodthatBritaandhersonenteredoncemorethevalleywhence，twenty—fiveyearsago，theyhadfled。Manystrange，turbulentemotionsstirredthemother’sbosom，asshesawagainthegreatsnow—cappedmountains，andthecalm，greenvalley，herchildhood’shome，lyingsosnuglyshelteredintheirmightyembrace。
EvenThomas’sbreastwasmovedwithvaguelysympatheticthrobs，asthiswondrousscenespreaditselfbeforehim。Theysoonsucceededinhiringafarm—house，abouthalfanhour’swalkfromBlakstad，and，accordingtoBrita’swish，establishedthemselvesthereforthesummer。
Shehadknownthepeoplewell，whenshewasyoung，buttheyneverthoughtofidentifyingherwiththemerrymaid，whohadoncestartledtheparishbyhersuddenflight;andshe，althoughshelongedtoopenherhearttothem，letnowordfalltobetrayherrealcharacter。Herconscienceaccusedherofplayingafalsepart，butforherson’ssakeshekeptsilent。
Then，oneday，——itwasthesecondSundayaftertheirarrival，——sheroseearlyinthemorning，andaskedThomastoaccompanyheronawalkupthroughthevalley。TherewasSabbathintheair;thesoftbreathofsummer，ladenwiththeperfumeoffreshleavesandfield—flowers，gentlywaftedintotheirfaces。Thesunglitteredinthedewygrass，thecricketssungwitharemotevoiceofwonder，andtheairseemedtobehalfvisible，andmovedintrem—
blingwaveletsonthepathbeforethem。Restingonherson’sarm，Britawalkedslowlyupthroughthefloweringmeadows;shehardlyknewwhitherherfeetboreher，butherheartbeatviolently，andsheoftenwasobligedtopauseandpressherhandsagainstherbosom，asiftostaytheturbulentemotions。
"Youarenotwell，mother，"saidtheson。
"Itwasimprudentinmetoallowyoutoexertyourselfinthisway。"
"Letussitdownonthisstone，"answeredshe。"Ishallsoonbebetter。Donotlooksoanxiouslyatme。Indeed，Iamnotsick。"
Hespreadhislightsummercoatonthestoneandcarefullyseatedher。Sheliftedherveilandraisedhereyestothelargered—roofedmansion，whosedarkoutlinesdrewthemselvesdimlyontheduskybackgroundofthepineforest。
Washestillalive，hewhoselife—hopeshehadwrecked，hewhohadoncedrivenheroutintothenightwithallbutacurseuponhislips？
Howwouldhereceiveher，ifsheweretoreturn？Ah，sheknewhim，andshetrembledattheverythoughtofmeetinghim。Butwasnottheguilthers？Couldshedepartfromthisvalley，couldshedieinpeace，withouthavingthrownherselfathisfeetandimploredhisfor—
giveness？Andthere，ontheoppositesideofthevalley，laythehomeofhimwhohadbeenthecauseofallhermisery。Whathadbeenhisfate，anddidhestillrememberthoselonghappysummerdays，ah！solong，longago？
Shehaddaredtoasknoquestionsofthepeoplewithwhomshelived，butnowasuddenweaknesshadovertakenher，andshefeltthatto—daymustdecideherfate;shecouldnolongerbearthistortureofuncertainty。Thomasremainedstandingathersideandlookedatherwithanxietyandwonder。Heknewthatshehadconcealedmanythingsfromhim，butwhateverherreasonsmightbe，hewasconfidentthattheywerejustandweighty。Itwasnotforhimtoquestionheraboutwhathemighthavenorighttoknow。Hefeltasifhehadneverlovedherasinthismoment，whensheseemedtobemostinneedofhim，andanoverwhelmingtendernesstookpossessionofhisheart。
Hesuddenlystoopeddown，tookherpale，thinfacebetweenhishandsandkissedher。Thelongpent—upemotionburstforthinafloodoftears;sheburiedherfaceinherlapandweptlongandsilently。Thenthechurch—bellsbegantopealdowninthevalley，andtheslowmightysoundfloatedcalmlyandsolemnlyuptothem。
Howmanylong—forgottenmemoriesofchildhoodandyouthdidtheynotwakeinherbosom——memoriesofthetimewhenthemerryGlitter—
Brita，deckedwithhershiningbrooches，wendedherwaytothechurchamongthegayly—dressedladsandmaidensoftheparish？
Aclusterofwhite—stemmedbirchesthrewitsshadowoverthestonewherethepenitentmotherwassitting，andthetallgrassonbothsidesofthepathnearlyhidherfromsight。
Presentlythechurch—folkbegantoappear，andBritaraisedherheadanddrewherveildownoverherface。Noonepassedwithoutgreetingthestrangers，andthewomenandmaidens，accordingtooldfashion，stoppedandcourtesied。Atlast，therecameanoldwhite—hairedman，leaningonthearmofamiddle—agedwoman。Hiswholefigurewasbentforward，andheoftenstoppedanddrewhisbreathheavily。
"Oh，yes，yes，"hesaid，illahoarse，brokenvoice，ashepassedbeforethem，"ageisgainingonmefast。Ican’tmoveaboutanymoreasofold。ButtochurchImustthisday。Godhelpme！Ihavedonemuchwrongandneedtoprayforforgiveness。"
"Youhadbettersitdownandrest，father，"
saidthewoman。"Hereisastone，andthefinelady，Iamsure，willallowaweakoldmantositdownbesideher。"
Thomasroseandmadeasigntotheoldmantotakehisseat。
"Oyes，yes，"hewentonmurmuring，asiftalkingtohimself。"Muchwrong——muchforgiveness。Godhelpusall——miserablesinners。
Hewhohatethnotfatherandmother——anddaughterisnotworthyofme。O，yes——yes——
Godcomfortusall。Helpmeup，Grimhild。I
thinkIcanmoveonagain，now。"
Thomas，ofcourse，didnotunderstandawordofwhathesaid，butseeingthathewishedtorise，hewillinglyofferedhisassistance，supportedhisarmandraisedhim。
"Thankstoyou，youngman，"saidthepeasant。
"AndmayGodrewardyourkindness。"
Andthetwo，fatheranddaughter，movedon，slowlyandlaboriously，astheyhadcome。
Thomasstoodfollowingthemwithhiseyes，untilalow，half—stifledmoansuddenlycalledhimtohismother’sside。Herframetrembledviolently。
"Mother，mother，"imploredhe，stoopingoverher，"whathashappened？Whyareyounomoreyourself？"
"Ah，myson，Icanbearitnolonger，"sobbedshe。"Godforgiveme——thoumustknowitall。"
Hesatdownathersideanddrewhercloselyuptohimandshehidherfaceonhisbosom。
Therewasalongsilence，onlybrokenbytheloudchirrupingofthecrickets。
"Myson，"shebeganatlast，stillhidingherface，"thouartachildofguilt。"
"Thathasbeennosecrettome，mother，"
answeredhe，gravelyandtenderly，"sinceIwasoldenoughtoknowwhatguiltwas。"
Shequicklyraisedherhead，andalookofamazement，ofjoyoussurprise，shonethroughthetearsthatveiledhereyes。Shecouldreadnothingbutfilialloveandconfidenceinthosegrave，manlyfeatures，andshesawinthatmomentthatallherdoubtshadbeengroundless，thatherlongprayerfulstrugglehadbeenfornaught。
"Ibroughttheeintotheworldnameless，"shewhispered，"andthouhastnowordofreproachforme？"
"WithGod’shelp，Iamstrongenoughtoconqueranameformyself，mother，"washisanswer。
Itwastheverywordsofherownsecretwish，anduponhislipstheysoundedlikeablessedassurance，likeamiraculousfulfillmentofhermotherlyprayer。
"Still，anotherthing，mychild，"shewentoninamoreconfidentvoice。"Thisisthynativeland，——andtheoldmanwhowasjustsittinghereatmysidewas——myfather。"
Andthere，intheshadowofthebirch—trees，inthesummerstillnessofthathour，shetoldhimthestoryofherlove，ofherflight，andofthemiseryoftheselong，toilsomefiveandtwentyyears。
Lateintheafternoon，Britaandhersonwereseenreturningtothefarm—house。Acalm，subduedhappinessbeamedfromthemother’scountenance;
shewasagainatpeacewiththeworldandherself，andherheartwasaslightasinthedaysofherearlyyouth。Butherbodilystrengthhadgivenout，andherlimbsalmostrefusedtosupporther。Thestrainuponhernervesandtheconstantefforthadhithertoenabledhertokeepup，butnow，whenthatstrainwasremoved，exhaustednatureclaimeditsright。Thenextday——shecouldnotleaveherbed，andwitheveryhourherstrengthfailed。Aphysicianwassentfor。Hegavemedicine，butnohope。Heshookhisheadgravely，ashewent，andbothmotherandsonknewwhatthatmeant。
Towardevening，BjarneBlakstadwassummoned，andcameatonce。Thomaslefttheroom，astheoldmanentered，andwhatpassedinthathourbetweenfatheranddaughter，onlyGodknows。Whenthedoorwasagainopened，Brita’seyesshonewithastrangebrilliancy，andBjarnelayonhiskneesbeforethebed，pressingherhandconvulsivelybetweenbothofhis。
"Thisismyson，father，"saidshe，inalanguagewhichhersondidnotunderstand;andafaintsmileofmotherlyprideandhappinessflittedoverherpalefeatures。"Iwouldgivehimtotheeinreturnforwhatthouhastlost;
butGodhaslaidhisfutureinanotherland。"
Bjarnerose，graspedhisgrandson’shand，andpressedit;andtwoheavytearsrandownhisfurrowedcheeks。"Alas，"murmuredhe，"myson，thatweshouldmeetthus。"
Theretheystood，boundtogetherbythebondsofblood，but，alas，therelayaworldbetweenthem。
Allnighttheysattogetheratthedyingwoman’sbedside。Notawordwasspoken。
Towardmorning，asthesunstoleintothedarkenedchamber，Britamurmuredtheirnames，andtheylaidtheirhandsinhers。
"Godbepraised，"whisperedshe，scarcelyaudibly，"Ihavefoundyouboth——myfatherandmyson。"Adeeppallorspreadoverhercountenance。Shewasdead。
Twodayslater，whenthebodywaslaidout，Thomasstoodaloneintheroom。Thewindowswerecoveredwithwhitesheets，andasubduedlightfelluponthepale，lifelesscountenance。
Deathhaddealtgentlywithher，sheseemedyoungerthanbefore，andherlightwavyhairfellsoftlyoverthewhiteforehead。Thentherecameamiddle—agedman，withadulleye，andabroadforehead，andtimidlyapproachedthelonelymourner。Hewalkedontip—toeandhisfigurestoopedheavily。Foralongwhilehestoodgazingatthedeadbody，thenhekneltdownatthefootofthecoffin，andbegantosobviolently。Atlasthearose，tooktwostepstowardtheyoungman，pausedagain，anddepartedsilentlyashehadcome。ItwasHalvard。
Closeunderthewallofthelittlered—paintedchurch，theydugthegrave;andaweeklaterherfatherwaslaidtorestathisdaughter’sside。
ButthefreshwindsblewovertheAtlanticandbeckonedthesontonewfieldsoflaborinthegreatlandofthefuture。
AGOOD—FOR—NOTHING。
RALPHGRIMwasbornagentleman。
Hehadthemisfortuneofcomingintotheworldsometenyearslaterthanmightreasonablyhavebeenexpected。
ColonelGrimandhisladyhadcelebratedtwelveanniversariesoftheirwedding—day，andhadgivenupallhopesofeverhavingasonandheir，whenthislate—comerstartledthembyhisunexpectedappearance。Theonlypreviousadditiontothefamilyhadbeenadaughter，andshewasthentensummersold。
Ralphwasaveryfeeblechild，andcouldonlywithgreatdifficultybepersuadedtoretainhisholdoftheslenderthreadwhichboundhimtoexistence。Hewasrubbedwithwhisky，andwrappedincotton，andgivenmare’smilktodrink，andGodknowswhatnot，andtheColonelsworearoundoathofpaternaldelightwhenatlasttheinfantstoppedgaspinginthatdistressingwayandbegantobreathelikeotherhumanbeings。Themother，who，inspiteofheranxietyforthechild’slife，hadfoundtimetoplotforhimacareeroffuturemagnificence，nowsuddenlysethimapartforliterature，becausethatwastheeasiestroadtofame，anddisposedofhiminmarriagetooneofthemostdistinguishedfamiliesoftheland。Shecautiouslysuggestedthistoherhusbandwhenhecametotakehisseatatherbedside;buttoherutterastonishmentshefoundthathehadbeenindulgingasimilartrainofthought，andhadalreadydestinedtheinfantprodigyforthearmy。She，however，couldnotgiveupherpredilectionforliterature，andtheColonel，whocouldnotbeartobecontradictedinhisownhouse，asheusedtosay，wasgettingeveryminutelouderandmoreflushed，when，happily，thedoctor’sarrivalinterruptedthedispute。
AsRalphgrewupfrominfancytochildhood，hebegantogivedecidedpromiseoffuturedistinction。Hewasfondofsittingdowninacornerandsuckinghisthumb，whichhismotherinterpretedasthesignofthatbroodingdispositionpeculiartopoetsandmenofloftygenius。
Attheageoffive，hehadbecomesolemasterinthehouse。HeslappedhissisterHildaintheface，orpulledherhair，whenshehesitatedtoobeyhim，tyrannizedoverhisnurse，andsternlyrefusedtogotobedinspiteofhismother’sentreaties。Onsuchoccasions，theColonelwouldhidehisfacebehindhisnewspaper，andchucklewithdelight;itwasevidentthatnaturehadintendedhissonforagreatmilitarycommander。AssoonasRalphhimselfwasoldenoughtohaveanythoughtsabouthisfuturedestiny，hemadeuphismindthathewouldliketobeapirate。Afewmonthslater，havingcontractedanimmoderatetasteforcandy，hecontentedhimselfwiththecomparativelyhumblepositionofabaker;butwhenhehadread"RobinsonCrusoe，"hemanifestedastrongdesiretogotoseainthehopeofbeingwreckedonsomedesolateisland。Theparentsspentlongeveningsgravelydiscussingtheseindicationsofuncommongenius，andeachinterpretedtheminhisorherownway。
"HeisnotlikeanyotherchildIeverknew，"
saidthemother。
"Tobesure，"respondedthefather，earnestly。
"Heisamostextraordinarychild。Iwasaveryremarkablechildtoo，evenifIdosayitmyself;but，asfarasIremember，Ineveraspiredtobeingwreckedonanuninhabitedisland。"
TheColonelprobablyspokethetruth;butheforgottotakeintoaccountthathehadneverread"RobinsonCrusoe。"
OfRalph’sschool—daysthereisbutlittletoreport，for，totellthetruth，hedidnotfancygoingtoschool，asthedisciplineannoyedhim。
Thedayafterhishavingenteredthegymnasium，whichwastopreparehimfortheMilitaryAcademy，theprincipalsawhimwaitingatthegateafterhisclasshadbeendismissed。Heapproachedhim，andaskedwhyhedidnotgohomewiththerest。
"Iamwaitingfortheservanttocarrymybooks，"wastheboy’sanswer。
"Givemeyourbooks，"saidtheteacher。
Ralphreluctantlyobeyed。ThatdaytheColonelwasnotalittlesurprisedtoseehissonmarchingupthestreet，andeverynowandthenglancingbehindhimwithalookofdiscomfortattheprincipal，whowasfollowingquietlyinhistrain，carryingaparcelofschool—books。
ColonelGrimandhiswife，diviningtheteacher’sintention，agreedthatitwasagreatoutrage，buttheydidnotmentionthemattertoRalph。
Henceforth，however，theboyrefusedtobeaccompaniedbyhisservant。Aweeklaterhewasimpudenttotheteacherofgymnastics，whowhippedhiminreturn。TheColonel’srageknewnobounds;herodeingreathastetothegymnasium，reviledtheteacherforpresumingtochastiseHISson，andcommittedtheboytothecareofaprivatetutor。
Attheageofsixteen，RalphwenttothecapitalwiththeintentionofenteringtheMilitaryAcademy。Hewasatall，handsomeyouth，slenderofstature，andcarriedhimselfaserectasacandle。Hehadalight，clearcomplexionofalmostfemininedelicacy;blonde，curlyhair，whichhealwayskeptcarefullybrushed;alowforehead，andastraight，finelymodelednose。
Therewasanexpressionofextremesensitivenessaboutthenostrils，andalookofindolenceinthedark—blueeyes。Buttheensembleofhisfeatureswaspleasing，hisdressirreproachable，andhismannersborenotraceoftheawkwardself—consciousnesspeculiartohisage。Immediatelyonhisarrivalinthecapitalhehiredasuiteofroomsinthearistocraticpartofthecity，andfurnishedthemratherexpensively，butinexcellenttaste。Fromabosomfriend，whomhemetbyaccidentintherestaurant’spavilioninthepark，helearnedthatapairofantlers，astuffedeagle，orfalcon，andacoupleofswords，wereindispensabletoawell—appointedapartment。Heaccordinglyboughtthesearticlesatacuriosity—shop。Duringthefirstweeksofhisresidenceinthecityhemadesomefeebleeffortstoperfecthimselfinmathematics，inwhichhesuspectedhewassomewhatdeficient。
Butwhenthesameofficiousfriendlaughedathim，andcalledhim"green，"hedeterminedtotrusttofortune，andhenceforthdevotedhimselfthemoreassiduouslytotheFrenchballet，wherehehadalreadymadesomeinterestingacquaintances。
Thetimefortheexaminationcame;theFrenchballetdidnotproveagoodpreparation;
Ralphfailed。Itquiteshookhimforthetime，andhefelthumiliated。Hehadnotthecouragetotellhisfather;sohelingeredonfromdaytoday，satvacantlygazingoutofhiswindow，andtriedvainlytointeresthimselfinthebusybustledownonthestreet。Itprovokedhimthateverybodyelseshouldbesolight—
hearted，whenhewas，oratleastfanciedhimself，introuble。Theparlorgrewintolerable;
hesoughtrefugeinhisbedroom。Therehesatoneevening（itwasthethirddayaftertheexamination），andstaredoutuponthegraystonewallswhichonallsidesenclosedthenarrowcourt—yard。TheroundstupidfaceofthemoonstoodtranquillydozinglikeagreatLimburgercheesesuspendedunderthesky。
Ralph，atleast，couldthinkofanomorefittingsimile。Butthebright—eyedyounggirlinthewindowhardbysentalonginglookuptothesamemoon，andthoughtofherdistanthomeonthefjords，wheretheglaciersstoodlikehoarygiants，andcaughttheyellowmoonbeamsontheirglitteringshieldsofsnow。Shehadbeenreading"Ivanhoe"alltheafternoon，untilthetwilighthadovertakenherquiteunaware，andnowshesuddenlyrememberedthatshehadforgottentowriteherGermanexercise。
Sheliftedherfaceandsawapairofsad，vacanteyes，gazingatherfromthenextwindowintheangleofthecourt。Shewasalittlestartledatfirst，butinthenextmomentshethoughtofherGermanexerciseandtookheart。
"DoyouknowGerman？"shesaid;thenimmediatelyrepentedthatshehadsaidit。
"Ido，"wastheanswer。
Shetookupherapronandbegantotwistitwithanairofembarrassment。
"Ididn’tmeananything，"shewhispered，atlast。
"Ionlywantedtoknow。"
"Youareverykind。"
Thatanswerrousedher;hewasevidentlymakingsportofher。
"Well，then，ifyoudo，youmaywritemyexerciseforme。Ihavemarkedtheplaceinthebook。"
Andsheflungherbookovertohiswindow，andhecaughtitontheedgeofthesill，justasitwasfalling。
"Youareaverystrangegirl，"heremarked，turningovertheleavesofthebook，althoughitwastoodarktoread。"Howoldareyou？"
"IshallbefourteensixweeksbeforeChristmas，"answeredshe，frankly。
"ThenIexcuseyou。"
"No，indeed，"criedshe，vehemently。"Youneedn’texcusemeatall。Ifyoudon’twanttowritemyexercise，youmaysendthebookbackagain。IamverysorryIspoketoyou，andI
shallneverdoitagain。"
"Butyouwillnotgetthebookbackagainwithouttheexercise，"repliedhe，quietly。
"Good—night。"
Thegirlstoodlonglookingafterhim，hopingthathewouldreturn。Then，withagreatburstofrepentance，shehidherfaceinherlap，andbegantocry。
"Oh，dear，Ididn’tmeantoberude，"shesobbed。"ButitwasIvanhoeandRebeccawhoupsetme。"
Thenextmorningshewasupbeforedaylight，andwaitedfortwolonghoursingreatsuspensebeforethecurtainofhiswindowwasraised。Hegreetedherpolitely;threwahastyglancearoundthecourttoseeifhewasobserved，andthentossedherbookdexterouslyoverintoherhands。
"Ihavepinnedthewrittenexercisetothefly—
leaf，"hesaid。"Youwillprobablyhavetimetocopyitbeforebreakfast。"
"Iameversomuchobligedtoyou，"shemanagedtostammer。
Helookedsotallandhandsome，andgrown—
up，andherremorsestuckinherthroat，andthreatenedtochokeher。Shehadtakenhimforaboyashesatthereinhiswindowtheeveningbefore。
"Bytheway，whatisyourname？"heasked，carelessly，asheturnedtogo。
"Bertha。"
"Well，mydearBertha，Iamhappytohavemadeyouracquaintance。"
Andheagainmadeherapolitebow，andenteredhisparlor。
"Howprovokinglyfamiliarheis，"thoughtshe;"butnoonecandenythatheishandsome。"
ThebrightroguishfaceoftheyounggirlhauntedRalphduringthewholenextweek。
Hehadbeeninloveatleasttentimesbefore，ofcourse;but，likemostboys，withyoungladiesfarolderthanhimself。Hefoundhimselffrequentlyglancingovertoherwindowinthehopeofcatchinganotherglimpseofherface;
butthecurtainwasalwaysdrawndown，andBertharemainedinvisible。Duringthesecondweek，however，sherelented，andtheyhadmanyapleasantchattogether。Henowvolunteeredtowriteallherexercises，andshemadenoobjections。Helearnedthatshewasthedaughterofawell—to—dopeasantinthesea—districtsofNorway（anditgavehimquiteashocktohearit），andthatshewasgoingtoschoolinthecity，andboardedwithanoldladywhokeptapensioninthehouseadjoiningtheoneinwhichhelived。
OnedayintheautumnRalphwassurprisedbythesuddenarrivalofhisfather，andthefactofhisfailureintheexaminationcouldnolongerbekeptasecret。TheoldColonelflaredupatoncewhenRalphmadehisconfession;thelargeveinsuponhisforeheadswelled;hegrewcoppery—
redinhisface，andstormedupanddownthefloor，untilhissonbecameseriouslyalarmed;
but，tohisgreatrelief，hewassoonmadeawarethathisfather’swrathwasnotturnedagainsthimpersonally，butagainsttheofficialsoftheMilitaryAcademywhohadrejectedhim。TheColoneltookitasaninsulttohisowngoodnameandirreproachablestandingasanofficer;
hepromptlyrefusedanyotherexplanation，andvainlyrackedhisbraintorememberifanyyouthfulfollyofhiscouldpossiblyhavemadehimenemiesamongtheteachersoftheAcademy。
Heatlastfeltsatisfiedthatitwasenvyofhisowngreatnessandrapidadvancementwhichhadinducedtherascalstotakevengeanceonhisson。Ralphreluctantlyfollowedhisfatherbacktothecountrytownwherethelatterwasstationed，andthefair—hairedBerthavanishedfromhishorizon。Hismother’swishnowprevailed，andhebegan，inhisowneasyway，topreparehimselffortheUniversity。HehadlittletasteforCicero，andstilllessforVirgil，butwiththeuseofa"pony"hesoongainedsufficientknowledgeoftheseauthorstobeabletotalkinasortofpatronizingwayaboutthem，tothegreatdelightofhisfondparents。Hetookquiteafancy，however，totheodeinHoraceendingwiththelines：
Dulceridentem，Dulceloquentem，Lalagenamabo。
AndinhisthoughthesubstitutedforLalagethefair—hairedBertha，quiteregardlessoftherequirementsofthemetre。
Tomakealongstoryshort，threeyearslaterRalphreturnedtothecapital，and，afterhavingwornoutseveraltutors，actuallysucceededinenteringtheUniversity。
Thefirstyearofcollegelifeisahappytimetoeveryyoungman，andRalphenjoyeditsprocessions，itsparliamentarygatherings，anditsleisure，aswellastherest。Hewascertainlynotthemantobesentimentaloverthelossofayounggirlwhom，moreover，hehadonlyknownforafewweeks。Nevertheless，hethoughtofheratoddtimes，butnotenoughtodisturbhispleasure。Thestandingofhisfamily，hisownhandsomeappearance，andhisimmaculatelinenopenedtohimthebesthousesofthecity，andhebecameagreatfavoriteinsociety。Atlectureshewasseldomseen，butmorefrequentlyinthetheatres，whereheusedtocomeinduringthemiddleofthefirstact，takehisstationinfrontoftheorchestrabox，andeye，throughhislorgnettes，byturns，theactressesandtheladiesoftheparquet。
II。
Twomonthspassed，andthencamethegreatannualballwhichthestudentsgiveattheopeningofthesecondsemester。Ralphwasamanofimportancethatevening;first，becausehebelongedtoagreatfamily;secondly，becausehewasthehandsomestmanofhisyear。Heworealargegoldenstaronhisbreast（forhisfellow—
studentshadmadehimaKnightoftheGoldenBoar），andabadgeofcoloredribbonsinhisbutton—hole。
Theballwasabrilliantaffair，andeverybodywasinexcellentspirits，especiallytheladies。
Ralphdancedincessantly，twirledhissoftmustache，andutteredamiableplatitudes。Itwastowardmidnight，justasthecompanywasmovingouttosupper，thathecaughttheglanceofapairofdark—blueeyes，whichsuddenlydrovethebloodtohischeeksandhastenedthebeatingofhisheart。Butwhenhelookedoncemorethedark—blueeyesweregone，andhisunrulyheartwentonhammeringagainsthisside。
Helaidhishandonhisbreastandglancedfurtivelyathisfairneighbor，butshelookedhappyandunconcerned，fortheflavoroftheice—creamwasdelicious。Itseemedanendlessmeal，but，whenitwasdone，Ralphrose，ledhispartnerbacktotheball—room，andhastilyexcusedhimself。Hisglancewanderedroundthewidehall，seekingthewell—rememberedeyesoncemore，and，atlength，findingtheminaremotecorner，halfhidbehindamovingwallofpromenaders。
InanothermomenthewasatBertha’sside。
"Youmusthavebeenpurposelyhidingyourself，MissBertha，"saidhe，whentheusualgreetingswereexchanged。"Ihavenotcaughtaglimpseofyouallthisevening，untilafewmomentsago。"
"ButIhaveseenyouallthewhile，"answeredthegirl，frankly。"IknewyouatonceasI
enteredthehall。"
"IfIhadbutknownthatyouwerehere，"
resumedRalph，asitwere，invisiblyexpandingwithanagreeablesenseofdignity，"Iassureyou，youwouldhavebeentheveryfirstoneI
shouldhavesought。"
Sheraisedherlargegraveeyestohis，asifquestioninghissincerity;butshemadenoanswer。
"Goodgracious！"thoughtRalph。"Shetakesthingsterriblyinearnest。"
"Youlooksoserious，MissBertha，"saidhe，afteramoment’spause。"Irememberyouasabright—eyed，flaxen—hairedlittlegirl，whothrewherGermanexercise—booktomeacrosstheyard，andwhosemerrylaughterstillringspleasantlyinmymemory。IconfessIdon’tfinditquiteeasytoidentifythisgraveyoungladywithmymerryfriendofthreeyearsago。"
"Inotherwords，youaredisappointedatnotfindingmethesameasIusedtobe。"
"No，notexactlythat;but——"
Ralphpausedandlookedpuzzled。Therewassomethingintheearnestnessofhermannerwhichmadeafacetiouscomplimentseemgrosslyinappropriate，andinthemomentnootherescapesuggesteditself。
"Butwhat？"demandedBertha，mercilessly。
"Haveyoueverlostanoldfriend？"
askedhe，abruptly。
"Yes;howso？"
"Then，"answeredhe，whilehisfeatureslightedupwithahappyinspiration——"thenyouwillappreciatemysituation。Ifondlycherishedmyoldpictureofyouinmymemory。NowI
havelostit，andIcannothelpregrettingtheloss。Idonotmean，however，toimplythatthisnewacquaintance——thissecondeditionofyourself，sotospeak——willprovelessinteresting。"
Sheagainsenthimagrave，questioninglook，andbegantogazeintentlyuponthestoneinherbracelet。
"Isupposeyouwilllaughatme，"beganshe，whileasuddenblushflittedoverhercountenance。
"Butthisismyfirstball，andIfeelasifIhadrushedintoawhirlpool，fromwhichI
have，sincethefirstrashplungewasmade，beenvainlytryingtoescape。Ifeelsodreadfullyforlorn。Ihardlyknowanybodyhereexceptmycousin，whoinvitedme，andIhardlythinkIknowhimeither。"
"Well，sinceyouareirredeemablycommitted，"
repliedRalph，asthemusic，aftersomeprefatoryflourishes，brokeintothedeliciousrhythmofaStrausswaltz，"thenitisnousestrugglingagainstfate。Come，letusmaketheplungetogether。Miserylovescompany。"
Heofferedherhisarm，andshearose，somewhathesitatingly，andfollowed。
"Iamafraid，"shewhispered，astheyfellintolinewiththeprocessionthatwasmovingdownthelonghall，"thatyouhaveaskedmetodancemerelybecauseIsaidIfeltforlorn。Ifthatisthecase，Ishouldprefertobeledbacktomyseat。"
"Whatabaseimputation！"criedRalph。
Therewassomethingsocharminglynaiveinthisself—depreciation——somethingsoaltogethernovelinhisexperience，and，hecouldnothelpadding，justalittlebitcountrified。Hisspiritsrose;hebegantorelishkeenlyhispositionasanexperiencedmanoftheworld，and，intheagreeableglowofpatronageandconscioussuperiority，chattedwithheartyABANDONwithhislittlerusticbeauty。
"IfyourdancingisasperfectasyourGermanexerciseswere，"saidshe，laughing，astheyswungoutuponthefloor，"thenIpromisemyselfagooddealofpleasurefromourmeeting。"
"Neverfear，"answeredhe，quicklyreversinghisstep，andwhirlingwithmanyacapriciousturnawayamongthethrongingcouples。
WhenRalphdrovehomeinhiscarriagetowardmorninghebrieflysummeduphisimpressionsofBerthainthefollowingadjectives：
intelligent，delightfullyunsophisticated，alittlebitverdant，butdevilishpretty。
SomeweekslaterColonelGrimreceivedanappointmentatthefortressofAggershuus，andimmediatelytookuphisresidenceinthecapital。
Hesawthathissoncutafinefigureinthehighestcirclesofsociety，andexpressedhisgratificationinthemostemphaticterms。Ifhehadknown，however，thatRalphwasinthehabitofvisiting，withalarmingregularity，atthehouseofaplebeianmerchantinasomewhatobscurestreet，hewould，nodoubt，havebeenmorecharyofhispraise。ButtheColonelsuspectednothing，anditwaswellforthepeaceofthefamilythathedidnot。ItmayhavebeencowardiceinRalphthathenevermentionedBertha’snametohisfamilyortohisaristocraticacquaintances;for，tobecandid，hehimselffeltashamedofthepowersheexertedoverhim，andbyturnspitiedandridiculedhimselfforpursuingsoingloriousaconquest。Neverthelessitwoundedhisegotismthatshenevershowedanysurpriseatseeinghim，thatshereceivedhimwithacertainfrankunceremoniousness，which，however，wasverybecomingtoher;