Theyearwent，andAsathorreturned。Ifhehadnottoldhisname，however，Lagewouldnothaverecognizedhim。Thatayearcouldworksogreatachangeinagod，hewouldhardlyhavebelieved，ifhisowneyeshadnottestifiedtoit。Asathor’scheekswerepaleandbloodless，thelustreofhiseyemorethanhalfquenched，andhisgrayhairhungindisorderdownoverhisforehead。
"Methinksthoulookestratherpoorlyto—day，"
saidLage。
"Itisonlythosecursedchurch—bells，"answeredthegod;"theyleavemenorestdayornight。"
"Aha，"thoughtLage，"iftheking’sbellsaremightierthanthou，thenthereisstillhopeofsafetyformydaughter。"
"WhereisBrynhild，thydaughter？"askedAsathor。
"Iknownotwheresheis，"answeredthefather;andstraightwayheturnedhiseyestowardthegoldencrossthatshoneoverthevalleyfromSaintOlaf’ssteeple，andhecalledaloudontheWhiteChrist’sname。Thenthegodgaveafearfulroar，fellontheground，writhedandfoamedandvanishedintothemountain。InthenextmomentLageheardahoarsevoicecryingfromwithin，"Ishallreturn，LageUlfson，whenthoushaltleastexpectme！"
LageUlfsonthensettoworkclearingawaythroughtheforest;andwhenthatwasdone，hecalledallhishouseholdtogether，andtoldthemofthepowerofChristtheWhite。Notlongafterhetookhissonsandhisdaughter，andhastenedwiththemsouthward，untilhefoundKingOlaf。And，sotheSagarelates，theyallfelldownontheirkneesbeforehim，prayedforhisforgiveness，andreceivedbaptismfromtheking’sownbishop。
SoendstheSagaofLageUlfsonKvaerk。
II。
AasaKvaerklovedherfatherwell，butespeciallyinthewinter。Then，whileshesatturningherspinning—wheelinthelightofthecracklinglogs，hissilentpresencealwayshadawonderfullysoothingandcalmingeffectuponher。Sheneverlaughedthen，andseldomwept;
whenshefelthiseyesrestingonher，herthoughts，hersenses，andherwholebeingseemedbydegreestobeluredfromtheirhiding—
placeandconcentrateonhim;andfromhimtheyventuredagain，firsttimidly，thenmoreboldly，tograsptheobjectsaroundhim。AtsuchtimesAasacouldtalkandjestalmostlikeothergirls，andhermother，towhom"othergirls"representedtheidealofwomanlyperfection，wouldsendsignificantglances，fullofhopeandencouragement，overtoLage，andhewouldquietlynodinreturn，asiftosaythatheentirelyagreedwithher。ThenElsiehadbrightvisionsofwooersandthriftyhousewives，andevenLagedreamedofseeingtheancienthonorofthefamilyre—established。AlldependedonAasa。Shewasthelastofthemightyrace。
Butwhensummercame，thebrightvisionsfled;
andthespringwinds，whichtoothersbringlifeandjoy，toKvaerkbroughtnothingbutsorrow。
Nosoonerhadthemountainbrooksbeguntoswell，thanAasabegantolaughandtoweep;
andwhenthefirstbirchesbuddedupintheglens，shecouldnolongerbekeptathome。
Prayersandthreatswereequallyuseless。Fromearlydawnuntileveningshewouldroamaboutinforestsandfields，andwhenlateatnightshestoleintotheroomandslippedawayintosomecorner，Lagedrewadeepsighandthoughtoftheoldtradition。
Aasawasnineteenyearsoldbeforeshehadasinglewooer。Butwhenshewasleastexpectingit，thewooercametoher。
Itwaslateonesummernight;theyoungmaidenwassittingonthebrinkoftheravine，ponderingontheoldlegendandpeeringdownintothedeepbelow。Itwasnotthefirsttimeshehadfoundherwayhither，wherebutseldomahumanfoothaddaredtotread。Tohereveryalderandbramble—bush，thatclothedthenakedwalloftherock，wereasfamiliarasweretheknotsandveinsintheceilingofthechamberwherefromherchildhoodshehadslept;andasshesatthereonthebrinkoftheprecipice，thelatesummersunthrewitsredlustreuponheranduponthefogsthatcamedriftingupfromthedeep。Withhereyesshefollowedthedriftingmassesoffog，andwondered，astheyrosehigherandhigher，whentheywouldreachher;inherfancyshesawherselfdancingoverthewideexpanseofheaven，cladinthesun—gildedeveningfogs;andSaintOlaf，thegreatandholyking，cameridingtomeether，mountedonaflamingsteedmadeofthegloryofathousandsunsets;thenSaintOlaftookherhandandliftedherup，andshesatwithhimontheflamingsteed：butthefoglingeredinthedeepbelow，andasitroseitspreadlikeathin，half—invisiblegauzeovertheforestsandthefields，andatlastvanishedintotheinfinitespace。Buthark！ahugestonerollsdownoverthemountain—side，thenanother，andanother;
thenoisegrows，thebirchesdownthereinthegorgetrembleandshake。Aasaleanedoutoverthebrinkoftheravine，and，asfarasshecoulddistinguishanythingfromherdizzyingheight，thoughtshesawsomethinggraycreepingslowlyuptheneck—breakingmountainpath;shewatcheditforawhile，butasitseemedtoadvancenofarthersheagaintookrefugeinherreveries。Anhourmighthavepassed，orperhapsmore，whensuddenlysheheardanoiseonlyafewfeetdistant，and，againstoopingoutoverthebrink，sawthefigureofamanstrug—
glingdesperatelytoclimbthelastgreatledgeoftherock。Withbothhishandsheclungtoalittlebirch—treewhichstretcheditsslenderarmsdownovertheblackwall，butwitheverymomentthatpassedseemedlesslikelytoaccomplishthefeat。Thegirlforawhilestoodwatchinghimwithunfeignedcuriosity，then，suddenlyremindingherselfthatthesituationtohimmustbeadangerousone，seizedholdofatreethatgrewnearthebrink，andleanedoutovertherocktogivehimherassistance。
Heeagerlygraspedherextendedhand，andwithavigorouspullsheflunghimuponthegrassylevel，whereheremainedlyingforaminuteortwo，apparentlyutterlyunabletoaccountforhissuddenascent，andgazingaroundhimwithahalf—frightened，half—bewilderedlook。Aasa，towhomhisappearancewasnolessstrangethanhisdemeanor，unluckilyhitupontheideathatperhapsherratherviolenttreatmenthadmomentarilystunnedhim，andwhen，asanswertohersympathizingquestionifhewashurt，thestrangerabruptlyrosetohisfeetandtoweredupbeforehertotheformidableheightofsixfeetfourorfive，shecouldnolongermasterhermirth，butburstoutintoamostvehementfitoflaughter。Hestoodcalmandsilent，andlookedatherwithatimidbutstrangelybittersmile。Hewassoverydifferentfromanymanshehadeverseenbefore;
thereforeshelaughed，notnecessarilybecauseheamusedher，butbecausehiswholepersonwasasurprisetoher;andtherehestood，tallandgauntandtimid，andsaidnotaword，onlygazedandgazed。Hisdresswasnotthenationalcostumeofthevalley，neitherwasitlikeanythingthatAasahadeverknown。Onhisheadheworeacapthathungallononeside，andwasdecoratedwithalong，heavysilktassel。
Athreadbarecoat，whichseemedtobemadeexpresslynottofithim，hunglooselyonhisslopingshoulders，andapairofgraypantaloons，whichwerenarrowwheretheyoughttohavebeenwide，andwidewhereitwastheirdutytobenarrow，extendedtheirservicetoalittlemorethantheupperhalfofthelimb，and，byakindofcompromisewiththetopsoftheboots，managedtoprotectalsothelowerhalf。Hisfeaturesweredelicate，andwouldhavebeencalledhandsomehadtheybelongedtoaproportionatelydelicatebody;inhiseyeshoveredadreamyvaguenesswhichseemedtocomeandvanish，andtoflitfromonefeaturetoanother，suggestingtheideaofremoteness，andafeelingofhopelessstrangenesstotheworldandallitsconcerns。
"DoIinconvenienceyou，madam？"werethefirstwordsheuttered，asAasainherusualabruptmannerstayedherlaughter，turnedherbackonhim，andhastilystartedforthehouse。
"Inconvenience？"saidshe，surprised，andagainslowlyturnedonherheel;"no，notthatIknow。"
"Thentellmeiftherearepeoplelivinghereintheneighborhood，orifthelightdeceivedme，whichIsawfromtheothersideoftheriver。"
"Followme，"answeredAasa，andshenavelyreachedhimherhand;"myfather’snameisLageUlfsonKvaerk;helivesinthelargehouseyouseestraightbeforeyou，thereonthehill;
andmymotherlivestheretoo。"
Andhandinhandtheywalkedtogether，whereapathhadbeenmadebetweentwoadjoiningrye—fields;hisserioussmileseemedtogrowmilderandhappier，thelongerhelingeredatherside，andhereyecaughtarayofmorehumanintelligence，asitrestedonhim。
"Whatdoyoudouphereinthelongwinter？"
askedhe，afterapause。
"Wesing，"answeredshe，asitwereatran—
dom，becausethewordcameintohermind;
"andwhatdoyoudo，whereyoucomefrom？"
"Igathersong。"
"Haveyoueverheardtheforestsing？"
askedshe，curiously。
"ThatiswhyIcamehere。"
Andagaintheywalkedoninsilence。
ItwasnearmidnightwhentheyenteredthelargehallatKvaerk。Aasawentbefore，stillleadingtheyoungmanbythehand。Inthetwilightwhichfilledthehouse，thespacebetweentheblack，smokyraftersopenedavaguevistaintotheregionofthefabulous，andeveryobjectintheroomloomedforthfromtheduskwithexaggeratedformanddimensions。Theroomappearedatfirsttobebutthehauntofthespiritsofthepast;nohumanvoice，nohumanfootstep，washeard;andthestrangerinstinctivelypressedthehandheheldmoretightly;forhewasnotsurebutthathewasstandingontheboundaryofdream—land，andsomeelfinmaidenhadreachedhimherhandtolurehimintohermountain，whereheshouldlivewithherforever。Buttheillusionwasofbriefduration;forAasa’sthoughtshadtakenawidelydifferentcourse;itwasbutseldomshehadfoundherselfunderthenecessityofmakingadecision;andnowitevidentlydevolveduponhertofindthestrangeraplaceofrestforthenight;soinsteadofanelf—maid’skissandasilverpalace，hesoonfoundhimselfhuddledintoadarklittlealcoveinthewall，wherehewastoldtogotosleep，whileAasawanderedovertotheemptycow—stables，andthrewherselfdowninthehaybythesideoftwosleepingmilkmaids。
III。
Therewasnotalittleastonishmentmanifestedamongtheservant—maidsatKvaerkthenextmorning，whenthehuge，gauntfigureofamanwasseentolaunchforthfromAasa’salcove，andthestrangestofallwas，thatAasaherselfappearedtobeasmuchastonishedastherest。Andtheretheystood，allgazingatthebewilderedtraveler，whoindeedwasnolessstartledthanthey，andasutterlyunabletoaccountforhisownsuddenapparition。Afteralongpause，hesummonedallhiscourage，fixedhiseyesintentlyonthegroupofthegirls，andwithafewrapidstepsadvancedtowardAasa，whomheseizedbythehandandasked，"Areyounotmymaidenofyester—eve？"
Shemethisgazefirmly，andlaidherhandonherforeheadasiftoclearherthoughts;asthememoryofthenightflashedthroughhermind，abrightsmilelitupherfeatures，andsheanswered，"Youarethemanwhogatherssong。
Forgiveme，Iwasnotsurebutitwasalladream;forIdreamsomuch。"
ThenoneofthemaidsranouttocallLageUlfson，whohadgonetothestablestoharnessthehorses;andhecameandgreetedtheunknownman，andthankedhimforlastmeeting，asisthewontofNorsepeasants，althoughtheyhadneverseeneachotheruntilthatmorning。
ButwhenthestrangerhadeatentwomealsinLage’shouse，Lageaskedhimhisnameandhisfather’soccupation;foroldNorwegianhospitalityforbidsthehosttolearntheguest’snamebeforehehassleptandeatenunderhisroof。Itwasthatsameafternoon，whentheysattogethersmokingtheirpipesunderthehugeoldpineintheyard，——itwasthenLageinquiredabouttheyoungman’snameandfamily;andtheyoungmansaidthathisnamewasTrondVigfusson，thathehadgraduatedattheUniversityofChristiania，andthathisfatherhadbeenalieutenantinthearmy;butbothheandTrond’smotherhaddied，whenTrondwasonlyafewyearsold。LagethentoldhisguestVigfussonsomethingabouthisfamily，butofthelegendofAsathorandSaintOlafhespokenotaword。Andwhiletheyweresittingtheretalkingtogether，AasacameandsatdownatVigfusson’sfeet;herlonggoldenhairflowedinawavingstreamdownoverherbackandshoulders，therewasafresh，healthfulglowonhercheeks，andherblue，fathomlesseyeshadastrangelyjoyous，almosttriumphantexpression。
Thefather’sgazedweltfondlyuponher，andthecollegianwasbutconsciousofonethought：
thatshewaswondrouslybeautiful。Andstillsogreatwashisnaturaltimidityandawkwardnessinthepresenceofwomen，thatitwasonlywiththegreatestdifficultyhecouldmasterhisfirstimpulsetofindsomeexcuseforleavingher。She，however，wasawareofnosuchrestraint。
"Yousaidyoucametogathersong，"shesaid;"wheredoyoufindit？forItooshouldliketofindsomenewmelodyformyoldthoughts;Ihavesearchedsolong。"
"Ifindmysongsonthelipsofthepeople，"
answeredhe，"andIwritethemdownasthemaidensortheoldmensingthem。"
Shedidnotseemquitetocomprehendthat。
"Doyouhearmaidenssingthem？"askedshe，astonished。"Doyoumeanthetroll—virginsandtheelf—maidens？"
"Bytroll—virginsandelf—maidens，orwhatthelegendscallso，Iunderstandthehiddenandstillaudiblevoicesofnature，ofthedarkpineforests，thelegend—hauntedglades，andthesilenttarns;andthiswaswhatIreferredtowhenI
answeredyourquestionifIhadeverheardtheforestsing。"
"Oh，oh！"criedshe，delighted，andclappedherhandslikeachild;butinanothermomentsheassuddenlygrewseriousagain，andsatsteadfastlygazingintohiseye，asifsheweretryingtolookintohisverysoulandtheretofindsomethingkindredtoherownlonelyheart。
Aminuteagoherpresencehadembarrassedhim;now，strangetosay，hemethereye，andsmiledhappilyashemetit。
"Doyoumeantosaythatyoumakeyourlivingbywritingsongs？"askedLage。
"Thetroubleis，"answeredVigfusson，"thatImakenolivingatall;butIhaveinvestedalargecapital，whichistoyielditsinterestinthefuture。Thereisatreasureofsonghiddenineverynookandcornerofourmountainsandforests，andinournation’sheart。Iamoneoftheminerswhohavecometodigitoutbeforetimeandoblivionshallhaveburiedeverytraceofit，andthereshallnotbeeventhewill—o’—the—
wispofalegendtohoveroverthespot，andkeepalivethesadfactofourlossandourblamablenegligence。"
Heretheyoungmanpaused;hiseyesgleamed，hispalecheeksflushed，andtherewasawarmthandanenthusiasminhiswordswhichalarmedLage，whileonAasaitworkedlikethemostpotentcharmoftheancientmysticrunes;
shehardlycomprehendedmorethanhalfofthespeaker’smeaning，buthisfireandeloquencewereonthisaccountnonethelesspowerful。
"Ifthatisyourobject，"remarkedLage，"I
thinkyouhavehitupontherightplaceincominghere。Youwillbeabletopickupmanyanoddbitofastoryfromtheservantsandothershereabouts，andyouarewelcometostayherewithusaslongasyouchoose。"
LagecouldnotbutattributetoVigfussonthemeritofhavingkeptAasaathomeawholeday，andthatinthemonthofmidsummer。Andwhilehesattherelisteningtotheirconversation，whilehecontemplatedthedelightthatbeamedfromhisdaughter’scountenanceand，ashethought，thereallyintelligentexpressionofhereyes，couldheconcealfromhimselfthepa—
ternalhopesthatswelledhisheart？Shewasallthatwaslefthim，thelifeorthedeathofhismightyrace。Andherewasonewhowaslikelytounderstandher，andtowhomsheseemedwillingtoyieldalltheaffectionofherwarmbutwaywardheart。ThusranLageUlfson’sreflections;andatnighthehadalittleconsultationwithElsie，hiswife，who，itisneedlesstoadd，wasnolesssanguinethanhe。
"AndthenAasawillmakeanexcellenthousewife，youknow，"observedElsie。"Iwillspeaktothegirlaboutitto—morrow。"
"No，forHeaven’ssake，Elsie！"exclaimedLage，"don’tyouknowyourdaughterbetterthanthat？Promiseme，Elsie，thatyouwillnotsayasingleword;itwouldbeacruelthing，Elsie，tomentionanythingtoher。Sheisnotlikeothergirls，youknow。"
"Verywell，Lage，Ishallnotsayasingleword。Alas，youareright，sheisnotlikeothergirls。"AndElsieagainsighedatherhusband’ssadignoranceofawoman’snature，andatthestillsadderfactofherdaughter’sinferioritytotheacceptedstandardofwomanhood。
IV。
TrondVigfussonmusthavemadearichharvestoflegendsatKvaerk，atleastjudgingbythetimehestayedthere;fordaysandweekspassed，andhehadyetsaidnothingofgoing。
Notthatanybodywishedhimtogo;no，onthecontrary，thelongerhestayedthemoreindispensableheseemedtoall;andLageUlfsoncouldhardlythinkwithoutashudderofthepossibilityofhiseverhavingtoleavethem。
ForAasa，hisonlychild，waslikeanotherbeinginthepresenceofthisstranger;allthatweird，forest—likeintensity，thatwild，halfsupernaturaltingeinhercharacterwhichinameasureexcludedherfromtheblissfulfeelingoffellowshipwithothermen，andmadeherthestrange，lonelycreatureshewas，——allthisseemedtovanishasdewinthemorningsunwhenVigfusson’seyesresteduponher;andwitheverydaythatpassed，herhumanandwomanlynaturegainedastrongerholduponher。Shefollowedhimlikehisshadowonallhiswanderings，andwhentheysatdowntogetherbythewayside，shewouldsing，inaclear，softvoice，anancientlayorballad，andhewouldcatchherwordsonhispaper，andsmileatthehappyprospectofperpetuatingwhatotherwisewouldhavebeenlost。
Aasa’slove，whetherconsciousornot，wastohimaneverlastingsourceofstrength，wasarevelationofhimselftohimself，andaclearingandwideningpowerwhichbroughtevermoreandmoreoftheuniversewithinthescopeofhisvision。Sotheylivedonfromdaytodayandfromweektoweek，and，asoldLageremarked，neverhadKvaerkbeenthesceneofsomuchhappiness。NotasingletimeduringVigfusson’sstayhadAasafledtotheforest，notamealhadshemissed，andatthehoursforfamilydevotionshehadtakenherseatatthebigtablewiththerestandapparentlylistenedwithasmuchattentionandinterest。Indeed，allthistimeAasaseemedpurposelytoavoidthedarkhauntsofthewoods，and，whenevershecould，chosetheopenhighway;notevenVigfusson’sentreatiescouldinducehertotreadthetemptingpathsthatledintotheforest’sgloom。
"Andwhynot，Aasa？"hewouldsay;"summeristentimessummertherewhenthedrowsynoondayspreadsitstremblingmazeofshadowsbetweenthosehuge，venerabletrunks。Youcanfeelthesummercreepingintoyourveryheartandsoul，there！"
"Oh，Vigfusson，"shewouldanswer，shakingherheadmournfully，"forahundredpathsthatleadin，thereisonlyonethatleadsoutagain，andsometimeseventhatoneisnowheretobefound。"
Heunderstoodhernot，butfearingtoask，heremainedsilent。
Hiswordsandhiseyesalwaysdrewhernearerandnearertohim;andtheforestanditsstrangevoicesseemedadark，opposinginfluence，whichstrovetotakepossessionofherheartandtowrestherawayfromhimforever;
shehelplesslyclungtohim;everythoughtandemotionofhersoulclusteredabouthim，andeveryhopeoflifeandhappinesswasstakedonhim。
OneeveningVigfussonandoldLageUlfsonhadbeenwalkingaboutthefieldstolookatthecrop，bothsmokingtheireveningpipes。Butastheycamedowntowardthebrinkwhencethepathleadsbetweenthetwoadjoiningrye—
fields，theyheardasweet，sadvoicecrooningsomeolddittydownbetweenthebirch—treesattheprecipice;theystoppedtolisten，andsoonrecognizedAasa’syellowhairoverthetopstherye;theshadowasofapainfulemotionflittedoverthefather’scountenance，andheturnedhisbackonhisguestandstartedtogo;
thenagainpaused，andsaid，imploringly，"Trytogetherhomeifyoucan，friendVigfusson。’
Vigfussonnodded，andLagewent;thesonghadceasedforamoment，nowitbeganagain：
"Yetwitteringbirdlings，inforestandglenIhaveheardyousogladlybefore;
Butaboldknighthathcometowoome，Idarelistentoyounomore。
Foritissodark，sodarkintheforest。
"Andtheknightwhohathcomea—wooingtome，Hecallsmehisloveandhisown;
WhythenshouldIstraythroughthedarksomewoods，Ordreaminthegladesalone？
Foritissodark，sodarkintheforest。"
Hervoicefelltoalowunintelligiblemurmur;
thenitrose，andthelastversescame，clear，soft，andlow，driftingontheeveningbreeze：
"Yonbeckoningworld，thatshimmeringlayO’erthewoodswheretheoldpinesgrow，ThatgleamedthroughthemoodsofthesummerdayWhenthebreezesweremurmuringlow（Anditissodark，sodarkintheforest）;
"OhletmenomoreinthesunshinehearItsquiveringnoondaycall;
Theboldknight’sloveisthesunofmyheart——
Ismylife，andmyallinall。
Butitissodark，sodarkintheforest。"
Theyoungmanfeltthebloodrushingtohisface——hisheartbeatviolently。Therewasakeensenseofguiltintheblushonhischeek，aloudaccusationinthethrobbingpulseandtheswellingheart—beat。Hadhenotstoodtherebehindthemaiden’sbackandcunninglypeeredintohersoul’sholyofholies？True，helovedAasa;atleasthethoughthedid，andtheconvictionwasgrowingstrongerwitheverydaythatpassed。Andnowhehadnodoubtthathehadgainedherheart。Itwasnotsomuchthewordsoftheballadwhichhadbetrayedthesecret;hehardlyknewwhatitwas，butsomehowthetruthhadflasheduponhim，andhecouldnolongerdoubt。
Vigfussonsatdownonthemoss—grownrockandpondered。Howlonghesattherehedidnotknow，butwhenheroseandlookedaround，Aasawasgone。Thenrememberingherfather’srequesttobringherhome，hehastenedupthehill—sidetowardthemansion，andsearchedforherinalldirections。ItwasnearmidnightwhenhereturnedtoKvaerk，whereAasasatinherhighgablewindow，stillhummingtheweirdmelodyoftheoldballad。
BywhatreasoningVigfussonarrivedathisfinalconclusionisdifficulttotell。Ifhehadactedaccordingtohisfirstandperhapsmostgenerousimpulse，thematterwouldsoonhavebeendecided;buthewasallthetimepossessedofavaguefearofactingdishonorably，anditwasprobablythisveryfearwhichmadehimdowhat，tothemindsofthosewhosefriendshipandhospitalityhehadaccepted，hadsomethingoftheappearancehewishedsocarefullytoavoid。Aasawasrich;hehadnothing;itwasareasonfordelay，buthardlyaconclusiveone。
Theydidnotknowhim;hemustgooutintheworldandprovehimselfworthyofher。Hewouldcomebackwhenheshouldhavecompelledtheworldtorespecthim;forasyethehaddonenothing。Infact，hisargumentsweregoodandhonorableenough，andtherewouldhavebeennofaulttofindwithhim，hadtheobjectofhislovebeenascapableofreasoningashewashimself。ButAasa，poorthing，coulddonothingbyhalves;anaturelikehersbrooksnodelay;
toherlovewaslifeoritwasdeath。
Thenextmorningheappearedatbreakfastwithhisknapsackonhisback，andotherwiseequippedforhisjourney。ItwasofnousethatElsiecriedandbeggedhimtostay，thatLagejoinedhisprayerstohers，andthatAasastoodstaringathimwithabewilderedgaze。Vigfussonshookhandswiththemall，thankedthemfortheirkindnesstohim，andpromisedtoreturn;
heheldAasa’shandlonginhis，butwhenhereleasedit，itdroppedhelplesslyatherside。
V。
Farupintheglen，aboutamilefromKvaerk，ranalittlebrook;thatis，itwaslittleinsummerandwinter，butinthespring，whilethesnowwasmeltingupinthemountains，itoverflowedthenearestlandandturnedthewholeglenintoabroadandshallowriver。Itwaseasytocross，however;alightfootmightjumpfromstonetostone，andbeoverinaminute。NotthehindherselfcouldbelighteronherfootthanAasawas;andeveninthespring—flooditwasherwonttocrossandrecrossthebrook，andtositdreamingonalargestoneagainstwhichthewaterbrokeincessantly，rushinginwhitetorrentsoveritsedges。
Hereshesatonefairsummerday——thedayafterVigfusson’sdeparture。Itwasnoon，andthesunstoodhighovertheforest。Thewatermurmuredandmurmured，babbledandwhispered，untilatlengththerecameasuddenunceasingtoneintoitsmurmur，thenanother，anditsoundedlikeafaintwhisperingsongofsmallairybeings。Andasshetriedtolisten，tofixtheairinhermind，itallceasedagain，andsheheardbutthemonotonousmurmuringofthebrook。Everythingseemedsoemptyandworthless，asifthatfaintmelodyhadbeentheworldofthemoment。Butthereitwasagain;
itsungandsung，andthebirchoverheadtookupthemelodyandrustleditwithitsleaves，andthegrasshopperoverinthegrasscaughtitandwhirreditwithherwings。Thewater，thetrees，theair，werefullofit。Whatastrangemelody！
AasawellknewthateverybrookandriverhasitsNeck，besideshostsoflittlewater—sprites。
Shehadheardalsothatinthemoonlightatmidsummer，onemightchancetoseethemrockinginbrightlittleshells，playingamongthepebbles，ordancingonthelargeleavesofthewater—lily。Andthattheycouldsingalso，shedoubtednot;itwastheirvoicessheheardthroughthemurmuringofthebrook。Aasaeagerlybentforwardandgazeddownintothewater：thefaintsonggrewlouder，pausedsuddenly，andsprangintolifeagain;anditssoundwassosweet，sowonderfullyalluring！Downthereinthewater，whereastubbornpebblekeptchafingaprecipitouslittlesidecurrent，cleartinypearl—dropswouldleapupfromthestream，andfloathalf—wonderinglydownwardfromrapidtorapid，untiltheylostthemselvesinthewhirlofsomestrongercurrent。ThussatAasaandgazedandgazed，andinonemomentsheseemedtoseewhatinthenextmomentshesawnot。Thenasuddengreathushstolethroughtheforest，andinthehushshecouldhearthesilencecallinghername。Itwassolongsinceshehadbeenintheforest，itseemedagesandagesago。Shehardlyknewherself;
thelightseemedtobeshiningintohereyesaswithawillandpurpose，perhapstoobliteratesomething，someolddreamormemory，ortoimpartsomenewpower——thepowerofseeingtheunseen。Andthisverythought，thisfearofsomepossibleloss，broughtthefadingmemoryback，andshepressedherhandsagainstherthrobbingtemplesasiftobindandchainitthereforever;anditwashetowhomherthoughtreturned。Sheheardhisvoice，sawhimbeckoningtohertofollowhim，andsherosetoobey，butherlimbswereaspetrified，andthestoneonwhichshewassittingheldherwiththepowerofahundredstrongarms。Thesunshinesmoteuponhereyelids，andhisnamewasblottedoutfromherlife;therewasnothingbutemptinessallaroundher。Graduallytheforestdrewnearerandnearer，thewaterbubbledandrippled，andthehuge，bare—
stemmedpinesstretchedtheirlonggnarledarmstowardher。Thebircheswavedtheirheadswithawistfulnod，andtheprofileoftherockgrewintoafacewithalong，hookednose，andamouthhalfopenasiftospeak。Andthewordthattrembledonhislipswas，"Come。"
Shefeltnofearnorreluctance，butrosetoobey。
Thenandnotuntilthenshesawanoldmanstandingatherside;hisfacewasthefaceoftherock，hiswhitebeardflowedtohisgirdle，andhismouthwashalfopen，butnowordcamefromhislips。Therewassomethinginthewistfullookofhiseyewhichsheknewsowell，whichshehadseensooften，althoughshecouldnottellwhenorwhere。Theoldmanextendedhishand;Aasatookit，andfearlesslyorratherspontaneouslyfollowed。Theyapproachedthesteep，rockywall;astheydrewnear，awild，fiercelaughrangthroughtheforest。Thefeaturesoftheoldmanweretwistedasitwereintoagrin;soalsowerethefeaturesoftherock;butthelaughblewlikeamightyblastthroughtheforest。
Aasaclungtotheoldman’shandandfollowedhim——sheknewnotwhither。
Athomeinthelargesitting—roomatKvaerksatLage，broodingoverthewreckofhishopesandhishappiness。AasahadgonetothewoodsagaintheveryfirstdayafterVigfusson’sdeparture。Whatwouldbetheendofallthis？
Itwasalreadylateintheevening，andshehadnotreturned。Thefathercastanxiousglancestowardthedoor，everytimeheheardthelatchmoving。Atlast，whenitwasnearmidnight，herousedallhismenfromtheirsleep，andcommandedthemtofollowhim。Soontheduskyforestsresoundedfarandnearwiththeblastofhorns，thereportofguns，andthecallingandshoutingofmen。Theaffrightedstagcrossedandrecrossedthepathofthehunters，butnotariflewasleveledatitshead。Towardmorning——
itwasbeforethesunhadyetrisen——Lage，wearyandstunned，stoodleaningupagainstahugefir。Thensuddenlyafierce，wildlaughrangthroughtheforest。Lageshuddered，raisedhishandslowlyandpressedithardagainsthisforehead，vainlystrugglingtoclearhisthoughts。Themenclungfearfullytogether;afewofthemorecourageousonesdrewtheirknivesandmadethesignofthecrosswiththemintheair。Againthesamemadlaughshooktheair，andsweptoverthecrownsofthepine—trees。ThenLageliftedhiseyestowardheavenandwrunghishands：fortheawfultruthstoodbeforehim。Heremainedalongwhileleaningagainstthatoldfirasinadeadstupor;andnoonedaredtoarousehim。A
suppressedmurmurreachedthemen’sears。
"Butdeliverusfromevil"werethelastwordstheyheard。
WhenLageandhisservantscamehometoKvaerkwiththemournfultidingsofAasa’sdisappearance，nooneknewwhattodoorsay。
TherecouldbenodoubtthatAasawas"mountain—
taken，"astheycallit;fortherewereTroldsanddwarfsinalltherocksandforestsroundabout，andtheywouldhardlyletslipthechanceofalluringsofairamaidenasAasawasintotheircastlesinthemountains。Elsie，hermother，knewagooddealabouttheTrolds，theirtricks，andtheirwayofliving，andwhenshehadweptherfill，shefelltothinkingofthepossibilityofregainingherdaughterfromtheirpower。IfAasahadnotyettastedoffoodordrinkinthemountain，shewasstilloutofdanger;andifthepastorwouldallowthechurch—belltobebroughtupintotheforestandrungneartherockwherethelaughhadbeenheard，theTroldscouldbecompelledtogiveherback。NosoonerhadthisbeensuggestedtoLage，thanthecommandwasgiventomusterthewholeforceofmenandhorses，andbeforeeveningonthesamedaythesturdyswainsofKvaerkwereseenclimbingthetowerofthevenerablechurch，whencesoonthehugeoldbelldescended，totheastonishmentofthethrongofcuriouswomenandchildrenwhohadflockedtogethertoseetheextraordinarysight。Itwaslaiduponfourlargewagons，whichhadbeenjoinedtogetherwithropesandplanks，anddrawnawaybytwelvestronghorses。Longafterthestrangecaravanhadvanishedinthetwilight，thechildrenstoodgazingupintotheemptybell—tower。
Itwasnearmidnight，whenLagestoodatthesteep，rockywallintheforest;themenwerelaboringtohoistthechurch—belluptoastaunchcross—beambetweentwomightyfir—trees，andintheweirdlightoftheirtorches，thewildsurroundingslookedwilderandmorefantastic。
Anon，themufflednoiseandbustleoftheworkbeingatanend，thelaborerswithdrew，andastrange，feverishsilenceseemedtobroodovertheforest。Lagetookastepforward，andseizedthebell—rope;theclear，conqueringtollofthemetalrungsolemnlythroughthesilence，andfromtherocks，theearth，andthetree—
tops，roseafiercechorusofhowls，groans，andscreams。Allnighttheringingcontinued;theoldtreesswayedtoandfro，creaked，andgroaned，therootsloosenedtheirholdsinthefissuresoftherock，andthebushycrownsbowedlowundertheirunwontedburden。
Itwaswell—nighmorn，butthedensefogstillbroodedoverthewoods，anditwasdarkasnight。Lagewassittingontheground，hisheadleaningonbothhiselbows;athissidelaytheflickeringtorch，andthehugebellhungdumboverhead。Inthedarkhefeltahandtouchhisshoulder;hadithappenedonlyafewhoursbefore，hewouldhaveshuddered;nowthephysicalsensationhardlycommunicateditselftohismind，or，ifitdid，hadnopowertorousehimfromhisdead，hopelessapathy。
Suddenly——couldhetrusthisownears？——thechurch—bellgaveaslow，solemn，quiveringstroke，andthefogsrolledinthickmassestotheeastandtothewest，asifblownbythebreathofthesound。Lageseizedhistorch，sprangtohisfeet，andsaw——Vigfusson。Hestretchedhisarmwiththeblazingtorchclosertotheyoungman’sface，staredathimwithlargeeyes，andhislipquivered;buthecouldnotutteraword。
"Vigfusson？"falteredheatlast。
"ItisI;"andthesecondstrokefollowed，strongerandmoresolemnthanthefirst。Thesamefierce，angryvoiceschorusedforthfromeverynookoftherockandthewoods。Thencamethethird——thenoisegrew;fourth——anditsoundedlikeahoarse，angryhiss;whenthetwelfthstrokefell，silencereignedagainintheforest。Vigfussondroppedthebell—rope，andwithaloudvoicecalledLageKvaerkandhismen。Helitatorch，helditaloftoverhishead，andpeeredthroughtheduskynight。Themenspreadthroughthehighlandstosearchforthelostmaiden;LagefollowedcloseinVigfusson’sfootsteps。Theyhadnotwalkedfarwhentheyheardthebabblingofthebrookonlyafewfeetaway。Thithertheydirectedtheirsteps。Onalargestoneinthemiddleofthestreamtheyouththoughthesawsomethingwhite，likealargekerchief。Quickasthoughthewasatitsside，boweddownwithhistorch，and——fellbackward。ItwasAasa，hisbeloved，coldanddead;butasthefatherstoopedoverhisdeadchildthesamemadlaughechoedwildlythroughoutthewidewoods，butmadderandlouderthaneverbefore，andfromtherockywallcameafierce，brokenvoice：
"Icameatlast。"
When，afteranhourofvainsearch，themenreturnedtotheplacewhencetheyhadstarted，theysawafaintlightflickeringbetweenthebirchesnotfiftyfeetaway;theyformedafirmcolumn，andwithfearfulheartsdrewnearer。
TherelayLageKvaerk，theirmaster，stillbendingdownoverhischild’spalefeatures，andstaringintohersunkeneyesasifhecouldnotbelievethatshewerereallydead。AndathissidestoodVigfusson，paleandaghast，withtheburningtorchinhishand。Thefootstepsofthemenawakenedthefather，butwhenheturnedhisfaceonthemtheyshudderedandstartedback。ThenLagerose，liftedthemaidenfromthestone，andsilentlylaidherinVigfusson’sarms;herrichyellowhairfloweddownoverhisshoulder。Theyouthlethistorchfallintothewaters，andwithasharp，serpent—likehissitsflamewasquenched。Hecrossedthebrook;themenfollowed，andthedarkpine—treesclosedoverthelastdescendantofLageUlfson’smightyrace。