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Page 44
"You must think," said she quickly, with a smile, "that it is absurd for
me to preach you a sermon. We all have to attend to our own affairs; and
if you will excuse me, I have to go and try on a dress. Good-bye, Mr.
Delphin; I hope you will find your strawberries to your taste."
Delphin was quite confounded; but before he had had time to get his hat
she put her head in at the door, still smiling, and cried, "You will
drive over with me to-morrow?" and, without waiting for an answer, she
nodded her head and disappeared.
Delphin had hardly recovered himself when he went for his ride to
Sandsgaard, and he quite forgot about the flying salute over the garden
wall, for there was no one to be seen either at the window or in front
of the house. The fact was, his adventure had made such an impression on
him that he did not take very much notice.
Fanny at first repelled his advances haughtily; but he accepted his fate
with resignation. George Delphin was not the man to lose his time or his
temper, in a hopeless pursuit. There are many respectable prizes in a
lottery without aiming at the first. But now here was the chance of
winning the great prize, the charming Fanny, the admiration of all. His
heart swelled with pride, and if Jacob Worse could have seen the look
with which he regarded the passers-by, it would certainly have reminded
him of General Prim.
The next day at Sandsgaard, Fanny and Madeleine were together during the
whole afternoon. Delphin could not manage to get an opportunity of
talking to either separately. Just once he came upon Fanny in the
morning-room at the piano, but she got up and went out hurriedly as he
entered. As they drove home that evening scarcely a word passed between
them. Fanny kept gazing the whole time over the fjord, of which they
caught glimpses from time to time through the trees of the avenue. It
was a still, peaceful autumn evening, and Delphin was in an excited
mood. Each time he moved he felt the rustle of her silk dress, the folds
of which nearly filled the carriage. Both sat quite silent to the end of
the drive.
During the next few days Madeleine was again staying with her cousin,
whom she found more gracious than ever. Delphin came even more
frequently than before; but she did not meet him during her walks, a
fact which she related to Fanny. Fanny said with a smile that Delphin
was perfectly right, and his conduct was only proper, now that people
had begun to talk about their frequent walks together.
Madeleine thought with regret upon how much there is to be careful of in
this world; but a short time afterwards she met Mr. Delphin, and during
the pleasant walk they had together he was most attentive, and in the
best of spirits.
Fanny was now more beaming than ever. Whenever she saw her own and
Madeleine's reflection in the glass, which, to tell the truth, was very
often the case, a smile of satisfaction would pass over her features.
Without Madeleine having a suspicion, the _r�les_ had been changed, and
the play was ready to begin, now that Fanny had made up her mind that
the parts were in the right hands.
CHAPTER XI.
All the Miss Sparres, of whom there were five, rushed to the window.
"It is Mr. Johnsen, the new school-inspector! No, it isn't! Yes, it is!
It _is_ Mr. Johnsen! Do you think I don't know him, although he has got
a new coat? I declare, he is coming in!"
"Clementine, you have taken my cuffs! Yes, you have! They were on the
piano. He is only going in to see father. Clara, Clara! you are standing
on my dress! Here he is! It is a visit! Who can have taken my cuffs?"
Mrs. Sparre was not long in getting them into order. The street door was
opened. There was a moment's breathless expectation in the room. It was
agreed that Miss Barbara, the eldest, was to say, "Come in," and as all
eyes were fixed upon her, she became quite pale with emotion. A knock at
the door was heard; but it was at the study door, and the dean said,
"Come in!" The door was heard to open, and a subdued conversation began
in the room.
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