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Page 18
At last, after numerous efforts he stopped at this: "--geb--! It
is a mistake: he waits only for--geb--." It appeared to him to
contain the approach to a happy result, and tired out by emotion
he fell asleep on his sofa.
Some days after came a new letter with the dear handwriting: its
contents were:
"Well! appear eight days from to-day at Mrs. Canuteson's, to
congratulate her upon her birthday."
This was sunshine after thunder; this was hope's rainbow which
arched itself up to heaven from the earth, yet wet with tears.
"And so she belongs to good society," said the Counsellor of
Justice, without noticing how by these words he discovered to
himself that a doubt or suspicion had lain until now behind his
ecstasy. "But," he added, "consequently, it is my own friends who
have spread the rumor of my marriage. Friends indeed! A wife is a
man's only friend. It is hard, suicidal, to remain a bachelor."
On the appointed day he went too early. Mrs. Canuteson was yet
alone. She was surprised at his congratulatory visit; but,
however, as it was a courtesy, the surprise was mingled with
delight, and Bagger was not the man whose visit a lady would not
receive with pleasure. With that ingenuity of wit one can
sometimes have, just when the heart is full and taken possession
of, he did wonders, and entertained the lady in so lively a manner
that she did not perceive how long a time he was passing with her.
As the door at length opened, the lady exclaimed:
"Oh, that is charming! Heartily welcome! Thank you for last time,
[Footnote: In Sweden and Norway when the guest meets the host or
hostess for the first time after an entertainment, the first
greeting on the part of the former is always, "Thank you for the
last time."] and for all the good in your house! How does your
mother do? This amiable young lady's acquaintance I made last
summer when we were in the country, and at last she is so good as
to keep her promise and visit me. Counsellor Bagger--Miss Hjelm."
The Counsellor wasn't sure that it was She, but he was convinced
that it ought to be. Not to speak of Ingeborg Hjelm's being really
amiable and distinguee, his heart was now prepared, as a
photographer's glass which has received collodium, and took the
first girl picture that met it. He was quite afraid that there
would come more to choose among. Yet the fairy brightness of the
unknown had at this moment lost itself for him; for, however
brilliant it may appear to the fancy, it cannot be compared with
the warm, beautiful reality, particularly so long as this itself
is new and unknown.
He approached and spoke to Miss Hjelm with painful hidden emotion
of soul. She was friendly and open, for the name Counsellor Bagger
did not occur to her; and the idea she had formed of him did not
at all compare with the young, elegant, handsome man she was now
speaking with. True enough, his manner was somewhat peculiarly
gallant, which a lady cannot easily mistake; but this gallantry
was united with such an unmistakable respect, or more properly
awe, that he gave her the impression of a poetical, knightly
nature.
By and by there came more ladies, both married and unmarried, but
Bagger had almost forgotten what errand they could have with him.
At last Miss Brandt came also, accompanied by her sister. As she
opened the door, and saw Bagger by the side of Miss Hjelm, she
gave a little, a very little, cry, or, more properly, gasped aloud
for breath, and made a movement, as if something kept her back.
"Oh! my dress caught," she said, arranged it a little, and then
approached Mrs. Canuteson, with smiling face, to offer her
congratulation.
Bagger looked at the watch: he had been there two hours! After yet
lingering to exchange a few polite words with Miss Brandt, he took
leave. His visit had in all respects been so unusual, and had
given occasion for so much comment, that it required more time
than could be given there; and his name was not at all mentioned
after he left.
V.
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