Errington looked meditative. "Nothing at present We'll go fishing
with the others. But, I tell you what, if you're up to it, we'll
leave Duprez and Macfarlane at the minister's house this evening and
tell them to wait for us there,--once they all begin to chatter they
never know how time goes. Meanwhile you and I will take the boat and
row over in search of this farmer's abode. I believe there's a short
cut to it by water; at any rate I know the way SHE went."

"'I know the way she went home with her maiden posy!'" quoted
Lorimer, with a laugh. "You are hit Phil, 'a very palpable hit'! Who
would have thought it! Clara Winsleigh needn't poison her husband
after all in-order to marry you, for nothing but a sun-empress will
suit you now."

"Don't be a fool, George," said Errington, half vexedly, as the hot
color mounted to his face in spite of himself. "It is all idle
curiosity, nothing else. After what Svensen told us, I'm quite as
anxious to see this gruff old bonde as his daughter."

Lorimer held up a reproachful finger. "Now, Phil, don't stoop to
duplicity--not with me, at any rate. Why disguise your feelings?
Why, as the tragedians say, endeavor to crush the noblest and best
emotions that ever warm the BOO-ZUM of man? Chivalrous sentiment and
admiration for beauty,--chivalrous desire to pursue it and catch it
and call it your own,--I understand it all, my dear boy! But my
prophetic soul tells me you will have to strangle the excellent Olaf
Guldmar--heavens! what a name!--before you will be allowed to make
love to his fair CHEE-ILD. Then don't forget the madman with the
torch,--he may turn up in the most unexpected fashion and give you
no end of trouble. But, by Jove, it IS a romantic affair, positively