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