Invisible Links

coat and his stock. I also see his handsome, clean-shaven face with its small, small whiskers, his high stiff collar, and the graceful dignity of his slightest movement

moothly combed hair, and the big shawl with the embroidered silk flowers. The chaise in which they are driving has a seat wi

s in his eyes, but her mother has no time to weep yet. She must use her eyes to look at her daughter as long as the latter can wave and nod to her. And then of course there are merry greetings from the children in the little street and roguish glances from all the pretty, little factory girls from behind windows and doors, and dreamy looks from som

er father wipes the tears f

see that she will come out all right. Downie

u speak in a strange way. Why should Anne-Marie no

r, still-I would not be in her shoes, nor g

so uneasy about the girl that he needs to be cheered with a little joke. And father laughs

A little afraid of her betrothed, perhaps; but in her heart Downie is a little afraid of everybody, and

to her that Maurits really grows to something big. His hat and collar and whiskers stiffen, and the bow of his necktie swells. His voice gr

she understands clearly what this journey means to him. Does she think it is only a pleasure trip along the country road? Thirty miles in a good chaise with her betr

o bed; and by a long succession of anxious dreams through the night, and with prayers, and with tears! But she pretends

s father was not at all in favor of it. And his mother! He hardly dared to think of what a fuss she had made when Maurits had informed her that h

id not have such liberal views as he. If Maurits had not had his rich uncle, it could never have come to anything;

to his wisdom. But she is content in her thoughts! How sensible Maurits is! And when he speaks

perhaps might be not quite the same as when they sat at home with her m

even smelting-furnaces, and farms and houses besides, and mines and stocks. To all these Maurits is the proper heir. But Uncle Theodore is a lit

he is a confirmed old bachelor-thinks women are only a bother. The most important thing is that he shall not dislike her too much. Maurits will take care of the rest. But she must not be silly. Is she crying-! Oh, if she does not look better by the time they arrive, Uncle will send them off inside of a minute. She is glad for their sakes that Uncle is not as clever as Maurits

ut he was none the less cheerful. And heedless!-the burgomaster had sent by Maurits some shares in an undertaking that was not prosperous; but Uncle would buy them of him, Maurits had said. Uncle did not care where he threw hi

nd thus they talked w

nd hammering, on the slope of the mountain, looking over a wide view of lakes and long hills. It was a stately building, with

es and elms. Then they drove between two low, thick

m. Downie never could have believed that Maurits would have prepared such a reception for her. Her heart grew light

eyes, although she was smiling. And of course they all had to like her from the very first moment, if only for her way of looking at Maurits. For she thought that they were all there for his sake, and she had to turn her eyes awa

s his manner compared to Maurits's. He only helped her down from the carriage, and took her shawl and hat like a footman, while Maurits lifted his hat from his white brow and said: "Thank you, my children!" No, the ironmaster certainly had no manners; for as he profited by his r

d a ball, but to-day you young people must rest after your jo

shut in. Five minutes later he is rolling down the avenue in his big carriage, and the coachman is driving so that the horses seem to

And she takes Anne-Marie and embraces her, but Maurits she gr

sant old lady has come. She and the ironmaster

e-Marie has come into her little room, som

with his stick. But Maurits will persuade him fast enough that the best thing for him to do is to give Maurits a position as manager of one of his steel-works, if he does not care to give him the works outright.

t she is sitting there; but as they do not mind it, no one can ask that she shall no

r Uncle Theodore has seized Maurits, crushed his ruffle, and is shaking him till he twists like an eel. Then he slings him from him with such force that Maurit

and fight him. He only looks calmly superior, merely innocently surprised. She understands that he contr

ther, then; she could have done her son that service. Yes, if she had been too haughty they had better have stayed where they were. What would they have done if his old lady had not been able to come? And how could a betrothed couple travel alone through the country?-Really, Maurits was not dangerous. No, that he had never believed, but people's tongues are dangerous.-Well, and finally it was that chaise! Had Maurits

ing she would have said to defend Maurits. Then she falls asl

od on a mo

loud and wo

s you, His

s all in Ea

as his

me was

f asleep, she confuses the dog "What" with Maurits and she thinks that the dog has his white fore