\"Butwhatofyourfriend，Arnfinn？\"exclaimedInga，assheranupthestairsofthepier。\"Heofwhomyouhavewrittensomuch。
Ihavebeenbusyallthemorningmakingtheblueguest—chamberreadyforhim。\"
\"Please，cousin，\"answeredthestudent，inatoneofmockentreaty，\"onlyanhour’srespite！
IfwearetotalkaboutStrandwemustmakeadayofit，youknow。Andjustnowitseemssograndtobeathome，andwithyou，thatI
wouldrathernotadmitevensogenialasubjectasStrandtosharemyselfishhappiness。\"
\"Ah，yes，youareright。Happinessistoooftenselfish。Buttellmeonlywhyhedidn’tcomeandI’llreleaseyou。\"
\"HeIScoming。\"
\"Ah！Andwhen？\"
\"ThatIdon’tknow。Hepreferredtotakethejourneyonfoot，andhemaybehereatalmostanytime。But，asIhavetoldyou，heisveryuncertain。Ifheshouldhappentomaketheacquaintanceofsomeinterestingsnipe，orcrane，orplover，hemaypreferitscompanytoours，andthenthereisnocountingonhimanylonger。HemaybeaslikelytoturnupattheNorthPoleasattheGranParsonage。\"
\"Howverysingular。Youdon’tknowhowcuriousIamtoseehim。\"
AndIngawalkedoninsilenceunderthesunnybircheswhichgrewalongtheroad，tryingvainlytopicturetoherselfthisstrangephenomenonofaman。
\"Ibroughthisbook，\"remarkedArnfinn，makingagiganticefforttobegenerous，forhefeltdimstirringsofjealousywithinhim。\"Ifyoucaretoreadit，IthinkitwillexplainhimtoyoubetterthananythingIcouldsay。\"
II。
TheOddsonswerecertainlyahappyfamilythoughnotbyanymeansaharmoniousone。
Theexcellentpastor，whowashimselfneutrallygood，orthodox，andkind—hearted，hadoften，intheprivacyofhisownthought，wonderedwhathiddenancestralinfluencestheremighthavebeenatworkingivingamansopeaceableandinoffensiveashimselftwodaughtersofsuchstronglydefinedindividuality。TherewasAugusta，theelder，whowaswhatArnfinncalled\"indiscriminatelyreformatory，\"andhadauniversaldesiretoimproveeverything，fromtheGovernmentdowntoagriculturalimplementsandpreservejars。Aslongasshewascontenttoexpendthesurplusenergy，whichseemedtoaccumulatewithinherthroughthelongeventlesswinters，upontheZuluMission，andotherlegitimateobjects，thepastorthoughtitallharmlessenough;although，tobesure，herenthusiasmforthosenakedandhowlingsavagesdidattimesstrikehimasbeingsomewhatextravagant。Butwhenoccasionally，inherowninnocentway，sheputbothhispatienceandhisorthodoxytothetestbyherexceedinglypuzzlingquestions，thenhecouldnot，inthedepthofhisheart，restrainthewishthatshemighthavebeenmorelikeotheryounggirls，andlessardentlysolicitousaboutthefateofherkind。
Affectionateandindulgent，however，asthepastorwas，hewouldoften，inthenextmoment，dopenanceforhisunregeneratethought，andthankGodforhavingmadehersofairtobehold，sopure，andsonoble—hearted。
TowardArnfinn，Augustahad，althoughofhisownage，earlyassumedakindofelder—sisterlyrelation;shehadbeenhiscomforterduringallthetrialsofhisboyhood;hadyieldedhimhersympathywiththateagerimpulsewhichlaysodeepinhernature，andhadfeltforlornwhenlifehadcalledhimawaytowhereherwordsofcomfortcouldnotreachhim。Butwhenonceshehadhintedthistoherfather，hehadpedanticallyconvincedherthatherfeelingwasunchristian，andIngahadplayfullyremarkedthatthehopethatsomeonemightsoonfindtheopenPolarSeawouldgofartowardconsolingherforherloss;forAugustahadgloriousvisionsatthattimeoftheopenPolarSea。
Now，thePolarSea，andmanyotherthings，farneareranddearer，hadbeenforcedintouneasyforgetfulness;andArnfinnwasoncemorewithher，nolongerachild，andnolongerappealingtoherforaidandsympathy;manenough，ap—
parently，tohaveoutgrownhisboyishneedsandstillboyenoughtobeashamedofhavingeverhadthem。
ItwasthethirdSundayafterArnfinn’sreturn。HeandAugustawereclimbingthehillsidetothe\"Giant’sHood，\"fromwhencetheyhadawideviewofthefjord，andcouldseethesuntrailingitslongbridgeofflameuponthewater。ItwasInga’sweekinthekitchen，thereforehersisterwasArnfinn’scompanion。
Astheyreachedthecrestofthe\"Hood，\"
Augustaseatedherselfonaflatbowlder，andtheyoungstudentflunghimselfonapatchofgreenswardatherfeet。Theintenselightofthelatesunfelluponthegirl’sunconsciousface，andArnfinnlay，gazingupintoit，andwonderingatitsrarebeauty;buthesawonlythecleancutofitsfeaturesandthepurityofitsform，beingtooshallowtorecognizethestrongandheroicsoulwhichhadstruggledsolongforutteranceinthelifeofwhichhehadbeenablindandunmindfulwitness。
\"Gracious，howbeautifulyouare，cousin！\"
hebrokeforth，heedlessly，strikinghislegwithhisslendercane;\"pityyouwerenotbornaqueen;youwouldbeequaltoalmostanything，evenifitweretodiscoverthePolarSea。\"
\"Ithoughtyouwerelookingatthesun，Arnfinn，\"answeredshe，smilingreluctantly。
\"AndsoIam，cousin，\"laughedhe，withanother—emphaticslapofhisboot。
\"Thatcomplimentisratherstale。\"
\"Buttheopportunitywastootempting。\"
\"Nevermind，Iwillexcuseyoufromfurtherefforts。Turnaroundandnoticethatwonderfulpurplehalowhichishoveringovertheforestsbelow。Isn’titglorious？\"
\"No，don’tletusbesolemn，pray。ThesunI
haveseenathousandtimesbefore，butyouI
haveseenveryseldomoflate。Somehow，sinceIreturnedthistime，youseemtokeepmeatadistance。Younolongerconfidetomeyourgreatplansfortheabolishmentofwar，andtheimprovementofmankindgenerally。Whydon’tyoutellmewhetheryouhaveasyetsucceededinconvincingthepeasantsthatcleanlinessisacardinalvirtue，thathawthornhedgesaremorepicturesquethanrailfences，andthatsaltmeatisaveryindigestiblearticle？\"
\"Youknowthefateofmyreforms，fromlongexperience，\"sheanswered，withthesamesad，sweetsmile。\"Iamafraidtheremustbesomethingradicallywrongaboutmymethods;and，moreover，Iknowthatyouraspirationsandminearenolongerthesame，iftheyeverhavebeen，andIamnotungenerousenoughtoforceyoutofeignaninterestwhichyoudonotfeel。\"
\"Yes，Iknowyouthinkmeflippantandboyish，\"retortedhe，withsuddenenergy，andtossingastonedownintothegulfbelow。
\"But，bytheway，myfriendStrand，ifheevercomes，wouldbejustthemanforyou。Hehasquiteasmanyhobbiesasyouhave，and，whatismore，hehasaprofoundrespectforhobbiesingeneral，andisuniversallycharitabletowardthoseofothers。\"
\"Yourfriendisagreatman，\"saidthegirl，earnestly。\"Ihavereadhisbookon`TheWadingBirdsoftheNorwegianHighlands，’
andnonebutagreatmancouldhavewrittenit。\"
\"Heisanoddstick，but，forallthat，acapitalfellow;andIhavenodoubtyouwouldgetonadmirablywithhim。\"
Atthismomenttheconversationwasinterruptedbytheappearanceofthepastor’sman，Hans，whocametotellthe\"youngmiss\"thattherewasabigtramphoveringaboutthebarnsinthe\"out—fields，\"wherehehadbeensleepingduringthelastthreenights。Hewasadangerouscharacter，Hansthought，atleastjudgingfromhislooks，anditwashardlysafefortheyoungmisstoberoamingaboutthefieldsatnightaslongashewasintheneighborhood。
\"Whydon’tyouspeaktothepastor，andhavehimarrested？\"saidArnfinn，impatientofHans’slong—windedrecital。
\"No，no，saynothingtofather，\"demandedAugusta，eagerly。\"Whyshouldyouarrestapoormanaslongashedoesnothingworsethansleepinthebarnsintheout—fields？\"
\"Asyousay，miss，\"retortedHans，anddeparted。
Themooncameuppaleandmist—likeovertheeasternmountainridges，struggledforafewbriefmomentsfeeblywiththesunlight，andthenvanished。
\"Itisstrange，\"saidArnfinn，\"howeverythingremindsmeofStrandto—night。Whatgloriouslyabsurdapostrophestothemoonhecouldmake！Ihavenottoldyou，cousin，ofaverysingulargiftwhichhepossesses。Hecanattractallkindsofbirdsandwildanimalstohimself;hecanimitatetheirvoices，andtheyflockaroundhim，asifhewereoneofthem，withoutfearofharm。\"
\"Howdelightful，\"criedAugusta，withsuddenanimation。\"Whatagloriousmanyourfriendmustbe！\"
\"Becausethesnipesandthewildduckslikehim？
Youseemtohavegreaterconfidenceintheirjudgmentthaninmine。\"
\"OfcourseIhave——atleastaslongasyoupersistinjoking。But，jestingaside，whatawondrouslybeautifullifehemustleadwhomNaturetakesthusintoherconfidence;whohas，asitwere，aninnerandsubtlersense，correspondingtoeachgrosserandexternalone;whoiskeen—sightedenoughtoreadthecharacterofeveryindividualbeast，andhasearssensitivetothefullpathosofjoyorsorrowinthesongofthebirdsthatinhabitourwoodlands。\"
\"Whetherhehasanysuchsecondsetofsensesasyouspeakof，Idon’tknow;buttherecanbenodoubtthathisfamiliarity，nottosayintimacy，withbirdsandbeastsgiveshimagreatadvantageasanaturalist。IsupposeyouknowthathislittlebookhasbeentranslatedintoFrench，andrewardedwiththegoldmedaloftheAcademy。\"
\"Hush！Whatisthat？\"Augustasprangup，andheldherhandtoherear。
\"Somelove—lornmountain—cockplayingyonderinthepinecopse，\"suggestedArnfinn，amusedathiscousin’seagerness。
\"Yousillyboy！Don’tyouknowthemountain—
cockneverplaysexceptatsunrise？\"
\"Hewouldhaveasorrytimeofitnow，then，whenthereISnosunrise。\"
\"Andsohehas;hedoesnotplayexceptinearlyspring。\"
Thenoise，atfirstfaint，nowgrewlouder。Itbeganwithaseriesofmellow，plaintiveclucksthatfollowedthicklyoneuponanother，likesmoothpearlsofsoundthatrolledthroughthethroatinacontinuouscurrent;thencameafewsharpnotesasofalargebirdthatsnapshisbill;thenalong，half—melodiousrumbling，intermingledwithcacklingsandsnaps，andatlast，asortofdiminuendomovementofthesameround，pearlyclucks。Therewasawhizzingofwing—beatsintheair;twolargebirdssweptovertheirheadsandstruckdownintothecopsewhencethesoundhadissued。
\"Thisisindeedamostsingularthing，\"saidAugusta，underherbreath，andwithwide—eyedwonder。
\"Letusgonearer，andseewhatitcanbe。\"
\"IamsureIcangoifyoucan，\"respondedArnfinn，notanytooeagerly。\"Givemeyourhand，andwecanclimbthebetter。\"
Astheyapproachedthepinecopse，whichprojectedlikeapromontoryfromthelineofthedenserforest，thenoiseceased，andonlytheplaintivewhistlingofamountain—hen，callingherscatteredyoungtogether，andnowandthentheshrillresponseofasnipetothecryofitslonelymate，felluponthesummernight，notasaninterruption，butasanoutgrowthoftheverysilence。Augustastolewithsoundlesstreadthroughthetransparentgloomwhichlingeredunderthosehugeblackcrowns，andArnfinnfollowedimpatientlyafter。Suddenlyshemotionedtohimtostandstill，andherselfbentforwardinanattitudeofsurpriseandeagerobservation。
Ontheground，somefiftystepsfromwhereshewasstationed，shesawamanstretchedoutfulllength，withaknapsackunderhishead，andsurroundedbyaflockofdowny，half—grownbirds，whichrespondedwithalow，anxiouspipingtohisalluringcluck，thenscatteredwithsuddenalarm，onlytoreturnagaininthesamecurious，cautiousfashionasbefore。
Nowandthentherewasagreatflappingofwingsinthetreesoverhead，andaheavybrownandblackspeckledmountain—henalightedclosetotheman’shead，stretchedouthernecktowardhim，cockedherhead，calledherscatteredbroodtogether，anddepartedwithslowanddeliberatewing—beats。
Againtherewasafrightenedflutterover—
head，ashrillanxiouswhistleroseintheair，andallwassilence。Augustahadsteppedonadrybranch——ithadbrokenunderherweight——
hencethesuddenconfusionandflight。Theunknownmanhadsprungup，andhiseye，afteramoment’ssearch，hadfoundthedark，beautifulfacepeeringforthbehindtheredfir—trunk。
Hedidnotspeakorsaluteher;hegreetedherwithsilentjoy，asonegreetsawondrousvisionwhichistoofrailandbrightforconsciousnesstograsp，whichislosttheveryinstantoneisconsciousofseeing。But，whiletothegirlthesight，asitwere，hungtremblingintherangeofmerephysicalperception，whileitssuddennesshelditalooffrommoralreflection，therecameagreatshoutfrombehind，andArnfinn，whominhersurpriseshehadquiteforgotten，cameboundingforward，graspingthestrangerbythehandwithmuchvigor，laughingheartily，andpouringforthaconfusedstreamofdelightedinterjections，borrowedfromallmannerofclassicalandunclassicaltongues。
\"Strand！Strand！\"hecried，whenthefirsttumultofexcitementhadsubsided;\"youmostmarvelousandincomprehensibleStrand！Fromwhatregionofheavenorearthdidyoujumpdownintoourprosaicneighborhood？Andwhatintheworldpossessedyoutochooseourbarnsasthecentreofyouroperations，andnearlyputmetothenecessityofhavingyouarrestedforvagrancy？HowIdoregretthatCousinAugusta’sentreatiesmollifiedmyhearttowardyou。Pardonme，Ihavenotintroducedyou。Thisismycousin，MissOddson，andthisismymiraculousfriend，theworld—renownedauthor，vagrant，andnaturalist，Mr。MarcusStrand。\"
Strandsteppedforward，madeadeepbutsomewhatawkwardbow，andwasdimlyawarethatasmallsofthandwasextendedtohim，and，inthenextmoment，wasenclosedinhisownbroadandvoluminouspalm。Hegraspeditfirmly，and，inoneofthoseprofoundabstractionsintowhichhewasapttofallwhenundertheswayofastrongimpression，presseditwithincreasingcordiality，whileheendeavoredtofindfittinganswerstoArnfinn’smultifariousquestions。
\"Totellthetruth，Vording，\"hesaid，inadeep，full—ringingbass，\"Ididn’tknowthatthesewereyourcousin’sbarns——Imeanthatyouruncle\"——givingtheunhappyhandanemphaticshake——\"inhabitedthesebarns。\"
\"No，thankheaven，wearenotquitereducedtothat，\"criedArnfinn，gayly;\"westillboastaparsonage，asyouwillpresentlydiscover，andaverybrightandcozyone，toboot。But，whateveryoudo，havethegoodnesstoreleaseAugusta’shand。Don’tyouseehowdesperatelysheisstruggling，poorthing？\"
Stranddroppedthehandasifithadbeenahotcoal，blushedtotheedgeofhishair，andmadeanotherprofoundreverence。Hewasatall，huge—limbedyouth，withaframeofgiganticmold，andalarge，blonde，shaggyhead，likethatofsomegood—naturedantediluviananimal，whichmightfeelthedisadvantagesofitssizeamidthepunybeingsofthislaterstageofcreation。Therewasafrankdirectnessinhisgaze，andanunconsciousnessofself，whichmadehimverywinning，andwhichcouldnotfailofitseffectuponagirlwho，likeAugusta，wasfondoftheuncommon，andhatedsmooth，facileandwell—tailoredyoungmen，withthelabelsofsocietyandfashionupontheircoats，theirmustaches，andtheirspeech。AndStrand，withhislargesun—burnedface，hiswild—growingbeard，bluewoolenshirt，topboots，andunkemptappearancegenerally，wasasufficientlystartlingphenomenontosatisfyevensoexactingafancyashers;for，afterreadinghisbookabouttheWadingBirds，shehadmadeuphermindthathemusthavefewpointsofresemblancetothemenwhohadhithertoformedpartofherownsmallworld，althoughshehadnotuntilnowdecidedjustinwhatwayhewastodiffer。
\"SupposeIhelpyoucarryyourknapsack，\"
saidArnfinn，whowasflittingaboutlikeasmallnimblespanieltryingtomakefriendswithsomelarge，good—naturedNewfoundland。\"Youmustbeverytired，havingroamedaboutinthisQuixoticfashion！\"
\"No，Ithankyou，\"respondedStrand，withanincredulouslaugh，glancingalternatelyfromArnfinntotheknapsack，asifestimatingtheirproportionateweight。\"IamafraidyouwouldrueyourbargainifIacceptedit。\"
\"Isupposeyouhaveagreatmanystuffedbirdsathome，\"remarkedthegirl，lookingwithself—forgetfuladmirationatthelargebrawnyfigure。
\"No，Ihavehardlyany，\"answeredhe，seatinghimselfontheground，andpullingathicknote—bookfromhispocket。\"Ipreferlivecreatures。Theiranatomicalandphysiologicalpeculiaritieshavebeenstudiedbyothers，andvolumeshavebeenwrittenaboutthem。Itistheirpsychologicaltraits，iiyouwillallowtheexpression，whichinterestme，andthoseIcanonlygetatwhiletheyarealive。\"
\"Howdelightful！\"
SomeminuteslatertheywereallontheirwaytotheParsonage。Thesun，inspiteofitsmid—
summerwakefulness，wasgettingred—eyedanddrowsy，andthepurplemistswhichhunginscatteredfragmentsupontheforestbelowhadlostsomethingoftheirdeep—tingedbrilliancy。
ButAugusta，quiteblindtotheweakenedlighteffects，lookedoutuponthebroadlandscapeinecstasy，and，appealingtohermoreapatheticcompanions，invitedthemtoshareherjoyatthebeautyofthefaint—flushedsummernight。
\"Youaregettingquitedithyrambic，mydear，\"remarkedArnfinn，withanairofcousinlysuperiority，whichhefeltwaseminentlybecomingtohim;andAugustalookedupwithquicksurprise，thensmiledinanabsentway，andforgotwhatshehadbeensaying。Shehadnosuspicionbutthatherenthusiasmhadbeenallforthesunset。
III。
InalifesooutwardlybarrenandmonotonousasAugusta’s——alifeinwhichthesmallexternaleventsweresofirmlyinterwovenwiththesubtlerthreadsofyearnings，wants，anddesires——theintroductionofsolargeandnovelafactasMarcusStrandwouldnaturallyproducesomeperceptibleresult。Itwasthatdeplorableinwardrestlessnessofhers，shereasoned，whichhadhithertomadeherexistenceseemsoemptyandunsatisfactory;butnowhispresencefilledthehours，andthenewnessofhiswords，hismanner，andhiswholepersonaffordedinexhaustiblematerialforthought。Itwasnowaweeksincehisarrival，andwhileArnfinnandIngachattedatleisure，drewcaricatures，orreadaloudtoeachotherinsomeshadynookofthegarden，sheandStrandwouldroamalongthebeach，fillingthevastuncloudedhorizonwithlargeglowingimagesofthefutureofthehumanrace。Healwayslistenedinsympatheticsilencewhilesheunfoldedtohimheroftenchildishlydaringschemesfortheameliorationofsufferingandtherightingofsocialwrongs;andwhenshehadfinished，andhemettheearnestappealofherdarkeye，therewouldoftenbeapause，duringwhicheach，withahalfunconsciouslapsefromtheimpersonal，wouldfeelmorekeenlythejoyofthisnewanddeliciousmentalcompanionship。Andwhenatlengthheanswered，sometimesgentlyrefutingandsometimesassentingtoherproposition，itwasalwayswithaslow，deliberateearnestness，asifhefeltbutherdeepsincerity，andforgotforthemomenthersex，heryouth，andherinexperience。Itwasjustthiskindoffellowshipforwhichshehadhungeredsolong，andherheartwentoutwithagreatgratitudetowardthisstrongandgenerousman，whowaswillingtorecognizeherhumanity，andtorespondwithanever—readyfrankness，unmixedwithpettysuspicionsandsecondthoughts，totheeagerneedsofherhalf—
starvednature。Itisquitecharacteristic，too，ofthetypeofwomanhoodwhichAugustarepresents（andwithwhichthisbroadcontinentofoursabounds），that，withherhabitualdisregardofappearances，shewouldhavescornedthenotionthattheirintercoursehadanyultimateendbeyondthatofmutualpleasureandinstruction。
ItwasearlyinthemorninginthethirdweekofStrand’sstayattheParsonage。Aheavydewhadfallenduringthenight，andeachtinygrass—bladeglistenedinthesun，bendingundertheweightofitsliquiddiamond。Thebirdswereimprovisingaminiaturesymphonyinthebirchesattheendofthegarden;thesong—
thrushwarbledwithasweetmelancholyhislong—drawncontraltonotes;thelark，likeaprimadonna，hoveringconspicuouslyinmidair，pouredforthherjoyoussopranosolo;andtherobin，quiteunmindfulofthetempo，filledoutthepauseswithhisthoughtlessstaccatochirp。Augusta，whowasherselftheearlybirdofthepastor’sfamily，hadpaidavisittothelittlebath—housedownatthebrook，andwasnowhurryinghomeward，herheavyblackhairconfinedinadelicatemuslinhood，andherlitheformhastilywrappedinaloosemorninggown。
Shehadpausedforamomentunderthebirchestolistentothesongofthelark，whensuddenlyalow，halfarticulatesound，veryunlikethevoiceofabird，arrestedherattention;sheraisedhereyes，andsawStrandsittinginthetopofatree，apparentlyconversingwithhimself，orwithsometinythingwhichheheldinhishands。
\"Ah，yes，youpoorlittlesicklything！\"sheheardhimmutter。\"Don’tyoumakesuchanadonow。Youshallsoonbequitewell，ifyouwillonlymindwhatItellyou。Stop，stop！
Takeiteasy。Itisallforyourowngood，youknow。Ifyouhadonlybeenprudent，andnotsteppedonyourlameleg，youmighthavebeensparedthisaffliction。But，afterall，itwasnotyourfault——itwasthatfoolishlittlemotherofyours。Shewillremembernowthataskeinofhempthreadisnotthethingtolinehernestwith。Ifshedoesn’t，youmaytellherthatitwasIwhosaidso。\"
Augustastoodgazingoninmuteastonishment;
then，suddenlyrememberingherhastytoilet，shestartedtorun;but，aschancewouldhaveit，adrybranch，whichhungratherlow，caughtatherhood，andherhairfellinablackwavystreamdownoverhershoulders。Shegavealittlecry，thetreeshookviolently，andStrandwasatherside。Sheblushedcrimsonoverneckandface，and，inherutterbewilderment，stoodlikeaculpritbeforehim，unabletomove，unabletospeak，andonlyreturningwithasilentbowhiscordialgreeting。Itseemedtoherthatshehadungenerouslyintrudeduponhisprivacy，watchinghim，whilehethoughthimselfunobserved。AndAugustawasquiteunskilledinthosesocialaccomplishmentswhichenableyoungladiestohidetheirinwardemotionsunderashowofpoliteindifference，for，howeverhardshestrove，shecouldnotsuppressaslightquiveringofherlips，andherintenseself—reproachmadeStrand’swordsfalldimlyonherears，andpreventedherfromgatheringthemeaningofwhathewassaying。Heheldinhishandsayoungbirdwithayellowlinealongtheedgeofitsbill（andtherewassomethingbeautifullysoftandtenderinthewaythoselargepalmsofhishandledanylivingthing），andhelookedpityinglyatitwhilehespoke。
\"Themotherofthislittlelinnet，\"hesaid，smiling，\"didwhatmanyfoolishyoungmothersareapttodo。Shetookuponhertheresponsibilityofraisingoffspringwithouthavingacquiredthenecessaryknowledgeofhousekeeping。
Soshelinedhernestwithhemp，andtheconsequencewas，thatherfirst—borngothislegsentangled，andwasobligedtoremaininthenestlongafterhiswingshadreachedtheirfulldevelopment。Isawherfeedinghimaboutaweekago，and，asmycuriositypromptedmetolookintothecase，Ireleasedthelittlecripple，cleansedthedeepwoundwhichthethreadshadcutinhisflesh，andhavesincebeenwatchinghimduringhisconvalescence。Nowheisquiteinafairway，butIhadtoapplysomesalve，andtocutoffthefeathersaboutthewound，andthelittlefoolsquirmedunderthepain，andgrewrebellious。Onlynoticethisscar，ifyouplease，MissOddson，andyoumayimaginewhatthepoorthingmusthavesuffered。\"
Augustagaveastart;shetimidlyraisedhereyes，andsawStrand’sgravegazefixeduponher。Shefeltasifsomeintolerablespellhadcomeoverher，and，asheragitationincreased，herpowerofspeechseemedutterlytodeserther。
\"Ah，youhavenotbeenlisteningtome？\"
saidStrand，inatoneofwonderinginquiry。
\"Pardonmeforpresumingtobelievethatmylittleinvalidcouldbeasinterestingtoyouasheistome。\"
\"Mr。Strand，\"stammeredthegirl，whiletheinvisibletearscamenearchokinghervoice。
\"Mr。Strand——Ididn’tmean——really——\"
Sheknewthatifshesaidanotherwordsheshouldburstintotears。Withaviolenteffort，shegatheredupherwrapper，whichsomehowhadgotunbuttonedattheneck，and，withheedlesslyhurryingsteps，dartedawaytowardthehouse。
Strandstoodlookingafterher，quiteunmindfulofhisfeatheredpatient，whichflewchirpingabouthiminthegrass。TwohourslaterArnfinnfoundhimsittingunderthebircheswithhishandsclaspedoverthetopofhishead，andhissurgicalinstrumentsscatteredonthegroundaroundhim。
\"CorpodiBaccho，\"exclaimedthestudent，stoopingtopickuptheprecioustools;\"haveyoubeenamputatingyourownhead，orisitI
whoamdreaming？\"
\"Ah，\"murmuredStrand，liftingalarge，strangegazeuponhisfriend，\"isityou？\"
\"Whoelseshoulditbe？Icometocallyoutobreakfast。\"
IV。
\"IwonderwhatisupbetweenStrandandAugusta？\"saidArnfinntohiscousinInga。Thequestionerwaslyinginthegrassatherfeet，restinghischinonhispalms，andgazingwithroguishlytendereyesupintoherfresh，bloomingface;butInga，whowasreadingaloudfrom\"DavidCopperfield，\"andwasdeepinthematrimonialtribulationsofthatnoblehero，onlysaid\"hush，\"andcontinuedreading。Arnfinn，afteraminute’ssilence，repeatedhisremark，whereuponhisfaircousinwrenchedhiscaneoutofhishand，andhelditthreateninglyoverhishead。
\"Willyoubeagoodboyandlisten？\"sheexclaimed，playfullyemphasizingeachwordwithalightraponhiscurlypate。
\"Ouch！thathurts，\"criedArnfinn，anddodged。
\"Itwasmeanttohurt，\"repliedInga，withmockseverity，andreturnedto\"Copperfield。\"
Presentlytheseedofacorn—flowerstruckthetipofhernose，andagainthecanewaslifted;
butDora’shousekeepingexperiencesweretooabsorbinglyinteresting，andtheblueeyescouldnotresisttheirfascination。
\"CousinInga，\"saidArnfinn，andthistimewithasnearanapproachtoearnestnessashewascapableofatthatmoment，\"IdobelievethatStrandisinlovewithAugusta。\"
Ingadroppedthebook，andsenthimwhatwasmeanttobeaglanceofsevererebuke，andthensaid，inherownamusinglyemphaticway：
\"Idowishyouwouldn’tjokewithsuchthings，Arnfinn。\"
\"Joke！IndeedIamnotjoking。IwishtoheaventhatIwere。Whatapityitisthatshehastakensuchadisliketohim！\"
\"Dislike！Oh，youareaprofoundphilosopher，youare！Youthinkthatbecausesheavoids——\"
HereIngaabruptlyclappedherhandoverhermouth，and，withsuddenchangeofvoiceandexpression，said：
\"Iamassilentasthegrave。\"
\"Yes，youarewonderfullydiscreet，\"criedArnfinn，laughing，whilethegirlbitherunderlipwithanairofpenitenceandmortificationwhich，inanyotherbosomthanacousin’swouldhavearousedcompassion。
\"Aha！Sosteht’s！\"hebrokeforth，withanotherburstofmerriment;then，softenedbythesightofatearthatwasslowlygatheringbeneathhereyelashes，hecheckedhislaughter，creptuptoherside，andinahalfchildishlycoaxing，halfcaressingtone，hewhispered：
\"Dearlittlecousin，indeedIdidn’tmeantohurtyourfeelings。Youarenotangrywithme，areyou？Andifyouwillonlypromisemenottotell，IhavesomethingherewhichIshouldliketoshowyou。\"
HewellknewthattherewasnothingwhichwouldsoonersootheInga’swraththanconfidingasecrettoher;andwhilehewasaboy，hehad，incasesofsoreneed，inventedsecretslesthislifeshouldbemademiserablebythesensethatshewasdispleasedwithhim。Inthisinstanceherangerwasnotstrongenoughtoresisttheanticipationofasecret，probablyrelatingtothatlittledramawhichhad，duringthelastweeks，beeninprogressunderherveryeyes。
Witharesolutemovement，shebrushedhertearsaway，benteagerlyforward，and，inthenextmoment，herfacewasallexpectancyandanimation。
Arnfinnpulledathickblacknote—bookfromhisbreastpocket，openeditinhislap，andread：
\"August3，5A。M。——Mylittleinvalidisdoingfinely;heseemedtorelishmuchafewdozenflieswhichIbroughthiminmyhand。Hispulseisto—day，forthefirsttime，normal。Heisbeginningtostepontheinjuredlegwithoutapparentpain。
\"10A。M。——MissAugusta’seyeshaveastrange，lustrousbrilliancywhenevershespeaksofsubjectswhichseemtoagitatethedepthsofherbeing。Howandwhyisitthatanexcessiveamountoffeelingalwaysfindsitsfirstexpressionintheeye？Onekindofemotionseemstowidenthepupil，anotherkindtocontractit。TObenoticedinfuture，howparticularemotionsaffecttheeye。
\"6P。M。——Imetaploveronthebeachthisafternoon。Byimitatinghiscry，Iinducedhimtocomewithinafewfeetofme。Theplover，ashiscryindicates，isaverymelancholybird。
InfactIbelievethemelancholytemperamenttobeprevailingamongthewadingbirds，asthephlegmaticamongbirdsofprey。Thesingingbirdsarecholericorsanguine。Teaseathrush，orevenalark，andyouwillsoonbeconvinced。
Asnipe，orplover，asfarasmyexperiencegoes，seldomshowsanger;youcannotteasethem。
Tobeconsidered，howfarthevoiceofabirdmaybeindicativeofitstemperament。
\"August5，9P。M。——Sincetheunfortunatemeetingyesterdaymorning，whenmyintensepre—occupationwithmylinnet，whichhadtornitswoundopenagain，probablymademecommitsomebreachofetiquette，MissAugustaavoidsme。
\"August7——Iaminamostsingularstate。
Mypulsebeats85，whichisamostunheard—ofthingforme，asmypulseisnaturallyfullandslow。And，strangelyenough，Idonotfeelatallunwell。Onthecontrary，myphysicalwell—
beingisratherheightenedthanotherwise。
Thelifeofawholeweekiscrowdedintoaday，andthatofadayintoanhour。\"
Inga，who，atseveralpointsofthisnarrative，hadbeenstrugglinghardtopreservehergravity，hereburstintoaringinglaugh。
\"ThatiswhatIcallscientificlove—making，\"
saidArnfinn，lookingupfromthebookwithanexpressionofsubduedamusement。
\"ButArnfinn，\"criedthegirl，whilethelaughterquicklydiedoutofherface，\"doesMr。
Strandknowthatyouarereadingthis？\"
\"Tobesurehedoes。Andthatisjustwhattomymindmakesthesituationsoexcessivelycomical。Hehashimselfnosuspicionthatthisbookcontainsanythingbutscientificnotes。Heappearstoprefertheempiricmethodinloveasinphilosophy。Iverilybelievethatheisinnocentlyexperimentingwithhimself，withaviewtomakingsomegreatphysiologicaldiscovery。\"
\"Andsohewill，perhaps，\"rejoinedthegirl，themixtureofgayetyandgravesolicitudemakingherface，ashercousinthought，particularlycharming。
\"Onlynotaphysiological，butpossiblyapsychologicalone，\"remarkedArnfinn。\"Butlistentothis。Hereissomethingrich：
\"August9——MissAugustaoncesaidsomethingaboutthepossibilityofanimalsbeingimmortal。
Hereyesshonewithabeautifulanimationasshespoke。Iamlongingtocontinuethesubjectwithher。Ithauntsmethewholedaylong。Theremaybemoreintheideathanappearstoasuperficialobserver。\"
\"Oh，howcharminglyheunderstandshowtodeceivehimself，\"criedInga。
\"Merelyaquidproquo，\"saidArnfinn。
\"IknowwhatIshalldo！\"
\"AndsodoI。\"
\"Won’tyoutellme，please？\"
\"No。\"
\"ThenIsha’n’ttellyoueither。\"
Andtheyflewapartliketwothoughtlesslittlebirds（\"sanguine，\"asStrandwouldhavecalledthem），eachtoponderonsomeformidableplotforthereconciliationoftheestrangedlovers。
V。
Duringtheweekthatensued，themultifarioussub—currentsofStrand’spassionseemedslowlytogatherthemselvesintooneclearlydefinedstream，and，aftermuchscientificspeculation，hecametotheconclusionthathelovedAugusta。Inamomentofextremediscouragement，hemadeacleanbreastofittoArnfinn，atthesametimeinforminghimthathehadpackedhisknapsack，andwouldstartonhiswanderingsagainthenextmorning。Allhisfriend’sentreatieswereinvain;hewouldandmustgo。Strandwasanexasperatinglyhead—
strongfellow，andpersuasionsneverprevailedwithhim。Hehadconfirmedhimselfinthebeliefthathewasveryunattractivetowomen，andthatAugusta，ofallwomen，forsomereasonwhichwasnotquitecleartohim，hatedandabhorredhim。Inexperiencedashewas，hecouldseenoreasonwhysheshouldavoidhim，ifshedidnothatehim。Theysattalkinguntilmid—
night，eachentanglinghimselfinthosepassionateparadoxesandcontradictionspeculiartopassionateandimpulsiveyouth。Strandpacedthefloorwithlargesteps，pouringouthislongpent—upemotioninviolenttiradesofself—
accusationandregret;whileArnfinnsatonthebed，tryingtosoothehisexcitementbyassuringhimthathewasnotsuchamonsteras，forthemoment，hehadbelievedhimselftobe，butonlysucceeding，inspiteofallhisefforts，inpouringoilontheflames。StrandwasscientificallyconvincedthatNature，inaccordancewithsomeinscrutablelawofequilibrium，hadfounditnecessarytomakehimphysicallyunattractive，perhapstoindemnifymankindforthatexcessofintellectualgiftswhich，attheexpenseoftheraceatlarge，shehadbestoweduponhim。
Earlythenextmorning，asakindofetherealizedsunshinebrokethroughthewhitemuslincurtainsofArnfinn’sroom，andlongstreaksofsun—illuminedduststolethroughtheairtowardthesleeper’spillow，therewasasharprapatthedoor，andStrandentered。Hisknapsackwasstrappedoverhisshoulders，hislongstaffwasinhishand，andtherewasanexpressionofconsciousmartyrdominhisfeatures。Arnfinnraisedhimselfonhiselbows，andrubbedhiseyeswithadesperatedeterminationtogetawake，butonlysucceededingainingaverydimimpressionofabeard，abluewoolenshirt，andadisproportionatelylargeshoebuckle。Thefigureadvancedtothebed，extendedabroad，sun—burnedhand，andadeepbassvoicewasheardtosay：
\"Good—bye，brother。\"
Arnfinn，whowasahardsleeper，gaveanotherrub，and，inaquerulouslysleepytone，managedtomutter：
\"Why，——isitaslateasthat——already？\"
Thewordsofpartingweremoreremotelyrepeated，thehandclosedaboutArnfinn’shalf—
unfeelingfingers，thelockonthedoorgavealittlesharpclick，andallwasstill。Butthesunshinedrovethedustinadumb，confuseddancethroughtheroom。
Somefourhourslater，Arnfinnwokeupwithavaguefeelingasifsomegreatcalamityhadhappened;hewasnotsurebutthathehadsleptafortnightormore。Hedressedwithasleepy，recklesshaste，beingbutdimlyconsciousofthelogicofthevariousprocessesofablutionwhichheunderwent。HehurrieduptoStrand’sroom，but，ashehadexpected，founditempty。
Duringalltheafternoon，thereadingof\"DavidCopperfield\"wasinterruptedbyfrequentmutualcondolences，andattimesInga’shandwouldstealuptohereyetobrushawayatreacheroustear。Butthensheonlyreadthefaster，andDavidandAgneswerealreadysafeinthehavenofmatrimonybeforeeithersheorArnfinnwasawarethattheyhadstruggledsuccessfullythroughtheperilousreefsandquick—
sandsofcourtship。
Augustaexcusedherselffromsupper，Inga’sforceddevicesatmerrimentweretootransparent，Arnfinn’stable—talkwasofarambling，incoherentsort，andheanswereddreadfullymalapropos，ifachancewordwasaddressedtohim，andeventhegood—naturedpastorbegan，atlast，togrumble;fortheinmatesoftheGranParsonageseemedtohavebutonelifeandonesoulincommon，andanyindividualdisturbanceimmediatelydisturbedthepeaceandhappinessofthewholehousehold。Nowgloomhad，insomeunaccountablefashion，obscuredthecommonatmosphere。Ingashookhersmallwisehead，andtriedtoextractsomelittleconsolationfromtheconsciousnessthatsheknewatleastsomethingswhichArnfinndidnotknow，andwhichitwouldbeveryunsafetoconfidetohim。
VI。
FourweeksafterStrand’sdeparture，asthesummerhadalreadyassumedthattingeofsadnesswhichimpressesoneasaforebodingofcomingdeath，Augustawaswalkingalongthebeach，watchingtheflightofthesea—birds。Herlatest\"aberration，\"asArnfinncalledit，wasanextraordinaryinterestinthehabitsoftheeider—
ducks，auks，andsea—gulls，thenoisymonotonyofwhoseexistencehad，butafewmonthsago，appearedtoherthesymbolofallthatwasvulgarandcoarseinhumanandanimallife。Nowshehadevenprovidedherselfwithanote—book，and（touseoncemorethelanguageofherunbelievingcousin）affectedahalf—scientificinterestintheirclamorouspursuits。Shehadmademanyvainattemptstoimitatetheirvoicesandtobeguilethemintocloserintimacy，andhadfoundithardattimestosuppressherindignationwhentheypersistedinviewingherinthelightofanintruder，andinreturningheramiableapproacheswithshysuspicion，asiftheydoubtedthesincerityofherintentions。
Shewasalittlepalernow，perhaps，thanbefore，buthereyeshadstillthesamelustrousdepth，andthesamesweetserenitywasstilldiffusedoverherfeatures，andsoftened，likeapervadingtingeofwarmcolor，thegrandsimplicityofherpresence。Shesatdownonalargerock，pickedupacuriouslytwistedshell，andseeingaploverwadinginthesurf，gaveasoft，lowwhistle，whichmadethebirdturnroundandgazeatherwithstartleddistrust。
Sherepeatedthecall，butperhapsalittletooeagerly，andthebirdspreaditswingswithafrightenedcry，andskimmed，halfflying，halfrunning，outovertheglitteringsurfaceofthefjord。Butfromtherocksclosebycamealongmelancholywhistlelikethatofabirdindistress，andthegirlroseandhastenedwitheagerstepstowardthespot。Sheclimbeduponastone，fringedallaroundwithgreenslimysea—
weeds，inordertogainawiderviewofthebeach。Thensuddenlysomehugefigurestartedupbetweentherocksatherfeet;shegavealittlescream，herfootslipped，andinthenextmomentshelay——inStrand’sarms。Heofferednoapology，butsilentlycarriedherovertheslipperystones，anddepositedhertenderlyuponthesmoothwhitesand。Thereitoccurredtoherthathisattentionwasquiteneedless，butatthemomentshewastoostartledtomakeanyremonstrance。
\"Buthowintheworld，Mr。Strand，didyoucomehere？\"shemanagedatlasttostammer。
\"Weallthoughtthatyouhadgoneaway。\"
\"Ihardlyknowmyself，\"saidStrand，inabeseechingundertone，quitedifferentfromhisusualconfidentbass。\"Ionlyknowthat——thatIwasverywretched，andthatIhadtocomeback。\"
Thentherewasapause，whichtobothseemedquiteinterminable，and，inordertofillitoutinsomeway，Strandbegantomovehisheadandarmsuneasily，andatlengthseatedhimselfatAugusta’sside。Thebloodwasbeatingwithfeverishvehemenceinhertemples，andforthefirsttimeinherlifeshefeltsomethingakintopityforthislarge，strongman，whosestrengthandcheerfulself—reliancehadhithertoseemedtoraisehimabovetheneedofawoman’saidandsympathy。Nowtheveryshabbinessofhisappearance，andthelookofappealingmiseryinhisfeatures，openedinherbosomthegatethroughwhichcompassioncouldenter，and，withthatgenerousself—forgetfulnesswhichwasthechieffactorofhercharacter，sheleanedovertowardhim，andsaid：
\"Youmusthavebeenverysick，Mr。Strand。
Whydidyounotcometousandallowustotakecareofyou，insteadofroamingabouthereinthisstonywilderness？\"
\"Yes;Ihavebeensick，\"criedStrand，withsuddenvehemence，seizingherhand;\"butitisasicknessofwhichIshallnever，neverbehealed。\"
Andwiththatworld—oldeloquencewhichisyetevernew，hepouredforthhispassionateconfessioninherear，andshelistened，hungrilyatfirst，thenwithserene，wide—eyedhappiness。
Hetoldherhow，drivenbyhisinwardrestlessness，hehadwanderedaboutinthemountains，untiloneeveningatasaeter，hehadheardapeasantladsingingasong，inwhichthisstanzaoccurred：
\"Awoman’sfrown，awoman’ssmile，Norhatenorfondnessprove;
Formaidenssmileonhimtheyhate，Andflyfromhimtheylove。\"