"Your grateful
"Mary Krog."
Whilst she was despatching this letter she heard a carriage drive up, and presently a card was brought in to her, on which she read: "Dr. Margrete Röy."
It was a little time before Miss Röy came in. She had been taking off her wraps. It was a cold day. The delay increased Mary's excitement, with the result that she trembled and turned pale as the tall, strong woman with the kind eyes entered the room. She saw the impression made by this on the kind eyes, which now poured forth all their compassion upon her. As if they had known each other for many years, Mary went up to her visitor, laid her head on her shoulder, and wept. Margrete Röy pressed the unhappy girl affectionately to her breast.
After they had seated themselves, she told her errand, which was to inquire when Mary intended to go abroad. Mary asked in surprise: "Have I spoken to any one about that?"
Miss Röy said that she had heard it from the nurse.
"Oh!" said Mary, "I have no idea what I said in the state I was in at that time. I have certainly given the matter no thought since."
"Then you are not going abroad?"
Mary sat silent for a moment. "All I can say is that I don't know. I have not yet made any plans."
Margrete Röy was embarrassed. Mary saw this, or rather felt it. "You also have perhaps had thoughts of travelling!" she said.