"Had Jörgen Thiis anything to do with it?"
Mary gave her a look.
"Ah! that is what I feared. But remember, my child, that he has loved you since the first time he saw you—you, and no one else. That means a great deal. And never once so much as hinted it to you—has he?"
Mary shook her head.
"It's no small thing, that either. It shows strength of character. He has served you and he has honoured you—don't be too hard on him. Not till now, when you are poor, does he dare—but what was it?"
Mary waited a little; then she said:
"First I thought he was ill. Then he suddenly lost his senses."
"Oh, I could tell you something. I too.... Yes, yes, yes!" She seemed lost in thought. Then she murmured: "Those who go for years...."
But Mary cut her short. "Don't let us talk any more about it," she said, rising.
"No. Only it is...."