Then he conducted him to one of the two beds that stood in a transverse niche at the end of the room, and called three times: “Karine, Karine, Karine!” after which he drew aside an old stained leather curtain, and disclosed to view an angular form, and a face of alarming pallor.
It was an aged and feeble woman, who seemed to have great difficulty in waking, and who, with the danneman’s assistance, raised herself in the bed, so that she might look at Christian. At the same time, the danneman repeated his warning:
“Don’t be afraid!”
“It is my sister,” he added, “whom you may have heard spoken of; a famous seeress, a vala of the old times.”
The old woman, whose profound slumber had not been disturbed by the noise of the breakfast and conversation, seemed trying to collect her ideas. Her livid face was calm and gentle. She held out her hand, and the danneman placed that of Christian in it; but she withdrew hers instantly with a sort of terror, and said in Swedish:
“Mon Dieu! what is the matter? Is it you, Monsieur Baron? Pardon me for not rising. I have had so much fatigue in my poor life!”
“You are mistaken, my good woman,” replied Christian, “you do not know me; I am not the baron.”
The danneman addressed his sister in Dalecarlian, and probably to the same effect, for she replied in Swedish:
“I know that you are deceiving me; that is the great iarl! What does he want in our house? Will he not let her sleep who has watched so long?”
“Do not pay any attention to her,” said the danneman, addressing Christian; “her mind is still asleep, and she continues her dream. Soon, she will speak sensibly.”