The bishop embarked immediately on descending the mountain. His considerate eye saw at a glance that there was necessarily much confusion at the farm, and that his further presence would be an inconvenience. So he bade his host and the neighbours farewell for a short time, desiring them not to fail to meet him again at the church on his summons.
The kindness of the neighbours did not cease when danger from the enemy was over. Some offered boats for the wedding procession, several sent gilt paper to adorn the bridal crown which Orga and Frolich were making, and some yielded a more important assistance still. They put trusty persons into the seater, and over the herd, for two days, so that all Erlingsen's household might be at the wedding. Stiorna preferred making butter, and gazing southwards, to attending the wedding of Hund's rival; but every one else was glad to go. Nobody would have thought of urging Peder's presence, but he chose to do his part—(a part which no one could discharge so well)—singing bridal songs in the leading boat.
The summons arrived quite as soon as it could have been looked for, and the next day there was as pretty a boat-procession on the still waters of the fiord as had ever before glided over its surface. Within the memory of man, no bride had been prettier—no crown more glittering—no bridegroom more happy—no chanting was ever more soothing than old Peder's—no clarionet better played than Oddo's—no bridesmaids more gay and kindly than Orga and Frolich. The neighbours were hearty in their cheers as the boats put off and the cheers were repeated from every settlement in the coves and on the heights of the fiord, and were again taken up by the echoes till the summer air seemed to be full of gladness.
To conclude, the bishop was punctual, and kindly in his welcome of Erica to the altar. He was also graciously pleased with Rolf's explanation that he had not ventured to bring a gift for so great a dignitary, but that he hoped the bishop would approve of his giving his humble offering to the church instead. The six sides of the new pulpit were nearly finished now, and Rolf desired to take upon himself the carving of the basement as his marriage-fee. As the bishop smiled approbation, M. Kollsen bowed acquiescence, and Rolf found himself in prospect of indoor work for some time to come.
Erica carried home in her heart, and kept there for ever, certain words of the Bishop's address which he uttered with his eye kindly fixed upon hers. "Go, and abide under the shadow of the Almighty. So shall you not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day, nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noon-day. When you shall have made the Lord your habitation, you shall not fear that evil may befall you, or that any plague shall come nigh your dwelling. Go, and peace be on your house!"
THE TEMPLE PRESS, PRINTERS, LETCHWORTH