Well, Heaven forgive us, I suppose it can’t be helped, Miss. Ah, well, well, well! But I certainly don’t think the Pastor’s behaving handsome-like. Mortensgård had some excuse; for her husband was alive, so that they two couldn’t marry, however much they wanted to. But as for the Pastor—h’m!

Rebecca.

[With a faint smile.] Could you have believed such a thing of Pastor Rosmer and me?

Madam Helseth.

No, never in this world. At least, I mean—not until to-day.

Rebecca.

But to-day, then——?

Madam Helseth.

Well,—after all the horrible things that they tell me the papers are saying about the Pastor——

Rebecca.