A quarter of an hour later her father came up. She flung her arms round his neck and said, “I can’t!”
“Eh? No, no. But you must come down again and dance; they’re asking after you. And what have you been saying to Rolandsen? He’s changed so all in a moment. Have you been rude to him again?”
“Oh no, no, I wasn’t rude to him....”
“Because if you were, you’ll have to put it right at once. He’s leaving at twelve o’clock to-night.”
“Leaving at twelve!” Elise was ready in a moment, and said, “I’m coming down at once.”
She went downstairs, and found Captain Henriksen.
“I can’t,” said she.
He made no answer.
“I dare say it’s so much the worse for me, but I simply can’t.”
“Very well, then,” was all he said.