"She is in the east room."
"Tell her to come in."
"She says she wants to see you alone."
"All right. Good night then, mother. Pleasant dreams to you."
Henrik found Marie sitting by the open window looking over the tops of the shrubbery in the garden. The light from the setting sun bathed her in its glow, increasing the beauty of an already beautiful face. Henrik stepped up behind the girl and placed his hands under her chin. She did not turn her head.
"This is a surprise," he said, "but I am so glad to see you. Did you have a pleasant time at Skarpen?"
There was no reply. The young woman still surveyed the garden and the darkening shadows on the lawn.
"What is the matter, little girl?" he asked. He felt the trembling of her chin as she removed his hands.
"No," she replied, "I did not have a good time."
"I'm sorry. What was wrong?"