But when Gertrude saw Ingmar she suddenly stiffened, her eyebrows contracted, and between her eyes there appeared the shadow of a wrinkle. He saw at once that she did not like his being there, and it cut him to the quick. "They want to take her from me," he thought; "they have already taken her from me." The feeling of Sabbath peace vanished, and the old fear and anxiety returned. Waving all ceremony, he asked Gertrude if it was true that she intended to join Hellgum and his followers. She answered that it was. Then Ingmar asked her if she had considered that the Hellgumists would not allow her to associate with persons who did not think as they did. Gertrude quietly answered that she had carefully considered this matter.
"Have you the consent of your father and mother?" asked Ingmar.
"No," she replied; "they know nothing as yet."
"But, Gertrude—"
"Hush, Ingmar! I must do this to find peace. God compels me."
"No," he cried, "not God, but—"
Gertrude suddenly turned toward him.
Then Ingmar told her that he would never join the Hellgumists. "If you go over to them, that will part us for ever."
Gertrude looked at him as much as to say that she did not see how this could affect her.
"Don't do it, Gertrude!" he implored.