"What do you mean?"
"That was Oscar Stephenson."
"Margret Neilson, you are mad. Oscar Stephenson is dead."
"Then he came to life again. That is Oscar Stephenson as sure as I'm a living woman!"
VII
Christian Christiansson left the Factor's house glowing with excitement. Oh, for the hour when he could lay aside the armor of duplicity! When he could say to his own people, "I am Oscar Stephenson. Let the world think me Christian Christiansson, but at least you must know me for who I am."
It was necessary and inevitable that he should reveal himself to his own family! How else could he carry out the plan he had formed of buying the farm at the auction to-morrow morning and giving it back to his brother? And how, except by right of blood, by right of parentage, could he claim the child and take her away with him when he returned to England?
In this mood he went back to Government House and announced his intention of going on to Thingvellir.
"Thingvellir!" said the Minister. "It's only natural, sir, that you should wish to see our great historic meeting-place, the scene of so many of our Sagas. But why go there to-day? It isn't every day the old town is alive, but this is the last of the year, you know, and before midnight we shall have many interesting ceremonies. Why not stay until to-morrow, and then I shall be happy to go with you?"
"I have a particular reason for wishing to go to-day," said Christian Christiansson.