“And yet, what can he do for us?” replied Joel.

What could there have been in Dame Hansen’s past that she was unwilling to confide to her children?  What foolish pride prevented her from revealing to them the cause of her disquietude?  Had she any real cause to reproach herself?  And on the other hand, why did she endeavor to influence her daughter in regard to Ole Kamp’s ticket, and the price that was to be set upon it?  Why did she seem so eager to dispose of it, or rather, to secure the money that had been offered for it?  Hulda and Joel were about to learn.

On the morning of the 4th Joel escorted his sister to the little chapel where she went every morning to pray for the lost one.  Her brother always waited for her, and accompanied her back to the house.

That day, on returning, they both perceived Dame Hansen in the distance, walking rapidly in the direction of the inn.  She was not alone.  A man was walking beside her—­a man who seemed to be talking in a loud voice, and whose gestures were vehement and imperious.

Hulda and her brother both paused suddenly.

“Who is that man?” inquired Joel.

Hulda advanced a few steps.

“I know him,” she said at last.

“You know him?”

“Yes, it is Sandgoist.”

“Sandgoist, of Drammen, who came here during my absence?”

“Yes.”

“And who acted in such a lordly way that he would seem to have mother, and us, too, perhaps, in his power?”

“The same, brother; and he has probably come to make us feel his power to-day.”

“What power?  This time I will know the object of his visit.”

Joel controlled himself, though not without an evident effort, and followed his sister.

In a few moments Dame Hansen and Sandgoist reached the door of the inn.  Sandgoist crossed the threshold first; then the door closed upon Dame Hansen and upon him, and both of them entered the large parlor.

As Joel and Hulda approached the house the threatening voice of Sandgoist became distinctly audible.  They paused and listened; Dame Hansen was speaking now, but in entreating tones.

“Let us go in,” remarked Joel.

Hulda entered with a heavy heart; Joel was trembling with suppressed anger and impatience.

Sandgoist sat enthroned in the big arm-chair.  He did not even take the trouble to rise on the entrance of the brother and sister.  He merely turned his head and stared at them over his spectacles.

“Ah! here is the charming Hulda, if I’m not mistaken,” he exclaimed in a tone that incensed Joel even more deeply.

Dame Hansen was standing in front of the man in an humble almost cringing attitude, but she instantly straightened herself up, and seemed greatly annoyed at the sight of her children.

“And this is her brother, I suppose?” added Sandgoist.

“Yes, her brother,” retorted Joel.