Then, advancing until within a few steps of the arm-chair, he asked, brusquely: 

“What do you want here?”

Sandgoist gave him a withering look; then, in a harsh voice, and without rising, he replied: 

“You will soon learn, young man.  You happen in just at the right time.  I was anxious to see you, and if your sister is a sensible girl we shall soon come to an understanding.  But sit down, and you, too, young woman, had better do the same.”

Sandgoist seemed to be doing the honors of his own house, and Joel instantly noted the fact.

“Ah, ha! you are displeased!  What a touchy young man you seem to be!”

“I am not particularly touchy that I know of, but I don’t feel inclined to accept civilities from those who have no right to offer them.”

“Joel!” cried Dame Hansen.

“Brother, brother!” exclaimed Hulda, with an imploring look.

Joel made a violent effort to control himself, and to prevent himself from yielding to his desire to throw this coarse wretch out of the window, he retired to a corner of the room.

“Can I speak now?” inquired Sandgoist.

An affirmative sign from Dame Hansen was all the answer he obtained, but it seemed to be sufficient.

“What I have to say is this,” he began, “and I would like all three of you to listen attentively, for I don’t fancy being obliged to repeat my words.”

That he spoke like a person who had an indisputable right to his own way was only too evident to each and every member of the party.

“I have learned through the newspapers,” he continued, “of the misfortune which has befallen a certain Ole Kamp—­a young seaman of Bergen—­and of a lottery-ticket that he bequeathed to his betrothed, Hulda Hansen, just as his ship, the ‘Viking,’ was going down.  I have also learned that the public at large feels convinced that this will prove the fortunate ticket by reason of the peculiar circumstances under which it was found.  I have also learned that some very liberal offers for the purchase of this ticket have been received by Hulda Hansen.”

He was silent for a moment, then: 

“Is this true?” he added.

He was obliged to wait some time for an answer to this question.

“Yes, it is true,” replied Joel, at last.  “And what of it, if you please?”

“These offers are, in my opinion, the result of a most absurd and senseless superstition,” continued Sandgoist, “but for all that, they will continue to be made, and to increase in amount, as the day appointed for the drawing approaches.  Now, I am a business man myself, and I have taken it into my head that I should like to have a hand in this little speculation myself, so I left Drammen yesterday to come to Dal to arrange for the transfer of this ticket, and to beg Dame Hansen to give me the preference over all other would-be purchasers.”

Hulda was about to make Sandgoist the same answer she had given to all offers of this kind, though his remarks had not been addressed directly to her, when Joel checked her.