“You have already been told that Hulda has refused much better offers than yours,” replied Joel.

“Indeed!” exclaimed Sandgoist.  “Much better offers, you say.  How do you know?”

“Whatever your offer may be, my sister refuses it, and I approve of her decision.”

“Ah! am I dealing with Joel or Hulda Hansen, pray?”

“My sister and I are one,” retorted Joel.  “It would be well for you to become satisfied of this fact, as you seem to be ignorant of it.”

Sandgoist shrugged his shoulders, but without being at all disconcerted, for like a man who is sure of his arguments, he replied: 

“When I spoke of the price I was willing to pay for the ticket, I ought to have told you that I could offer inducements which Hulda Hansen can hardly reject if she takes any interest in the welfare of her family.”

“Indeed?”

“Yes, and it would be well for you, young man, to understand, in your turn, that I did not come to Dal to beg your sister to sell me this ticket.  No, a thousand times no.”

“For what, then?”

“I do not ask for it, I demand it.  I will have it.”

“And by what right?” exclaimed Joel, “and how dare you, a stranger, speak in this way in my mother’s house?”

“By the right every man has to speak as he pleases, and when he pleases, in his own house,” retorted Sandgoist.

“In his own house?”

Joel, in his indignation, stepped threateningly toward Sandgoist, who, though not easily frightened, sprung hastily out of his arm-chair.  But Hulda laid a detaining hand upon her brother’s arm, while Dame Hansen, burying her face in her hands, retreated to the other end of the room.

“Brother, look at her!” whispered the young girl.

Joel paused suddenly.  A glance at his mother paralyzed him.  Her very attitude revealed how entirely Dame Hansen was in this scoundrel’s power.

Sandgoist, seeing Joel’s hesitation, recovered his self-possession, and resumed his former seat.

“Yes, in his own house,” he continued in a still more arrogant voice.  “Ever since her husband’s death, Dame Hansen has been engaging in unsuccessful speculations.  After losing the small fortune your father left at his death, she was obliged to borrow money of a Christiania banker, offering this house as security for a loan of fifteen thousand marks.  About a year ago I purchased the mortgage, and this house will consequently become my property—­and very speedily—­if I am not paid when this mortgage becomes due.”

“When is it due?” demanded Joel.

“On the 20th of July, or eighteen days from now,” replied Sandgoist.  “Then, whether you like it or not, I shall be in my own house here.”

“You will not be in your own house here until that date, even if you are not paid at that time,” retorted Joel, “and I forbid you to speak as you have been doing in the presence of my mother and sister.”