The young Becks, as they were called in contradistinction to the master’s family, were now among the first people in Arendal, and kept one of the best houses in the town, which they had ample means to do, for the shipbuilding business brought them in a considerable annual income.  Carl Beck had lost none of his attractiveness as he grew older.  His curling black hair had now an early sprinkling of grey in it, but was always arranged to the very best effect; and there was, people said, such a nobleness about him (his cleverness was undisputed) that when he rose to propose or reply to a toast, there was not a lady at the table who was not in a flutter of inward admiration.  With his social advantages he could not, of course, fail to be in a position of considerable influence in the town, which again heightened his welcome in society.

But if he was thus made much of, it was not altogether the same with his wife.  The estimate of her which generally prevailed, that she was so perfectly “correct,” was not intended perhaps to be complimentary, but implied at the same time a recognition of her social power.  She was, in fact, her husband’s timepiece, and without her tact he would not have kept himself as straight as he did in the midst of the gushing welcomes which he found on all sides.

In his relations with his wife he was a pink of chivalry, never omitted the most trifling attention, and was always being complimented on being a pattern husband.  Some few of the intimates of the house seemed to think, though, that there was something strange in their attitude to one another—­a sort of coolness and reserve about both—­and it was whispered that his wife did not appreciate him as she ought; it seemed as if the two talked together best when strangers were present.  Fru Beck, too, always looked so uncommonly pale, and was so frigidly calm, that it might have been supposed she had no feelings at all; and in comparison with his overflowing warmth of nature she certainly did seem dreadfully precise and cold.

When they first came to Frederiksvaern as a young newly-married couple, her colour had been fresh, and her expression showed that she was still in love; she was then completely under the spell of his attractive warmth of manner, and felt safe in the possession of his love.  It was true, a couple of failings, which contrasted strangely with the idea she had formed of him from his manly bearing, had gradually disclosed themselves—­namely, an extraordinary vanity, and an almost ridiculous dependence upon the opinion of the world.  But so long as his heart was in the right place, and she could feel that he loved her, these disappointments were matters of but secondary consideration to her.  She felt that she even loved him all the more for these weaknesses; and she trusted to the power which she was gaining over him more and more every day to get them presently corrected.