As they were crossing the market Delphin pointed to some one going in the direction of Sandsgaard.

“I declare, there is Mr. Johnsen going to Sandsgaard again to-day.  Do you know, Miss Garman, he has gone a little wrong in his head?” But Madeleine had heard nothing about it.

“Yes, he is quite wrong in his head,” continued her companion; “but it is not yet perfectly clear whether he is in love or whether it is religious mania.  In favour of the first theory, that he is in love, we have the fact that he rushes over to Sandsgaard nearly every day, and is seen talking tete-a-tete with Miss Rachel.  In favour of the other theory, that he has gone wrong on the subject of religion, it is said that he intends to give us no end of a sermon one of these Sundays.  Won’t you go to hear him?”

“Well, I don’t know; but if the others go, I dare say I may go too.”

“No! now promise me you will go to church that Sunday,” said he, looking at her imploringly.

There was no time for an answer; they were close to the door, and Madeleine had caught a glimpse of Fanny behind the curtains of the sitting-room.

In the mean time Mr. Johnsen went on his way.  It was quite true that he was going to Sandsgaard, but Delphin’s statement that he was there every day was an exaggeration.  Since that Sunday, when the conversation had waxed so warm, he had not been at Sandsgaard; but his thoughts had been occupied ever since by the recollection of his last conversation with Rachel in the garden.

Eric Johnsen came, as he often said, of a poor family.  At the Garmans’ he was first brought into contact with that luxury which he had hitherto despised, and he had made up his mind beforehand that he would not allow himself to be dazzled by it, and therefore on his first introduction had made his best endeavour to put on an air of severity, and to show himself superior to its attractions.  But now he was not only astonished by the well-ordered and unpretentious comfort of the house, but he was also shaken in his preconceived notions about the rich, when he came to make the acquaintance of the Garmans.  Johnsen had expected to find something more ostentatious, especially at table; but the solid tone of the household, and the easy and polished manners of the family, perhaps most of all the presence of Rachel, finally caused him to change his original ideas.  He regarded with suspicion the satisfaction he felt, after having been at Sandsgaard a few times.  He was on his guard against everything that tended to draw him away from his calling.  There was one point which he felt of the highest importance, which was, since he had his origin from the poor and indigent, it was among them his work ought to lie, among paupers and in pauper schools.