“You are not going to ride up to Sandsgaard this morning?”

“No, not exactly; it would not do.  I can’t very well go up there dressed for riding, and if I were to ride in these clothes I should look absurd.  But I thought of riding out there this evening, somewhere about seven o’clock.  Just fancy me coming in over the garden wall with a flying salute, and lighted by the last rays of the evening sun!  Why, it would be irresistible.”

“Well, I am afraid, or perhaps I ought rather to say I hope, that Miss Madeleine will not fully appreciate your novel way of paying her your addresses,” said Worse, half-seriously.

“Ah, my most respected friend, you know very little of woman’s heart; and how should you, when your ideal is a woman who goes in for her rights? a tall bony creature with a moustache under her nose, and ‘Woman’s wrongs’ under her arm.”

“Leave off, will you?” cried Worse.  “You are just in your most disagreeable vein.  You had better go off to young Mrs. Garman.  She will find you most amusing to-day.”

“A good idea, which I was already thinking of,” answered Delphin, as he took his hat; “and at the same time I will take a place for myself in her carriage for to-morrow.”

“Won’t you drive with me?” cried Worse after him.

“No, thanks; I would rather go with Mrs. Garman, if for nothing else than to have the pleasure of seeing her worthy husband on the box,” said he, as he went out of the door.

Jacob Worse stood watching him.  At first he had been very glad to make Delphin’s acquaintance.  There were not many young men in the town with whom he could associate.  Delphin was intelligent, well read on different subjects, and when alone was good company enough.  But by-and-by he showed more of the frivolous side of his character, and Worse began to get a little tired of his friend.

Fanny was sitting all this time in a state of absolute boredom.  Little Christian Frederick had gone out with his nurse, and the street was uninteresting, dusty, hot, and thronged by country people making their Saturday purchases.  She did not care to look out of the window, but sat leaning back in her most comfortable armchair, yawning in front of the glass.  Would it be better to send for Madeleine? it was several days since she had paid her a visit.  But then she would have to play the part of go-between again.  Or should she begin on her own account?  Yes; why not?  But then he never came except when Madeleine was there.  It really was too tiresome.

When he now came unexpectedly into the room it gave her quite a start, but she still remained leaning back in her armchair, and gave him her left hand, which was the nearest, as she said, “I am glad to see you.  I was just thinking of you as I was sitting here all alone.”

“It was very kind of you, I am sure,” answered he, as he sat down in a chair in front of her.

“Yes; all sorts of foolish things come into one’s head when one is sitting alone.”