two sentences with her before, as you can well imagine.  She was not inviting to the artistic eye; indeed, I rather wondered how my friend could tolerate her at the head of the table, till he jestingly told me it was reckoned off the bill.  The place was indeed suited to the student’s pocket.  But this morning I was surprised at the sprightliness of her share in the dialogue of mutual apologies.  Her mind seemed as alert as her step, her voice was pleasing and gentle, and there was a refreshing gaiety in her attitude towards the situation.

“‘But I am quite sure it was my fault,’ I wound up rather lamely at last, ’and, if you will allow me to make you amends, I shall be pleased to send you a ticket for the ball to-morrow night.’

“She stood still.  ‘For the Kunstner Karneval!’ she cried eagerly, while her poor absurd face lit up.

“’Yes, Froeken; and I shall be happy to escort you there if you will give me the pleasure.’

“She looked at me with sudden suspicion—­the idea that I was chaffing her must have crossed her mind.  I felt myself flushing furiously, feeling somehow half-guilty by my secret thoughts of her a few moments ago.  We had arrived at the Amagertorv—­the market-place—­and I recollect getting a sudden impression of the quaint stalls and the picturesque Amager-women—­one with a preternaturally hideous face—­and the frozen canal in the middle, with the ice-bound fruit-boats from the islands, and the red sails of the Norwegian boats, and the Egyptian architecture of Thorwaldsen’s Museum in the background, making up my mind to paint it all, in the brief instant before I added in my most convincing tones, ’The Kronprinds will be there.’

“Her incredulous expression became tempered by wistfulness, and with an inspiration I drew out the ticket and thrust it into her hand.  I saw her eyes fill with tears as she turned her head away and examined some vegetables.

“‘You will excuse me,’ she said presently, holding the ticket limply in her hand, ’but I fear it is impossible for me to accept your kind invitation.  You see I have so much to do, and my children will be so uncomfortable without me.’

“‘Your children will be at the ball to a man,’ I retorted.

“‘But I haven’t any fancy costume,’ she pleaded, and tendered me the ticket back.  It struck me—­almost with a pang—­that her hand was bare of glove, and the work-a-day costume she was wearing was ill adapted to the rigour of the weather.

“‘Oh!  Come anyhow,’ I said.  ’Ordinary evening dress.  Of course, you will need a mask.’

“I saw her lip twitch at this unfortunate way of putting it, and hastened to affect unconsciousness of my blunder.

“‘She wouldn’t,’ I added with feigned jocularity, nodding towards the preternaturally hideous Amager-woman.

“‘Poor old thing,’ she said gently.  ‘I shall be sorry when she dies.’