and before she could prevent it, she was up there too.  Almost at the same moment Aksel Aaroe came in among his companions and was received with the most energetic hand-clapping by all his friends—­men as well as women.  He bowed politely though somewhat coldly, but the expressions of welcome did not cease until his companions drew back a little, while he came forward.  First of all, the Society gave one of its older songs.  He kept his voice on a level with the others, which was considered in very good taste.  After this the conductor took his seat at the piano, to accompany a song which Aaroe wished to give alone.  The song was a composition of Selmer and much in fashion at the capital.  It could be sung by men as well as women, only in the last verse her had to be substituted for his.  Here it had never been heard before.

During the first song Aaroe had searched the room with his eyes, and, from the moment when he discovered where Ella stood, he had kept them fixed there.  Now he placed himself near the piano, and during the song he continued to look in her direction.  As he sang, his melancholy eyes lighted up; his figure grew plastic.

  I sing to one, to only one
    Of all the listening throng;
  To one alone is fully known
    The meaning of my song. 
  Lend power, ye listeners, to each word. 
    But for that only one
  Who in me woke sweet music’s chord
    My song had ne’er been sung.

  Though deviously the path may run,
    Passing through all hearts here,
  Yet still is it the only one
    Which to one heart is near. 
  Strengthen, oh, loving hearts, my song,
    So that it still may swell
  Through all love’s choir; the only one
    That in her heart may dwell.

His voice was captivating; no one had ever listened to such a love-message.  This time many beside Ella had tears in their eyes.  When the song ended, they all remained waiting for some moments, as though expecting another verse; and there was a short silence, but then applause broke forth such as had never been heard.  They wanted to have the song again, but no one had yet known Aksel Aaroe to sing anything twice running; so they relinquished the idea.

Ella had never heard the song; neither words nor music.  When, with his eyes turned in her direction, he had begun to sing, she felt as though she should fall; such unheard-of boldness she had never imagined.  That he, otherwise so considerate, should sing this across to her, so that all could hear!  White as the wall against which she leaned for support, she suffered such anguish of mind, that she looked round for help.  Immediately behind her, on the same bench, stood Fru Holmbo, magnetised, beautiful as a statue.  She no more saw Ella’s distress than she did the clock in the market-place.  This absolute indifference calmed her, she recovered her self-possession.  The neighbourhood of the others, which had been so terrible to her, was of no consequence, so long as they did not perceive anything.  She could listen now without distress.  More covertly, more charmingly, he could not have spoken, notwithstanding that every one heard it.  If only he had not looked at her!  If only she had been able to hide herself!