Then, overcome by excitement and temper, she burst out crying, heedless of Pierre Duprèz's smiling nods of approval, and the admiring remarks he was making under his breath, such as--"Brava, ma petite! C'est bien fait! c'est joliment bien dit! Mais je crois bien!"
Lovisa seemed unmoved; she raised her head and looked, at Güldmar.
"Is this your answer?" she demanded.
"By the sword of Odin!" cried the bonde, "the woman must be mad! my answer? The girl has spoken for herself,--and plainly enough too! Art thou deaf, Lovisa Elsland? or are thy wits astray?"
"My hearing is very good," replied Lovisa calmly, "and my mind, Olaf Güldmar, is as clear as yours. And, thanks to your teaching in mine early days,"--she paused and looked keenly at him, but he appeared to see no meaning in her allusion,--"I know the English tongue, of which we hear far too much,--too often! There is nothing Britta has said that I do not understand. But I know well it is not the girl herself that speaks--it is a demon in her,--and that demon shall be cast forth before I die! Yea, with the help of the Lord I shall--" She stopped abruptly and fixed her eyes, glowing with fierce wrath, on Thelma. The girl met her evil glance with a gentle surprise. Lovisa smiled malignantly.
"You know me, I think!" said Lovisa. "You have seen me before?"
"Often," answered Thelma mildly. "I have always been sorry for you."
"Sorry for me!" almost yelled the old woman. "Why--why are you sorry for me?"
"Do not answer her, child!" interrupted Güldmar angrily. "She is mad as the winds of a wild winter, and will but vex thee."
But Thelma laid her hand soothingly on her father's, and smiled peacefully as she turned her fair face again towards Lovisa.
"Why?" she said. "Because you seem so very lonely and sad--and that must make you cross with every one who is happy! And it is a pity, I think, that you do not let Britta alone--you only quarrel with each other when you meet. And would you not like her to think kindly of you when you are dead?"
Lovisa seemed choking with anger,--her face worked into such hideous grimaces, that all present, save Thelma, were dismayed at her repulsive aspect.
"When I am dead!" she muttered hoarsely. "So you count upon that already, do you? Ah! . . . but do you know which of us shall die first!" Then raising her voice with an effort she exclaimed-"Stand forth, Thelma Güldmar! Let me see you closely--face to face!"