Thelma needed no more words, she rushed to the door, threw it open, and vanished like a bird in air. Britta's joy at seeing her was too great for more than an exclamation of welcome,--and the carriole, with the two girls safely in it, was soon on its rapid way back to the farm. Meanwhile, Olaf Güldmar, with Errington and the others, had just landed at Bosekop after a heavy pull across the Fjord, and they made straight for Mr. Dyceworthy's house, the bonde working himself up as he walked into a positive volcano of wrath. Finding the street-door open as it had just been left by the escaped Thelma, they entered, and on the threshold of the parlor, stopped abruptly, in amazement at the sight that presented itself. Two figures were rolling about on the floor, apparently in a close embrace,--one large and cumbrous, the other small and slight. Sometimes they shook each other,--sometimes they lay still,--sometimes they recommenced rolling. Both were perfectly silent, save that the larger personage seemed to breathe somewhat heavily. Lorimer stepped into the room to secure a better view--then he broke into an irrepressible laugh.
"It's Duprèz," he cried, for the benefit of the others that stood at the door. "By Jove! How did he get here, I wonder?"
Hearing his name, Duprèz looked up from that portion of Mr. Dyceworthy's form in which he had been burrowing, and smiled radiantly.
"Ah, cher Lorimer! Put your knee here, will you? So! that is well--I will rest myself!" And he rose, smoothing his roughened hair with both hands, while Lorimer in obedience to his request, kept one knee artistically pressed on the recumbent figure of the minister. "Ah! and there is our Phil-eep, and Sandy, and Monsieur Güldmar! But I do not think," here he beamed all over, "there is much more to be done! He is one bruise, I assure you! He will not preach for many Sundays;--it is bad to be so fat--he will be so exceedingly suffering!"
Errington could not forbear smiling at Pierre's equanimity. "But what has happened?" he asked. "Is Thelma here?"
"She was here," answered Duprèz. "The religious had decoyed her here by means of some false writing,--supposed to be from you. He kept her locked up here the whole afternoon. When I came he was making love and frightening her,--I am pleased I was in time. But"--and he smiled again--"he is well beaten!"