Part 15 (1/2)

”We have caught a few trout,” said Hardy, ”and taken a few to the Jensens, who were so good as to make us stay to dinner, with the kind hospitality so conspicuous in Denmark.”

”They are hospitable people,” said the Pastor.

”But great gossips,” added the daughter, who had scarcely noticed Hardy since his return. She got up and left the room.

Hardy determined to risk a question. ”Your daughter is, the Jensens say, attached to a Kapellan Holm, Herr Pastor?” said he, inquiringly.

”No, decidedly not,” said the Pastor. ”I am sorry to say she dislikes him; his manner is not pleasant, and she considers him addicted to drink, of which I have never observed any sign. He is a good man, a little boisterous in manner. He is coming here to a.s.sist me in the winter, and will live with us. He is now in Copenhagen.”

Hardy thought Helga Lindal difficult to understand. That she would marry a man that the Pastor had described was not consistent with her character; but, then, women do inconsistent things. Her manner to him was not courteous--it was unfriendly; but now and then she would speak warmly and gratefully for any kindness Hardy showed her father.

”G.o.dseier Jensen and his family are going to Rosendal to-morrow,” said Hardy, after smoking some time in silence.

”Yes,” said Karl; ”the Frken Jensens want to ride Herr Hardy's horses.”

Helga had returned, and heard what Karl said.

”Frken Mathilde Jensen is a girl with a cheerful character, open and honest, like the Danes naturally are,” said Hardy.

”I think she is a great deal too forward!” said Helga, sharply.

Hardy looked at her; it was clear she meant what she said. To his view there was nothing to condemn in Mathilde Jensen's conduct. She had good animal spirits, was natural in manner, and affectionate to her parents, who rather spoilt her.

The next day Hardy rode his English horse to the Jensens' Herregaard, and Garth followed with both the Danish horses.

The Jensens were all on the doorsteps, as Hardy trotted up. The proprietor received him warmly, and his family did the like. He walked round Hardy's horse and admired him, as he had done on a previous occasion.

”It is the breadth of his loins,” he said, ”that sends him over his jumps. I never saw anything so fine as when he pa.s.sed the other horses, taking his leaps like nothing; and how he came in with a grand stride, by the winning post!”

”As you breed horses, Herr Jensen,” said Hardy, ”you should import an English mare of Buffalo's stamp; it would enormously improve your breeding stud. A stallion would not do so well, and would be very costly. It is a slower process, but a more certain one.”

”Yes; but we Danes are poor,” said the proprietor, ”and I cannot afford the purchase of such a mare.”

”When I return to England, I will see what I can do for you,” said Hardy.

The side saddles were placed on Hardy's Danish horses, and they went to Rosendal, the Frken Jensens enjoying the ride greatly.

Fru Jensen went through the dairy and criticized, her husband did the same with the farm buildings, and gave Hardy useful and practical advice, which Hardy noted down and afterwards followed.

They strolled through the beech woods, and saw the valley of roses in its ragged and neglected condition. But the good proprietor would insist on seeing the farm, and on this also he gave Hardy many practical hints. They returned to the mansion and had such a lunch as Hardy had been able to arrange, which delighted Frken Mathilde Jensen from its incompleteness.

”The fact is, Herr Hardy,” she said, ”you want a wife. You have no idea how to manage anything. We have none of us a napkin, and everything is served abominably.”

”I hope to induce my mother to come here next summer,” said Hardy; but he knew Mrs. Hardy of Hardy Place would scarcely adapt herself to the situation Frken Mathilde suggested.

”No doubt your mother will do everything,” said Frken Mathilde, ”but a wife is the one thing needful.”

”Possibly,” said Hardy. ”I will consult my mother on the subject.”

”I do not like, Mathilde,” said Fru Jensen, ”your saying such things to Herr Hardy. It is not what I should have said when I was your age.”