Part 35 (2/2)

”Now, Helga,” said John, ”I recollect you called me a cool and calculating Englishman. I shall take you down to the lake, where it will be cool, and there I shall find a Smrblomst, or a b.u.t.tercup, and by placing it to your chin, I shall be able to calculate the transparency of your complexion from the reflection of colour.”

”Don't tease me, John, about what I said to you last year,” said Helga, imploringly. ”If I said anything that pained you, I am sorry for it; but do not always keep it alive against me.”

”There is the rose of Rosendal, mother, and the jewel of Hardy Place,”

said Hardy to his mother, on his unpunctual return to lunch. ”She is so good and single-minded that it is impossible to invent ways of teasing her.”

”Then I should not try, John,” said his mother.

A few days before John's marriage, his friend and neighbour, Sir Charles Lynton, arrived at Rosendal.

”It is a lovely place, John,” said his friend; ”but, I suppose, nothing to be compared with the loveliness of your Scandinavian princess?”

”Don't quiz,” said Hardy; ”but come out and try a cast for an hour or so for the Danish trout. We can also visit a landowner near, who breeds good Jutland horses, and I know that is in your line.”

”By all means,” said his friend.

The stout proprietor, Jensen, was pleased with their visit, and the opportunity of hearing another Englishman's opinion as to his stock of horses.

”They want bone,” said Sir Charles, ”and to be kept better through the winter.”

”Then it would not pay to breed horses,” said the proprietor. ”A big-boned horse would be more expensive to keep up, and would not stand the cold and wet of our climate. We have no market for very high-cla.s.s horses; that is, we might sell one now and then, but not many.”

A short tobacco-parliament on horses was inevitable, and hints were exchanged and thoughts expressed very valuable in their way, but not necessary to be recorded here.

The wedding took place in the little Danish church at Vandstrup, and was witnessed by a large number of Hardy's Danish acquaintances and the Pastor's friends. The Pastor made a long discourse, for his heart was full.

Mrs. Hardy would not hear of her son's accompanying her to Esbjerg.

She left with Sir Charles Lynton, for Horsens, to continue the journey the next day to Esbjerg, where the yacht had been sent to meet them.

It was not until the middle of September that John Hardy and his wife, with Pastor Lindal, left Denmark by the overland route for Hardy Place. The time of their arrival at the station for Hardy Place was therefore known some time before, and confirmed by a telegram from Hardy on their reaching England.

Mrs. Hardy was on the platform, with a tall young man Pastor Lindal did not know.

”It is your son Karl, Herr Pastor,” said Mrs. Hardy.

A year's residence in England had made a great change in the Danish lad, and he appeared so English that the Pastor hesitated before he spoke to him in Danish. Karl's reply a.s.sured him that if he was changed outwardly, there was no change that he could regret.

Mrs. Hardy welcomed the Pastor and her son's wife warmly. Two carriages had been prepared, and John Hardy and his wife went in the first, and Mrs. Hardy, the Pastor, and Karl in the second. When they reached the entrance to Hardy Place, there was a considerable crowd of well-wishers, who cheered l.u.s.tily. There was an arch with the words--

”Saxon and Dane are we, But all of us Danes in our welcome of thee.”

”It is kindly meant,” said the Pastor, to Mrs. Hardy; ”and I like the full ring of the English cheer.”

At the door at Hardy Place there was another crowd, and amid more English cheers the fair Dane John Hardy had brought home as his wife alighted at Hardy Place.

Mrs. Hardy took possession of Helga, and left her son to speak to his friends and thank them for their reception, and entertain them.

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