Part 11 (1/2)
”Nevertheless,” replied Fred calmly, ”I issue my commands, and in order to relieve your mind of anxiety, I will find a bride for you.”
”Where, then, is this bride, O wizard?” asked Sam with a laugh.
”Behold her!” cried Fred, starting up and throwing open the door, from which could be seen the sh.o.r.e and the fiord with its background of n.o.ble hills.
Sam and Grant started up with sudden exclamations, and stared at the object which met their gaze in speechless wonder. And truly there was cause for astonishment; for there, on the sh.o.r.e, close to the water's edge, stood the fair Raneilda, clothed in the gorgeous costume of a Norwegian bride.
”a.s.suredly you are a wizard,” cried Grant, glancing at his friend.
”Not so,” replied Fred. ”I met sweet Raneilda last night at her father's cottage, and begged of her to come here at a certain hour this morning in the costume of a bride, in order that my friend the artist might paint her. She hesitated and blushed a good deal at first, but at length she agreed, and, as you see, is punctual in keeping her appointment.”
Fred now went down to Raneilda, and brought her up to the house; Sam Sorrel at once placed her in a good position, seized his brushes, and began the portrait.
He was delighted with the dress, for it glittered with gold and silver ornaments. The crown was of pure silver covered with gold. The breastplate was red cloth ornamented with silver-gilt brooches, beads of various colours, silver chains, and small, round looking-gla.s.ses. There was also a belt ornamented with gold and silver. Altogether Raneilda looked much more like the Queen of Norway than a poor peasant girl!
It is necessary to inform the reader that the greater part of this costume did not belong to the girl. In fact it did not belong to any one in particular. It is the custom in Norway for each district to have a marriage-dress for general use. The crown, the breastplate, and the belt are public property, and may be hired out by the girls who are about to be married at a few s.h.i.+llings for each occasion.
While Sam was busy with his portrait, Grant went out to search for plants, and Fred went off to search for Hans and to carry out the remainder of his plot. He soon found the young pilot.
”Hans,” said he, ”follow me, I wish to speak with you.”
Hans was quite willing to follow Fred to the moon if he had chosen to lead the way.
”I am going to show you a very pretty sight, Hans; step this way. Here, in this room.”
He threw open the door and led him in. The young Norseman entered with a smile, but the smile suddenly vanished, his blue eyes opened to their utmost width, and he stood rooted to the floor, unable to speak!
”Tuts! what means this?” cried Sam in disgust at being interrupted.
”Raneilda!” gasped her lover.
The bride covered her face with her hands.
”Very good! excellent!” exclaimed Grant who chanced to pa.s.s at the moment, and peeped in at the open window.
”Hurrah!” cried Bob Bowie, who just then came up to announce that the _Snowflake_ was ready for sea.
”She won't be wanted for some days yet,” cried Fred bursting into a fit of laughter as he seized Hans by the arm, dragged him into another room, and shut the door.
”Now, Hans,” said he earnestly, ”I am going to pay you off. Nay, man, be not cast down, I did not take you into yonder room to mock you, but to show you how pretty Raneilda looked in her bridal dress.”
Fred paused for a moment, and the Norseman sighed and shook his head.