Chapter 27 - Page 2

could not resist
the opportunity of going to see her.

It was one evening before dinner--Mother Kirstine had fallen into a
quiet sleep, and Elizabeth was sitting by her bedside, when she saw Fru
Beck pass the window. Elizabeth knew she would come in, and sat with
beating heart waiting for her knock at the door.

Fru Beck must have stood a long while in the porch, for some minutes
passed before the latch was stirred. Elizabeth went softly out and
opened the door.

They stood face to face. Elizabeth's eyes were full of tears, but Fru
Beck's feelings were not at that moment so easily expressed. She
silently pressed Elizabeth's hand, and her manner, and the expression of
her pale face, showed that she was not the less moved of the two at
their meeting again.

Elizabeth showed her into Mother Kirstine's comfortable little kitchen,
where a saucepan of broth for her sick aunt was simmering over the fire.
She invited her visitor to take a seat. It was so quiet that they could
hear the watch ticking in the next room where her aunt was sleeping.

Neither spoke for a moment or two. Then Fru Beck asked in a low voice--

"How is your aunt, Elizabeth?"

It was a natural question to ask under the circumstances, but it was
felt by both to be only a preliminary breaking of the ice; she had,
besides, sent a messenger that morning already to make inquiries.

"Thank you, Fru Beck, she is improving," Elizabeth replied. "She is
asleep now, and that will do her good."

"It is a long time since we saw each other--nearly eighteen years," said
Fru Beck, and her eyes dwelt upon Elizabeth as if to find what traces
time had left upon her. "But you have kept strong, I see--stronger than
I have."

"It was that morning I left for Holland," said Elizabeth, seeming to
recall it with a certain pleasure.

"I have often thought of that time," whispered Fru Beck, more to herself
almost than to the person she was talking to. Her lip trembled slightly,
and Elizabeth read an expression of mute sorrow in her face. She was on
the point of telling Elizabeth that she knew the reason of her going;
but after debating for a moment within herself whether she should or
not, finally let it pass.

"Ah! if we could only see into the future, Elizabeth!" she exclaimed
with a sigh, and looked sadly at her, as if she thought she had given
expression to a feeling that must be common to them both.

"It is better as it is, Fru Beck. Many things happen in life that would
not be so easy to bear if we were cast down beforehand."

"Yes; but one could guard one's self," whispered Fru Beck, with a