.

and now you want to do the same to me! But you won't--I can tell you! I'm old enough to do as I like, and I'd rather die than live with you!" Then, overcome by excitement and temper, she burst out crying, heedless of Pierre Duprez's smiling nods of approval, and the admiring remarks he was making under his breath, such as--"_Brava, ma petite! C'est bien fait! c'est joliment bien dit! Mais je crois bien!_" Lovisa seemed unmoved; she raised her head and looked, at Gueldmar.
"Is this your answer ?" she demanded.
"By the sword of Odin!" cried the _bonde_, "the woman must be mad! _my_ answer?
The girl has spoken for herself,--and plainly enough too! Art thou deaf, Lovisa Elsland?
or are thy wits astray ?" "My hearing is very good," replied Lovisa calmly, "and my mind, Olaf Gueldmar, is as clear as yours.

And, thanks to your teaching in mine early days,"-- she paused and looked keenly at him, but he appeared to see no meaning in her allusion,--"I know the English tongue, of which we hear far too much,--too often! There is nothing Britta has said that I do not understand.

But I know well it is not the girl herself that speaks--it is a demon in her,--and that demon shall be cast forth before I die! Yea, with the help of the Lord I shall--" She stopped abruptly and fixed her eyes, glowing with fierce wrath, on Thelma.

The girl met her evil glance with a gentle surprise.