But at the same time there was something winning in his expression, which was familiar to the reverend gentleman from Erick's dear face.

And this gentleman had traveled so far to fetch his grandson, and Erick had disappeared.
All this passed through the pastor's head with lightning speed; he stood for a moment like one paralyzed.

But the colonel did not give much time to the surprised man to recover himself.

He quickly took the offered easy chair, drew the pastor down on another, looked straight into his eyes and said: "Dear Sir, you sent through the French pastor in Copenhagen a letter addressed to me, in which you inform me of things of which I do not believe one single word." The surprise of the pastor increased and was reflected in his face.
"Please understand me rightly, dear Sir," the speaker continued, "not that I mean that you would make an incorrect statement; but you yourself have been duped, your kindness has been shamefully misused.

Because I knew that, I did not wish to answer your letter in writing, for we would have exchanged many letters uselessly and yet would never have come to an understanding.