“Why, she is delighted about it,” said Cecil. “And she will tell you so when she has you to herself. I am so glad—so very glad that your trouble is over at last, and everything cleared up.” “I can hardly believe it yet,” said Frithiof. “I’m afraid of waking and finding that all this is a dream. Yet it feels real while I talk to you, for you were the only outsider who believed in me and cheered me up last summer. I shall never forget your trust in me.” Her eyes sank beneath his frank look of gratitude. She was horribly afraid lest she should betray herself, and to hide the burning color which surged up into her face, she turned away and busied herself with the teapot, which did not at all want refilling. “You have forgotten Signor Donati,” she said, recovering her self-possession. “Ah! I must write to him,” said Frithiof. “I more and more wonder how he could possibly have had such insight into the truth. Here come Mr. Boniface and Roy.” He returned to the parlor, while Cecil from the background watched the greetings with some curiosity. In honor of Herr Sivertsen, and to please Frithiof, both Sigrid and Swanhild wore their Hardanger peasant dress, and Cecil thought she had never seen Sigrid look prettier than now, as she shook hands with Roy, welcoming him with all the charm of manner, with all the vivacity which was characteristic of her. “Tea for Mr. Boniface, and coffee for Roy,” announced Swanhild, dancing in. “Lance, you can hand the crumpets, and mind you don’t drop them all.” She pioneered him safely through the little crowd, and Frithiof returned to Cecil. They had a comfortable little _tête-à-tête_ over the tea-table. “I dare to think now,” he said, “of the actual amount of the debts, for at last there is a certainty that in time I can pay them.” “How glad I am!” said Cecil. “It will be a great relief to you.” “Yes, it will be like getting rid of a haunting demon,” said Frithiof. “And to see a real prospect of being free once more is enough to make this the happiest Christmas I have ever known—to say nothing of getting rid of the other cloud. I sometimes wonder what would have become of me if I had never met you and your brother.” “If you had never sheltered us from the rain in your house,” she said, smiling. “It is in some ways dreadful to see how much depends on quite a small thing,” said Frithiof thoughtfully. And perhaps, could he have seen into Cecil’s heart, he would have been more than ever impressed with this idea.