Away went Vizard; found Copenhagen with ease; Zutzig with difficulty,
being a small village. But once there, he soon found the farmhouse of Eva
Klosking. He drove up to the door. A Danish laborer came out from the
stable directly; and a buxom girl, with pale golden hair, opened the
door. These two seized his luggage, and conveyed it into the house, and
the hired vehicle to the stable. Vizard thought it must be an inn.
The girl bubbled melodious sounds, and ran off and brought a sweet,
venerable name. Vizard recognized Eva Klosking at once. The old lady
said, “Few strangers come here--are you not English?”
“Yes, madam.”
“It is Mr. Vizard--is it not?”
“Yes, madam.”
“Ah, sir, my daughter will welcome you, but not more heartily than I do.
My child has told me all she owes to you”--then in Danish, “God bless the
hour you come under this roof.”
Vizard's heart beat tumultuously, wondering how Ina Klosking would
receive him. The servant had told her a tall stranger was come. She knew
in a moment who it was; so she had the advantage of being prepared.
She came to him, her cheeks dyed with blushes, and gave him both hands.
“You here!” said she; “oh, happy day! Mother, he must have the south
chamber. I will go and prepare it for him. Tecla!--Tecla!”--and she was
all hostess. She committed him to her mother, while she and the servant
went upstairs.
He felt discomfited a little. He wanted to know, all in a moment, whether
she would love him.
However, Danish hospitality has its good side. He soon found out he might
live the rest of his days there if he chose.
He soon got her alone, and said, “You knew I should find you, cruel one.”
“How could I dream of such a thing?” said she, blushing.
“Oh, Love is a detective. You said to yourself, 'If he loves me as I
ought to be loved, he will search Europe for me; but he will find me.'”
“Oh, then it was not to be at peace and rest on my mother's bosom I came
here; it was to give you the trouble of running after me. Oh, fie!”
“You are right. I am a vain fool.”
“No, that you are not. After all, how do I know all that was in my heart?
(Ahem!) Be sure of this, you are very welcome. I must go and see about
your dinner.”
In that Danish farmhouse life was very primitive. Eva Klosking, and both
her daughters, helped the two female servants, or directed them, in every
department. So Ina, who was on her defense, had many excuses for escaping
Vizard, when he pressed her too hotly. But at last she was obliged to
say, “Oh, pray, my friend--we are in Denmark: here widows are expected to
be discreet.”
“But that is no reason why the English fellows who adore them should be
discreet.”
“Perhaps not: but then the Danish lady runs away.”
Which she did.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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