Dawes's position, and Jörgen's and the servants' struggles. Her father tried to ask why Mrs. Dawes had been in the passage. This stopped Mary's laughter. One of the maids came from the other room and said that Mrs. Dawes was now in bed, and that she wished to speak to Miss Krog. Jörgen was standing at the foot of the bed. Mrs. Dawes lay groaning and weeping and calling for Mary. No sooner did Mary appear at the door than she began: "What was happening to you, child? Sudden terror seized me. What was going on?" Mary went up to the bed without looking at Jörgen. She knelt down and put her arm round her old friend's neck. "Oh, Aunt Eva!" she said, and laid her head on the old lady's breast. Presently she began to cry. "What is it? What is it? What is making you so unhappy?" moaned Mrs. Dawes, stroking the beautiful hair. At last Mary looked up. Jörgen Thiis had gone; but she still kept silence. "I have never felt like that," began Mrs. Dawes again, "except when something dreadful was happening." Mary kept silence. "Had Jörgen Thiis anything to do with it?" Mary gave her a look. "Ah! that is what I feared. But remember, my child, that he has loved you since the first time he saw you--you, and no one else. That means a great deal. And never once so much as hinted it to you--has he?" Mary shook her head. "It's no small thing, that either. It shows strength of character. He has served you and he has honoured you--don't be too hard on him. Not till now, when you are poor, does he dare--but what was it?" Mary waited a little; then she said: "First I thought he was ill. Then he suddenly lost his senses." "Oh, I could tell you something. I too.... Yes, yes, yes!" She seemed lost in thought. Then she murmured: "Those who go for years...." But Mary cut her short. "Don't let us talk any more about it," she said, rising. "No. Only it is...." "No more on that subject, please!" repeated Mary, walking to the window. Standing there she heard Mrs. Dawes say: "You must let me tell you that he has spoken to me--asked me if he dared offer himself to you. He can imagine no greater happiness than to help you when we are no longer able. But he thinks that you are too unapproachable." Mary made an involuntary movement. Mrs. Dawes saw it. "Don't be too hard on him, Mary. Do you know, child, that your father and I think ..." "Now, Aunt Eva!" Mary turned sharply towards her--not as if she were angry, but yet in such a manner as to check the words on the old lady's lips. Mary remained in the room. She would not risk meeting Jörgen Thiis. When she was doing some small service for Mrs. Dawes, the latter said: "You know, child, that Jörgen is to have Uncle Klaus's money?" As Mary did not answer, she ventured to go on. "And he believes that Uncle Klaus will help him if he marries." This, too, Mary allowed to pass unnoticed.