And Ole walked on. He knew Mrs. Hanka's address well; more than once had he taken her home when she had called on him secretly, asking for news about the children. And had he not found Tidemand outside her windows that night he returned from England? How their thoughts were ever busy with each other! With him it was different; he had forgotten his experience and did not think of such things any more. But when he inquired for Mrs. Hanka he was told that she had gone away for a couple of days; she had gone to the country house. She would be back to-morrow. He listened and did not understand at once. The country house? Which country house? Of course, yes; Tidemand's country house. Ole glanced at his watch. No; it was too late to try and get Mrs. Hanka back to-day. What reason could he have given, anyway? He had wanted to surprise them both with his little scheme, but now it had become impossible. Alas, how everything turned out badly for him of late! Ole turned back. To the country house! How she haunted the old places! She had been unable to resist; she had to see once more that house and these grounds, although the leaves were almost gone and the garden was desolate. Oh! Aagot had intended to spend the summer there if everything had turned out all right. Well, that was another matter, something that did not concern him in the least. Ole was weary and disappointed. He decided to go to Tidemand at once and tell him everything. He had meant it for the best. "We shall have to go alone after all," he said. "I really have a ticket for your wife, though." Tidemand changed colour. "You have?" he simply said. "Yes, I had planned to have her sit between us; perhaps I ought to have told you beforehand; but any way, she has gone away and won't be back till to-morrow." "Is that so?" said Tidemand as before. "Listen, you mustn't be angry with me because of this! If you only knew-- Your wife has called on me quite frequently of late; she asks about you and the children--" "That is all right." "What?" "I say, that is all right. But why do you tell me this?" Then Ole's anger blazed forth; he stuck his face close up to Tidemand's and shouted furiously, in a shrill voice: