"No? That is because you do not know them well enough." "But I know what they have written. It seems to me they do not exactly soar to the solitary heights. It is probably my own fault, though--Lars Paulsberg uses perfumes." "Does he? A little peculiarity. One must pardon such men a few oddities." "But I notice that they treat each other with the greatest respect," Coldevin continued. "They talk about everything; they make excellent speeches on every subject imaginable." "Don't they, though? It is wonderful to listen to them, I must say." "But how are you getting on--in the business, I mean?" "Oh, we take one day at a time. We have just turned a little trick in Brazil which I hope will prove satisfactory. I remember, you are interested in business matters. When you come down tomorrow I will take you around and show you how we do it. We will all go--you and Aagot and myself--we three old friends." "I thought I heard my name?" said Aagot merrily and joined them. "Yes, I did; don't try to fool me, Ole. It seems to me it is my turn to speak a little with Coldevin; you have had him to yourself long enough, Ole." And she took Ole's chair and sat down. "The letters from home are full of questions about you. Mamma asked me to see that you were comfortable at your hotel." Coldevin's lips quivered again, and he said, with his eyes on the floor: "How can you bother with such things now? Don't worry about me; I am very comfortable. I hope you are enjoying yourself? Though I hardly need to ask you that." "But, do you know, there are times when I am longing for home, too. Can you understand that?" "That is only the first few days--It will be a little hard never to see you again, Miss Aagot--I mean a little--that is--" "You talk so strangely to-night," she said. "You almost make me want to cry; honestly you do." "But, dear Miss Aagot--" "To get married isn't the same as to die, I'm sure." Coldevin's manner instantly changed; he became jocular. "Die! Well, I like that! But you are right in saying that I have been sitting here and depressing you with my talk. It was mostly your mother I was thinking of. It was nobody else--Tell me, have you finished the cushions for the yacht?" "Yes," answered Aagot absently. "But you have not been in Parliament yet? I imagine you have hardly had time for that as yet. I have been there every day; but then I haven't anything else to do." "Listen," she said suddenly; "I may not have an opportunity to bid you good night later, so I will do it now." She gave him her hand. "And remember, you have promised to call to-morrow! I--You will make me very happy if you come." She dropped his hand and got up. He sat there a moment as in a trance. He heard somebody say: "What can Miss Aagot and Coldevin be so deeply absorbed in?" He heard that Aagot was on the point of answering, and he exclaimed hurriedly: "I shake hands with Miss Aagot on a promise to call on her to-morrow."