She was so cheerful that she carried away even the phlegmatic Ole. He was lost in her; he played little tricks on her and trembled with the tenderest affection for this hoydenish girl who wasn't even full grown. When in the company of others he appeared vastly superior--she was his little sweetheart; she was so young, much younger than he, it was up to him to display his knowledge and experience. But when they were alone, alas! then he could not keep up this pretence; he lost his seriousness and was a child with her. He stole many a glance from his books and papers, gazed at her secretly, lost in contemplation of her radiant figure and worshipping to distraction her dimpling smile. How she could make his heart pound when she would glance archly at him and then come over to him and whisper: "So you are _my_ boy, are you?" She had so many adorable ways. At times she could sit and gaze at the floor, gaze fixedly at something which made her eyes dewy--memories, perhaps--some old memory-- Ole asked her at last when she thought they ought to get married, and when he saw her blush deeply, even to her neck, he regretted that he had been too abrupt. There was no hurry; she must decide that herself; no need to answer now, not at all. But she answered: "I am ready when you are." There was a knock at the door and Irgens entered. He came in order to propose a visit to the sculpture-gallery. Ole said jestingly: "I see! You have chosen this hour because you knew I couldn't come along!" "What nonsense! We have to go when the galleries are open, naturally." Ole laughed loudly. "Look, he is getting mad, furious, ha, ha, ha! I fooled you that time, Irgens!" Aagot got her hat and coat and went with Irgens. Ole called after her: "Don't stay too late, Aagot! Remember, we have promised to go with Tidemand to Tivoli." On the street Irgens glanced at his watch and said: "I see it is a little too early yet. If you have no objections we might take a walk up toward the Castle." And they walked toward the Castle. The band played; people strolled up and down. Irgens talked again interestingly and facetiously about different matters, and Aagot replied and laughed, listening curiously to his words; at times she would make some admiring little exclamation when he made a specially striking remark. She could not refrain from looking at his face--a handsome face, rich, curly moustache, a somewhat broad, voluptuous mouth. He was in an entirely new suit to-day; she noticed it was bluish like her own. He wore a silk shirt and grey gloves. As they passed Our Saviour's Church he asked her if she liked to go to church. She said yes--didn't he? "Oh, no, not very often." That was not nice of him.