Gudmund struggled a little with himself. It was provoking that he should have bidden a person of Helga's sort to ride with him to-day of all days! But he thought also that since he had taken her into the wagon, he could not drive her out. "Stop, Gudmund!" said the girl once again. She spoke in a very decided tone, and Gudmund drew in the reins. "It is she, of course, who wishes to step down," thought he. "I don't have to force her to ride against her will." She was down on the road before the horse had time to stop. "I thought you knew who I was when you asked me to ride," she said, "or I should not have stepped into the cart." Gudmund muttered a short good-bye and drove on. She was doubtless right in thinking that he knew her. He had seen the girl from the marsh croft many times as a child, but she had changed since she was grown up. At first he was very glad to be rid of the travelling companion, but gradually he began to feel displeased with himself. He could hardly have acted differently, yet he did not like being cruel to any one. Shortly after Gudmund had parted from Helga, he turned out of the road and up a narrow street, and came to a large and fine estate. As Gudmund drew up before the gate, the house door opened and one of the daughters appeared. Gudmund raised his hat; at the same time a faint flush covered his face. "Wonder if the Juryman is at home?" said he. "No, father has gone down to the Court House," replied the daughter. "Oh, then he has already gone," said Gudmund. "I drove over to ask if the Juryman would ride with me. I'm going to the Court House." "Father is always so punctual!" bewailed the daughter. "It doesn't matter," said Gudmund. "Father would have been pleased, I dare say, to ride behind such a fine horse and in such a pretty cart as you have," remarked the girl pleasantly. Gudmund smiled a little when he heard this commendation. "Well, then, I must be off again," said he. "Won't you step in, Gudmund?" "Thank you, Hildur, but I'm going to the Court House, you know. It won't do for me to be late." Now Gudmund takes the direct road to the Court House. He was very well pleased with himself and thought no more of his meeting with Helga. It was fortunate that only Hildur had come out on the porch and that she had seen the cart and blanket, the horse and harness. She had probably taken note of everything.