And something more was gone--the gatepost. Afterward, he thought that, in the struggle with temptation, he must have gone over to it himself, and flung it down with its supports; that it had fallen, and had been so utterly rotten and decayed that it had dropped with out a sound, leaving nothing but crumbling dust behind. But he was not sure that it was so. He thought also that the thing had stood in his own soul; that it was his own violent, reckless, savage nature, with its supports of inherited habit and ingrown prejudice and sense of rights long held, that had fallen. For that it had fallen, he felt now with wonder and relief. He knew it, from the mighty train of gentle thoughts that flowed through his soul. He knew it, from the power of self-sacrificing love that filled him now. He realized it from the joy he now felt in being a priest. He thought of his life, how he was at once a husbandman tending the fruits of the earth, and a shepherd of souls, head of a household and leader of a congregation, master and ruler and the helping minister of all--and now, for the first time, he felt that he truly loved his work, as the noblest and greatest and happiest of all. He was happy, on this lovely evening in spring, as he drove back alone over the desolate, barren, unbeautiful mountain tract, toward his own poor home. And he looked back, marvelling, at the thing which had saved him; for it was not his love, nor his priestly office, but the thought of the sacredness and majesty of life. A thought that had grown up slowly out of Sven Elversson's ill-fate and now stood firm and clear in its maturity. * * * * * * * When Sigrun came out next morning into the garden, she saw that the book of poems had been left on the table, and went to fetch it in. But, on taking it up, she found something between the leaves. And, looking to see, she found a small purse of yellow leather. It was thrust in just at the page where stood the verses of the prisoner returned from the wars, and it contained her two plain rings, one other ring, also her husband's gift, and a few small trinkets. She wondered at this, trying to think what it could mean. And then at last she understood. And, trembling with emotion, she began to weep. So it was Sven Elversson found her. At first she could make no answer to his anxious questioning. Then at last she sobbed out: "Edward was here last night, and heard all we said. He saw that I loved you, and he left this for me." "Love me!" cried Sven Elversson. "You love me?" "Yes," said Sigrun. "And Edward saw it, but he is not angry with me. My love, he will not come to fetch me now. He tells me to stay here and be yours now." * * * * * * * Later in the day, Lotta Hedman came over to Hånger with a message from the Pastor, asking Sigrun how she wished matters now to be arranged.