Aagot. Yes--I was quite feverish for about a week--I thought I was ill--and the others kept asking what was the matter with me. And really I didn't know. There is a whole heap of things I could tell you about those few days--but you wouldn't be able to understand. Leonarda. Yes, I should. Aagot. No, you couldn't possibly! I can't, either. I was so wretched then--and now I am so happy-- Leonarda. Well, tell me about it another time. But how did things come to a head? Aagot. He spoke to me--straight out! Leonarda. Proposed to you? Aagot. Yes.--Oh, I feel I am blushing again at the very thought of it. Leonarda. And you looked foolish? Aagot. I don't know what I looked like! Leonarda. What did you do? Aagot. I gave one scream--a real good scream--and ran; ran home, packed my trunk, and got on board the boat as quick as I could. Leonarda. And was that all? Aagot. All? It happened out of doors amongst all the people. Leonarda. Aagot! Aagot. It happened so frightfully unexpectedly. I never was so frightened in my life--and so ashamed of myself afterwards. I did nothing but cry on the boat, all the way. Leonarda. But he must have come by the same boat. Aagot. Just fancy, he had travelled overland across the promontory and caught the boat on the other side. And I knew nothing about it till I saw him before my eyes! I thought I should sink through the deck. I wanted to run away then, but--oh, aunt, I couldn't! He looked at me with such a wonderful look in his eyes, and took hold of my hands. He spoke to me, but I don't know what he said; everything seemed to be going round and round. And his eyes, aunt! Ah, you haven't looked at them, and that is why you took it so--so-- Leonarda. No, dear. Aagot. There is something about his mere presence--something so true. And when he looks at me and says--not in words, you know, but still says all the same "I love you so much," I tremble all over. Oh, aunt, kiss me!--There! Thank heaven!--Do you know what he said to-day? Leonarda. No. Aagot. That the woman who had fostered--that was the word he used--such a solemn word, but then he is studying for the church--well, that the woman who had fostered such a girl--he meant me, you know--I thought of all my faults, but he will get to know them soon enough-- Leonarda. Well? That the woman who had fostered such a girl as you-- Aagot.--as me, could not have her equal anywhere! Leonarda. You must have been praising me up nicely? Aagot. On the contrary. It was afterwards when he said he would come here first, before me--it was his duty, he said, to stand the first shock. "For heaven's sake don't," I said; "you don't know her, she will crush you!" Leonarda. Oh, Aagot! Aagot. It was then that he said, "No, the woman who has fostered such a girl," etcetera, etcetera. Ah, now I see you have been horrid to him. Leonarda. I had been worried all the morning--and I misunderstood--