"It's all right," he answered. "But, God bless you, what brought you here? Would you like to see the mill? Thanks for coming!" He took his mother round the waist and brought her forward and said: "Here is my mother." They went into the mill. The old Miller took off his cap with a low bow and said something; Camilla didn't hear what it was, but she smiled and said at random: "Thanks, thanks. Yes, I should like so much to see it." The noise frightened her, she held Johannes' hand and glanced up at the two men with big, listening eyes in case they should say something. She looked like a deaf person. All the wheels and machinery of the mill filled her with astonishment, she laughed, shook Johannes' hand in her excitement and pointed in all directions. The mill was stopped and started again so that she might see it. Even for a good while after she had left the mill Camilla talked in a comically loud voice, as though the noise were still in her ears. Johannes walked with her back to the Castle. "Can you imagine his daring to hit you in the eye?" she said. "But then he went off at once, he left with the Laird to go shooting. It was a frightfully unpleasant thing to happen. Victoria didn't sleep a wink all night, she told me." "Then she'll be able to sleep tonight," he answered. "When do you think you'll be going home again?" "Tomorrow. When are you coming to town?" "In the autumn. Can I meet you this afternoon?" She exclaimed: "Oh yes, do! You told me about your cave; you must show me that." "I'll come and fetch you," he said. On his way home he sat for a long while on a stone and pondered. A warm and happy idea had flashed upon him. * * * * * In the afternoon he walked up to the Castle, stopped outside and sent in a message for Camilla. While he stood waiting Victoria appeared for an instant at one of the first-floor windows; she stared down at him, turned round and disappeared into the room. Camilla came out and he took her to the quarry and the cave. He was in an unusually calm and happy mood, the young girl amused him, her light, cheerful talk fluttered about him like little blessings. Today the good spirits were near.... "I remember, Camilla, that you once gave me a dagger. It had a silver sheath. I put it away in a box with a lot of other things, as I had no use for it." "No, you had no use for it; but what then?" "Well, you see, I've lost it." "Oh I say, that was unlucky. But perhaps I can get a pair to it somewhere. I'll try." They walked towards home. "And do you remember the big medallion you gave me once? It was a thick, heavy gold one and stood in a frame. You had written some kind of words on it." "Yes, I remember." "Last year while I was abroad I gave away that medallion, Camilla." "Oh no, you didn't? Fancy your giving it away! Why did you?" "It was a young friend of mine who had it as a souvenir. He was a Russian. He fell on his knees and thanked me for it."