Their expression was not to be caught at once: they told of
both meditation and resolve, and hinted at irony or badinage,
which works so queerly when it comes from deep ground. The other
lady was "burgherly-genteel," a handsome, cultivated girl, had
certainly also some soul, but yet was far less busy with a world
in her own heart than with the world of fashion. It was about the
world, the world of Copenhagen, that Miss Brandt at this moment
was giving Miss Hjelm an account, interrupted by the boughs and
branches, and although Miss Hjelm was not, nun-like, indifferent
either to fashions or incidents in high life, the manner in which
Miss Brandt unmistakably laid her soul therein, caused her to go
thus politely before.
"But you have heard about Emmy Ibsen's marriage?" asked Miss
Brandt.
"Yes, it was about a month ago, I think."
"Yes, I was bridesmaid."
"Indeed!" said Miss Hjelm, in a voice which atoned for her
brevity.
"The party was at the shooting-ground."
"So!" said Miss Hjelm again, with as correct an intonation as if
she had learned it for "I don't care." "Take care, Miss Brandt,"
she added, stooping to avoid an apple-branch.
"Take care?--oh, for that branch!" said Miss Brandt, and avoided
it as charmingly and coquettishly as if it had been living.
"It was very gay," she added, "even more so than wedding-parties
commonly are; but this was caused a good deal by Counsellor
Bagger."
"So!"
"Yes, he was very gay .
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