"But," he added, "consequently, it is my own friends who
have spread the rumor of my marriage. Friends indeed! A wife is a
man's only friend. It is hard, suicidal, to remain a bachelor."
On the appointed day he went too early. Mrs. Canuteson was yet
alone. She was surprised at his congratulatory visit; but,
however, as it was a courtesy, the surprise was mingled with
delight, and Bagger was not the man whose visit a lady would not
receive with pleasure. With that ingenuity of wit one can
sometimes have, just when the heart is full and taken possession
of, he did wonders, and entertained the lady in so lively a manner
that she did not perceive how long a time he was passing with her.
As the door at length opened, the lady exclaimed:
"Oh, that is charming! Heartily welcome! Thank you for last time,
[Footnote: In Sweden and Norway when the guest meets the host or
hostess for the first time after an entertainment, the first
greeting on the part of the former is always, "Thank you for the
last time."] and for all the good in your house! How does your
mother do? This amiable young lady's acquaintance I made last
summer when we were in the country, and at last she is so good as
to keep her promise and visit me. Counsellor Bagger--Miss Hjelm."
The Counsellor wasn't sure that it was She, but he was convinced
that it ought to be. Not to speak of Ingeborg Hjelm's being really
amiable and distinguee, his heart was now prepared, as a
photographer's glass which has received collodium, and took the
first girl picture that met it.
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