He never went up there sihe day when he and his old rvant had arrahe room as it ud to be.
And Finn was glad of this. He was so afraid lest that should happen that a long time pasd before he could suppress his terror when he heard any one ing. And, even when he had recovered his posure, he khat it would happen sooner or later and that the day of its happening would be a gloomy one.
For he well uood the eternal loving question in Cordt’s eyes and it hurt him and frightened him. He dreaded the craving in his affe, which was greater than a father’s. It was like that of a sn for the heir who is to occupy the throer him.
And Finn could not take the reins of empire in his slack hands or bear the pressure of the upon his head, which ached at the mere thought of it.
But Fru Adelheid often came; and they two were fortable up there, in the old room.
She came with no craving; and, if she was doubtful aless, as she often was, since Finn had moved up into the old room, then she would be quite silent when the door clod behind her.
Silent like Finn… and like the big chairs and the jar with the man writhing through thorns… silent like the spinning-wheel, which had whirred merrily every evening for many a good year and stood as it was with thread upon its spindle.
He looked at her and smiled and nodded when she spoke. He himlf talked . . .for long at a time and then stopped, without its making any difference, and listeo the rippling of the fountain and the voices in the old room, which always talked to him and plai when Fru Adelheid was with him.
He told her that, when she came, the room was no longer his own.
For then he felt like a stranger, a man of another period, who should suddenly find himlf in an old ruined castle, full of marvellous dangers and adventures, and stand face to face with the last of tho who had lived the castle’s rich, wonderful life.
Once he spoke her name aloud just as she was entering at the door. It was dark in the room and his void figure were so like Cordt’s that she grew pale and frightened. But he did his and she forced a laugh and soon fot it.