"Oh, ye valleys! oh, ye mountains!
Oh, ye groves, and crystal fountains!
How I love, as liberty,
By turns to come and visit ye!"
_The Complete Angler._
Axel's joy at the unexpected pleasure of seeing his sister and Hardy
was unbounded, but when he heard he was going on board the yacht for a
cruise, and then to return home, he was wild with delight.
They went to the theatre that evening, and to Rosenborg the next day,
and the yacht left in the afternoon for Elsinore, and anchored for the
night.
Mrs. Hardy preferred being at sea to staying longer at Copenhagen. The
theatre with its excellent acting interested her, but the knowledge of
the language was wanting, and detracted from her enjoyment of
Holberg's dramatic genius, which for so many years has interested the
Danish public. Rosenborg, with its rich and varied treasures for four
hundred years, was a greater enjoyment to her, and is alone worth a
visit to Copenhagen.
"We have supplies and coal on board, mother," said Hardy, "and we can
run up the Swedish coast to Gothenborg and see the falls at
Trollhaettan, by starting early, and can then cruise down the Danish
coast."
"I think, John," said Mrs. Hardy, "I would rather go up to
Christiania; we can write Pastor Lindal from Elsinore that we shall do
so. We can lay to during the darker hours at many places, or, as we
take a pilot from here to Christiania, can run on. The weather is
calm."
Helga had heard what Mrs. Hardy had said, and, as Hardy looked at her,
she said, "Where your mother pleases."
The next day, at breakfast time after English fashion, the yacht was
fifty miles from Elsinore, and sea life began. The decks were clean
and everything in order. The fore-staysail was set, as well as the
fore and main sails, to catch the wind from the westward, and the
yacht ran steadily, to the comfort of all on board.
Hardy had every arrangement made for his mother's comfort, her chair
and wraps and footstool were all placed on deck, as he knew she liked,
and Helga watched him doing this with pleasure.
"I think, Helga," he said, "it may interest you to inspect the yacht.
Axel has been everywhere except up the masts." And Hardy showed her
the engines, the many contrivances for economizing space, the compact
little cooking-galley, and the berths for his own use and friends, as
well as the little library they had on board, the stores and pantry.
"And now," he said, "as the sea air will make you hungry, and you are
not accustomed to an English breakfast, what would you like for lunch?
There is a list of soups, also preserved meats, and a lot of things
sent from Hardy Place."
"I will have anything that has come from Hardy Place," said Helga; and
Hardy gave directions accordingly, to her subsequent approval.
They walked up and down the deck, and Hardy pointed out the different
places on the coast on the chart, stopping at times to speak to
Mrs. Hardy.
"I think this is the most delightful way of travelling. Hardy," said
Helga, "and I recollect that you said so when you drove us to Esbjerg.
There is more living interest at sea; the changes and contrasts are
greater, that is, in natural features."
"You are right, Helga, except that you call me Hardy. Now, my name is
John, positively John."
"I cannot pronounce it as you do," said Helga, "and I am afraid you
will laugh at me. The name with us is spelt 'Jon,' pronounced 'Yon.'
We have also 'Johan,' pronounced 'Yohan.'"
"I am aware of the learning you exhibit, Helga; but, notwithstanding,
my name is John, and if you do not call me so, I shall be obliged to
kiss you until you do, and my mother will say I shall be quite
justified in taking that course."
Helga went and sat down by Mrs. Hardy.
"He is teasing me," she said, as she laid her head on Mrs. Hardy's
lap.
"John," said Mrs. Hardy, as she touched Helga's cheek, "you do not
take care of your Scandinavian princess; her skin is so thin and
clear, that this little cheek is at fever heat with the action of the
sun and wind. Tell my maid to bring the lotion I use, and a sponge."
"Thank you, Mrs. Hardy," said Helga, "but I do not mind the sun
burning me; it makes my face a little warm, that is all."
"She does not know how handsome she is, John," said Mrs. Hardy, in
French; "but her beauty lies in this, that there is nothing so
beautiful as what is true."
After lunch, John Hardy told one of his men to fetch some rope quoits,
to amuse Axel, and cleared part of the deck for the purpose. Helga,
however, joined in the game with the zest of a child; her clear voice
and laughter and natural grace made conquests of the yacht sailors.
"Uncommon neat about the spars!" exclaimed an old salt; "a smart craft
when she's got all her sails bent, I'll be bound."
"Well, pilot," said Hardy, "where can you put us in for shelter for
the night? We want to go up the Christiania Fjord by daylight, and
when the ladies will be on deck. It has, besides, been a long run for
the engineers."
"We shall have Frederikstad abeam at ten tonight, if she goes as she's
going, and we can lay off there until the morning," replied the pilot.
"There is no anger in the weather, and it will be a fine night. In
fact, there will be no night; we are close on St. Hans' night, the
longest day."
"We will keep the fires banked, anyway," said Hardy, "and set a
watch.''
"Yes, better weigh," said the pilot. "The chances are the custom-house
officers will board, and you had best keep your burgee and ensign
flying, as then they may not trouble you."
At six the wind fell, and the sails were taken in, and the sea was
soon without a ripple. Mrs. Hardy and Helga sat on deck after dinner,
enjoying the changing beauty of the shore and the soft tints that rest
on the northern lands at close of day. Hardy had wraps brought up from
below, to keep the dew off his mother and the Scandinavian princess,
and chatted with them.
When they determined to go below, Helga, in her Danish manner, shook
hands with Hardy, and said, "Tak for i dag" (thank you for to-day). "I
have never enjoyed life so much."
"Mother," said John, when Helga had gone, "you surprised me when you
said you would rather go up to Christiania; you did so that I might
see my princess for a few days when her mind is animated by what is
strikingly novel to her, so that the bright transparency of her
character should be more apparent. Thank you, my mother!"
"We have one heart, John," replied his mother.
John Hardy went on deck, anything but disposed to sleep. "Pass the
word to get up for drift-lines and two men to go in a boat fishing."
The night, or rather the softer daylight, was favourable for catching,
Pollock and one man rowing. John Hardy worked two lines and the other
man two. They pulled in round the islands and soon caught many fish,
which made a welcome addition to the breakfast-table the next day.
At eight they were under weigh, steaming up the grander scenery of the
Christiania Fjord. Helga had come on deck, and Hardy saw she was
interested in the scenery they were passing.
"We are in the Christiania Fjord," he said.
"How lovely and lake-like!" said Helga, when the breakfast-bell rang.
"Must we go below, John?"
"There is no need whatever, now that you have called me, John;" and he
directed her breakfast and his own to be brought on deck, and that his
mother should be informed they were having breakfast on deck, which
brought Mrs. Hardy up with them.
"We are making progress, mother," said Hardy, "and, for the first
time, I have been called John; but only under desperate threats."
"You will not let him tease me, Mrs. Hardy?" said Helga, with an
appealing look and earnest tone.
"Do you wish me to punish him?" said Mrs. Hardy, smiling. "Shall I
have him thrown overboard, or put in irons?"
"No, no!" cried Helga, who was doubtful how far the maternal authority
might extend amongst the English.
"Then we will both of us forgive him this time?" said Mrs. Hardy.
"Yes, I will, Mrs. Hardy," said Helga, with an earnestness that left
no doubt.
"Now then," said John, "as I have been condemned and pardoned, let us
have breakfast. I was afraid to go to sleep last night, so went
fishing, to catch some fish for breakfast, and here they are."
"Why, John, were you afraid to go to sleep?" asked Helga, anxiously.
"Because I knew I should dream of you, Helga," replied Hardy, "and
have not been in bed all night because of that, and because I went
fishing. Moreover, I suspect you of being a 'Mare,' your eyebrows grow
together, and I dread the nightmare."
"My eyebrows do not grow together," replied Helga, firmly.
"Let me see," said John; and he took her face between his hands, and
added, "I am not certain, I must look closer;" and kissed her between
the eyes.
"It is time for me to interfere," said John's mother; and she rang a
small handbell in the deckhouse.
"Oh, don't, mother!" said John, with a piteous look.
"Oh, Mrs. Hardy! what are you going to do with Him?" asked Helga, with
concern.
"First, he shall have no more breakfast, because he has finished,"
said Mrs. Hardy; "and then I will condemn him to----"
"No, no!" said Helga, beseechingly.
"I must," said Mrs. Hardy.
The great black-bearded steward came in to take away the breakfast
things.
"Do go away; you are not wanted!" said Helga; and she pushed him out,
and shut the door of the deck-house.
Mrs. Hardy got up and embraced her affectionately.
"Why," said she, "I was only going to condemn him to love you always,
all his life, and with all his heart. You must not mind if he teases a
little, all men do; but he is as good as gold, and as true as
yourself."
"Now, Helga," said John, "let the steward clear away, and have a walk
on deck. I will not tease you any more until next time. But where is
that boy Axel?"
Axel had become a favourite with the men, for English sailors like a
quick lad. He had an undying interest in knots and the contrivances on
board the yacht, and the men liked the little Dane, as they called
him. John Hardy sent a man to find him.
"He is down in the fok'sle, sir, learning knots off the men," said the
man, touching his cap.
"Axel is trying to learn our English way of tieing knots, Helga," said
Hardy, "and my men have taken him in charge. They will be kind to him,
and would teach a lad no harm."
"When you were with us last year, you were so thoughtful of every one,
and you were so kind; but when you tease me, I think you love me
less," said Helga, slowly; "and I see you are thoughtful still. But
why do you tease me?"
"Because I love you so; I do not know how to behave wisely," replied
John. "You called me a cool and calculating Englishman; but if you
knew how it hurt me when you said so, you would not have said what you
did."
Mrs. Hardy had come on deck, and Helga went to her. Mrs. Hardy saw she
was agitated, and was alarmed, but waited for Helga to speak.
"I know now he loved me from the first time we went to Rosendal," said
Helga, "and I have been so bad to him. What I have said and did was
hard."
"He understands it all, Helga, and there is no need for grief when you
are so happy in the certainty of John's truth," said Mrs. Hardy.
"Thank you; thank you!" said Helga. "I feel so weak against his
strength."
"Go and tell him so," said Mrs. Hardy, "if you feel so, and enjoy the
beautiful scenes he is taking you through."
"There is not the weirdness in the scenery here, Helga, as further
north, on the west coast of Norway. The hills here are rounder in
form, as if by the action of ice ages ago," said Hardy. "Your father
has often explained to you the action of glaciers, and how the large
stones or boulders found in Jutland were conveyed by the ice and left
where the ice grounded."
"It is lovely to pass a fresh prospect every minute," said Helga, "and
to sail so easily through the still waters. The sun is hotter here
than I think with us; it scalds more."
"Pass the word to get the awning up," said Hardy to one of his men;
and presently half a dozen willing hands had done it.
"How pleasant!" said Helga. "The draught of air under the awning makes
it feel so delightfully fresh. The colour of the foliage, the grass,
the rocks, and sea appear distinct in effect of colour, John; how is
that?"
"It is one of the many phases of nature," replied John. "The air is
very clear here, and it may be that the summer being so short, nature
paints in fresher colours."
"When shall we reach Christiania?" asked Helga.
"About three, as the yacht is going; the order I have given is, to run
forty revolutions, that is a little more than half speed," replied
Hardy. "If you wish to reach Christiania earlier, I will give the
order for full speed."
"You must do what your mother wishes, John," said Helga.
"I am," replied John; "her wishes are that I should consult yours.
Now, for instance, we shall get to Christiania at three; what would
you like to see this afternoon?"
"Oscarshall," said Helga, "and Tidemand's pictures is what I long to
see; but we had best go there to-morrow. We can take a walk this
afternoon."
"And come back to dinner and go to the theatre?" added John.
The New Palace came in view about two, and then Akershuus Castle, and
the yacht was put in her berth by the pilot.
Mrs. Hardy declined to go ashore, as she said she should be too
fatigued to go to the theatre, and John had a walk with his princess.
He tried to inveigle her into saying that she wanted something, that
he might get it for her; but his sly ways were detected.
At the theatre a French Vaudeville was acted, which John thought his
mother was greatly tired of and would have left, but Helga's interest
at being in a foreign theatre, and seeing so many strange faces, was
so apparent that Mrs. Hardy would not leave. The night when they came
out of the theatre was beautiful, and John, at his mother's wish,
steered the yacht's gig a little out of the harbour before they joined
the yacht.
The next day was Helga's birthday, her twenty-first, and at eight
o'clock, Norsk time, the yacht was dressed with bunting.
Before Helga had finished dressing, Mrs. Hardy's maid came into her
state-room, with a small packet, containing a handsome turquoise ring
from Mrs. Hardy, and a leather case from John Hardy, with the initials
"H. H." There was a slight blush on her cheek as she remarked this.
Her name was to be Helga Hardy.
"Mr. Hardy has directed me to show you the contents of the
dressing-case, as you may not understand how to open the secret
drawer," said Mrs. Hardy's maid. "This is a little gold key, and opens
the dressing-case; there is scent, tooth-powder, and soap, and the
whole is ready for use. And this is the way the jewel drawer opens;
you press this knob, and it flies open, and is filled with the
jewellery Mr. Hardy thought you might like. When you wish to shut the
drawer, you push it so, and it closes with a spring."
Mrs. Hardy's maid opened the jewel drawer again, and left it for Helga
to examine its contents. The initials were engraved as a monogram on
different articles, even the ivory brushes had them. Mrs. Hardy had
told her that light blue suited her, and there was a turquoise
bracelet in good taste, and several rings, some of which did not fit
her, as John Hardy when he bought her betrothal ring in Copenhagen had
not been able to get them altered, as his stay in Copenhagen was
short. Her first impulse was to decline such a costly present, next
she thought, "He cannot have told his mother." The breakfast bell
rang, and she went into the saloon where breakfast was served, and
kissed Mrs. Hardy, whose present she wore and thanked her warmly. John
Hardy wished her many happy returns of the day in a kindly Danish
phrase.
"But how do you like John's present, my child?" said Mrs. Hardy.
Helga looked at John. She saw at once that his mother not only knew
all about it, but had probably suggested it. "I thought it too costly
to accept," said Helga.
John put his hands on her two shoulders and shook her gently. "You
must not," he said in Danish, "be stiff-necked on your birthday. My
mother bought what I have given you in London, and the jewellery was
sent to Copenhagen for us to select from. It is all my mother's
choice."
"In the winter?" said Helga.
"Yes, my child, in the winter. I understood John, although he had so
many doubts and fears. He told me so much about you that I ordered the
dressing-case, which John has paid for," said Mrs. Hardy, "and if I
were you I would thank him."
She thanked him in the pretty Danish manner that so well became her,
and said, "Thank you, Mr. Hardy; you are so good to me."
If the black-bearded steward had not come in at this moment, it is to
be feared that John would have run the risk of being summarily
adjudicated upon as before described.
"Where is Axel?" asked John.
"He is out fishing, sir; been out since six o'clock, with one of the
men forard," replied the steward. This was explained to Helga, and
breakfast proceeded.
"I think," said Mrs. Hardy, "that Helga should write her father, and
say that we have arrived here and shall leave to-morrow evening; and,
John, you could ask him to meet us at Aarhus when we arrived. I fear
the worthy Pastor may think you have carried off his daughter, John."
"The very course I intend to take, mother, and in which you have aided
and abetted, and I bless and thank you for it," said John.