The compromise was accepted and Louisa was called in to receive
Frithiof's embrace and timid kiss. They both wept for reasons which
neither of them understood. They felt ashamed of themselves for the
rest of the day. Afterwards everything went on as before, but the
motherliness of aunts and sisters knew no bounds. They furnished the
wing, arranged the rooms, settled everything; Frithiof was never
consulted in the matter.
The preparations for the wedding were completed. Old friends, buried
in the provinces, were hunted up and invited to be present at the
ceremony.
The wedding took place.
On the morning after his wedding day Frithiof was up early. He left
his bed-room as quickly as possible, pretending that his presence was
necessary in the fields.
Louisa, who was still sleepy, made no objection. But as he was going
out she called after him:
"You won't forget breakfast at eleven!"
It sounded like a command.
He went to his den, put on a shooting coat and waterproof boots and
took his gun, which he kept concealed in his wardrobe. Then he went
out into the wood.
It was a beautiful October morning. Everything was covered with hoar
frost. He walked quickly as if he were afraid of being called back, or
as if he were trying to escape from something.
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