Works of Björnstjerne Björnson Volume 5

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882 edition. Excerpt: ... " But Magnhild swept past her and went into the sitting-room without vouchsafing a reply. She took her stand by one of the windows opening on the street. "Aye, if you do not feel this to be a disgrace, Magnhild, you have sunk lower than I thought." Magnhild had just leaned her head against the window frame. She now drew it up sufliciently to look at Ronnaug and smile, then she bowed forward again. But this smile had sent the blood coursing up to Ronnaug's cheeks, for she had felt their joint youth compared in it. " I know what you are thinking of, "---here Ronnaug's voice trembled, -" and I could not have believed you to be so unkind, although at our very first meeting I plainly saw that I had made a mistake in feeling such a foolish longing for you." But in a moment she felt herself that these words were too strong, and she paused. It was, moreover, not her design to quarrel with Magnhild; quite the contrary! And so she was indignant with Magnhild for having led her so far to forget herself. But had it not been thus from the beginning? With what eager warmth had she not come, and how coldly had she not been received. And from this train of thought her words now proceeded. " I could think of nothing more delightful in the world than to show you my child. There was, indeed, no one else to whom I could show it. And you did not even care to see it; you did not so much as want to take the trouble to dress yourself." She strove at first to speak calmly, but before she finished what she was saying, her voice quivered, and she burst into tears. Suddenly Magnhild darted away from the window toward the kitchen door--but that was just where Riinnaug was; then toward the bed-room...