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to the saeters； says that in rainy weather a circle of clear sky can
be seen over the Swedish castle； and that the heavens are always blue
above Seraphita's head when she is on the mountain。 Many women hear
the tones of a mighty organ when Seraphita enters the church； and ask
their neighbors earnestly if they too do not hear them。 But my
daughter； for whom during the last two years Seraphita has shown much
affection； has never heard this music； and has never perceived the
heavenly perfumes which； they say； make the air fragrant about her
when she moves。 Minna； to be sure； has often on returning from their
walks together expressed to me the delight of a young girl in the
beauties of our spring…time； in the spicy odors of budding larches and
pines and the earliest flowers； but after our long winters what can be
more natural than such pleasure？ The companionship of this so…called
spirit has nothing so very extraordinary in it； has it； my child？〃
〃The secrets of that spirit are not mine；〃 said Minna。 〃Near it I know
all； away from it I know nothing； near that exquisite life I am no
longer myself； far from it I forget all。 The time we pass together is
a dream which my memory scarcely retains。 I may have heard yet not
remember the music which the women tell of； in that presence； I may
have breathed celestial perfumes； seen the glory of the heavens； and
yet be unable to recollect them here。〃
〃What astonishes me most；〃 resumed the pastor； addressing Wilfrid； 〃is
to notice that you suffer from being near her。〃
〃Near her！〃 exclaimed the stranger； 〃she has never so much as let me
touch her hand。 When she saw me for the first time her glance
intimidated me； she said： 'You are welcome here； for you were to
come。' I fancied that she knew me。 I trembled。 It is fear that forces
me to believe in her。〃
〃With me it is love；〃 said Minna； without a blush。
〃Are you making fun of me？〃 said Monsieur Becker； laughing good…
humoredly； 〃you my daughter； in calling yourself a Spirit of Love； and
you； Monsieur Wilfrid； in pretending to be a Spirit of Wisdom？〃
He drank a glass of beer and so did not see the singular look which
Wilfrid cast upon Minna。
〃Jesting apart；〃 resumed the old gentleman； 〃I have been much
astonished to hear that these two mad…caps ascended to the summit of
the Falberg； it must be a girlish exaggeration； they probably went to
the crest of a ledge。 It is impossible to reach the peaks of the
Falberg。〃
〃If so； father；〃 said Minna； in an agitated voice； 〃I must have been
under the power of a spirit； for indeed we reached the summit of the
Ice…Cap。〃
〃This is really serious；〃 said Monsieur Becker。 〃Minna is always
truthful。〃
〃Monsieur Becker；〃 said Wilfrid； 〃I swear to you that Seraphita
exercises such extraordinary power over me that I know no language in
which I can give you the least idea of it。 She has revealed to me
things known to myself alone。〃
〃Somnambulism！〃 said the old man。 〃A great many such effects are
related by Jean Wier as phenomena easily explained and formerly
observed in Egypt。〃
〃Lend me Swedenborg's theosophical works；〃 said Wilfrid； 〃and let me
plunge into those gulfs of light；you have given me a thirst for
them。〃
Monsieur Becker took down a volume and gave it to his guest； who
instantly began to read it。 It was about nine o'clock in the evening。
The serving…woman brought in the supper。 Minna made tea。 The repast
over； each turned silently to his or her occupation； the pastor read
the Incantations； Wilfrid pursued the spirit of Swedenborg； and the
young girl continued to sew； her mind absorbed in recollections。 It
was a true Norwegian eveningpeaceful； studious； and domestic； full
of thoughts； flowers blooming beneath the snow。 Wilfrid； as he
devoured the pages of the prophet； lived by his inner senses only； the
pastor； looking up at times from his book； called Minna's attention to
the absorption of their guest with an air that was half…serious； half…
jesting。 To Minna's thoughts the face of Seraphitus smiled upon her as
it hovered above the clouds of smoke which enveloped them。 The clock
struck twelve。 Suddenly the outer door was opened violently。 Heavy but
hurried steps； the steps of a terrified old man； were heard in the
narrow vestibule between the two doors； then David burst into the
parlor。
〃Danger； danger！〃 he cried。 〃Come！ come； all！ The evil spirits are
unchained！ Fiery mitres are on their heads！ Demons； Vertumni； Sirens！
they tempt her as Jesus was tempted on the mountain！ Come； come！ and
drive them away。〃
〃Do you not recognize the language of Swedenborg？〃 said the pastor；
laughing； to Wilfrid。 〃Here it is； pure from the source。〃
But Wilfrid and Minna were gazing in terror at old David； who； with
hair erect； and eyes distraught； his legs trembling and covered with
snow； for he had come without snow…shoes； stood swaying from side to
side； as if some boisterous wind were shaking him。
〃Is he harmed？〃 cried Minna。
〃The devils hope and try to conquer her；〃 replied the old man。
The words made Wilfrid's pulses throb。
〃For the last five hours she has stood erect； her eyes raised to
heaven and her arms extended； she suffers； she cries to God。 I cannot
cross the barrier； Hell has posted the Vertumni as sentinels。 They
have set up an iron wall between her and her old David。 She wants me；
but what can I do？ Oh； help me！ help me！ Come and pray！〃
The old man's despair was terrible to see。
〃The Light of God is defending her；〃 he went on； with infectious
faith； 〃but oh！ she might yield to violence。〃
〃Silence； David！ you are raving。 This is a matter to be verified。 We
will go with you；〃 said the pastor； 〃and you shall see that there are
no Vertumni； nor Satans； nor Sirens； in that house。〃
〃Your father is blind；〃 whispered David to Minna。
Wilfrid； on whom the reading of Swedenborg's first treatise； which he
had rapidly gone through； had produced a powerful effect； was already
in the corridor putting on his skees； Minna was ready in a few
moments； and both left the old men far behind as they darted forward
to the Swedish castle。
〃Do you hear that cracking sound？〃 said Wilfrid。
〃The ice of the fiord stirs；〃 answered Minna； 〃the spring is coming。〃
Wilfrid was silent。 When the two reached the courtyard they were
conscious that they had neither the faculty nor the strength to enter
the house。
〃What think you of her？〃 asked Wilfrid。
〃See that radiance！〃 cried Minna； going towards the window of the
salon。 〃He is there！ How beautiful！ O my Seraphitus； take me！〃
The exclamation was uttered inwardly。 She saw Seraphitus standing
erect； lightly swathed in an opal…tinted mist that disappeared at a
little distance from the body； which seemed almost phosphorescent。
〃How beautiful she is！〃 cried Wilfrid； mentally。
Just then Monsieur Becker arrived； followed by David； he saw his
da