"
"Not really? An elderly gentleman--two hours a day--sixpence an hour?"
"No!"
"Ah! in that case, I again ask pardon," said I. "It is perhaps on the
first floor. I only wanted, in any case, to recommend a man I know, in
whom I am interested; my name is Wedel-Jarlsberg," [Footnote: The last
family bearing title of nobility in Norway.] and I bowed again and drew
back. The young lady blushed crimson, and in her embarrassment could not
stir from the spot, but stood and stared after me as I descended the
stairs.
My calm had returned to me, and my head was clear. The lady's saying that
she had nothing for me today had acted upon me like an icy shower. So it
had gone so far with me that any one might point at me, and say to
himself, "There goes a beggar--one of those people who get their food
handed out to them at folk's back-doors!"
I halted outside an eating-house in Moeller Street, and sniffed the fresh
smell of meat roasting inside; my hand was already upon the door-handle,
and I was on the point of entering without any fixed purpose, when I
bethought myself in time, and left the spot. On reaching the market, and
seeking for a place to rest for a little, I found all the benches
occupied, and I sought in vain all round outside the church for a quiet
seat, where I could sit down.
Naturally, I told myself, gloomily--naturally, naturally; and I commenced
to walk again.
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