"Will the gentlemen please take ladies?" called out the Provst, himself offering his arm to the tall wife of the Squire.
A race took place among the elder gentlemen for Miss Ragnhild. Jensen, who was nearest to her, was the happy man, and he conducted her to the dining-room with uplifted nose.
Emanuel bowed to Mrs Aggerbölle, who remained behind when the other gentlemen had taken their ladies. The peasants took their own wives by the hand, and brought up the rear of the solemn procession in silence.
In the middle of the table, under a large hanging lamp, stood a tall epergne with flowers. There were tall, seven-branched candelabra at each end of the table. The napkins on each plate were in the shape of a bishop's mitre, under which a piece of bread was hidden. The table was spread with a collection of delicate viands. There was fish in different coloured jelly, birds stuffed with forcemeat, several kinds of salads in large blue glass bowls, lobsters and sardines in tins, besides a host of other things, all arranged with Miss Ragnhild's characteristic and refined taste.
Although the menu did not offer any surprises, as it was always much the same on these occa-
