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These were selfish thoughts； no doubt； but they were a lover's selfishness；
and； as such； bore a close kinship to all that is purest and best in human
nature。
It is one of the tragic facts of this life； that a relation so unequal as that
which existed between Halfdan and Edith； is at all possible。 As for Edith；
I must admit that she was well aware that her teacher was in love with her。
Women have wonderfully keen senses for phenomena of that kind； and it
is an illusion if any one imagines； as our Norseman did； that he has locked
his secret securely in the hidden chamber of his heart。 In fleeting
intonations； unconscious glances and attitudes； and through a hundred
other channels it will make its way out； and the bereaved jailer may still
clasp his key in fierce triumph； never knowing that he has been robbed。
It was of course no fault of Edith's that she had become possessed of
Halfdan's heart…secret。 She regarded it as on the whole rather an absurd
affair； and prized it very lightly。 That a love so strong and yet so humble；
so destitute of hope and still so unchanging； reverent and faithful； had
something grand and touching in it； had never occurred to her。 It is a
truism to say that in our social code the value of a man's character is
determined by his position； and fine traits in a foreigner （unless he should
happen to be something very great） strike us rather as part of a supposed
mental alienism； and as such； naturally suspicious。 It is rather disgraceful
than otherwise to have your music teacher in love with you； and critical
friends will never quite banish the suspicion that you have encouraged
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TALES FROM TWO HEMISPHERES。
him。
Edith had； in her first delight at the discovery of Halfdan's talent；
frankly admitted him to a relation of apparent equality。 He was a man of
culture； had the manners and bearing of a gentleman； and had none of
those theatrical airs which so often raise a sort of invisible wall between
foreigners and Americans。 Her mother； who loved to play the patron；
especially to young men； had invited him to dinner…parties and introduced
him to their friends； until almost every one looked upon him as a protege
of the family。 He appeared so well in a parlor； and had really such a
distinguished presence； that it was a pleasure to look at him。 He was
remarkably free from those obnoxious traits which generalizing American
travelers have led us to believe were inseparable from foreign birth； his
finger…nails were in no way conspicuous； he did not； as a French count； a
former adorer of Edith's； had done； indulge an unmasculine taste for
diamond rings （possibly because he had none）； his politeness was
unobtrusive and subdued； and of his accent there was just enough left to
give an agreeable color of individuality to his speech。 But； for all that；
Edith could never quite rid herself of the impression that he was intensely
un…American。 There was a certain idyllic quiescence about him； a child…
like directness and simplicity； and a total absence of 〃push；〃 which were
startlingly at variance with the spirit of American life。 An American
could never have been content to remain in an inferior position without
trying； in some way； to better his fortunes。 But Halfdan could stand still
and see； without the faintest stirring of envy； his plebeian friend Olson；
whose education and talents could bear no comparison with his own； rise
rapidly above him； and apparently have no desire to emulate him。 He
could sit on a cricket in a corner； with Clara on his lap； and two or three
little girls nestling about him； and tell them fairy stories by the hour； while
his kindly face beamed with innocent happiness。 And if Clara； to coax
him into continuing the entertainment； offered to kiss him； his measure of
joy was full。 This fair child； with her affectionate ways； and her
confiding prattle； wound herself ever more closely about his homeless
heart； and he clung to her with a touching devotion。 For she was the only
one who seemed to be unconscious of the difference of blood； who had not
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TALES FROM TWO HEMISPHERES。
yet learned that she was an American and hea foreigner。
VI。
Three years had passed by and still the situation was unchanged。
Halfdan still taught music and told fairy stories to the children。 He had a
good many more pupils now than three years ago； although he had made
no effort to solicit patronage； and had never tried to advertise his talent by
what he regarded as vulgar and inartistic display。 But Mrs。 Van Kirk；
who had by this time discovered his disinclination to assert himself； had
been only the more active； had 〃talked him up〃 among her aristocratic
friends； had given musical soirees； at which she had coaxed him to play
the principal role； and had in various other ways exerted herself in his
behalf。 It was getting to be quite fashionable to admire his quiet；
unostentatious style of playing； which was so far removed from the noisy
bravado and clap…trap then commonly in vogue。 Even professional
musicians began to indorse him； and some； who had discovered that 〃there
was money in him；〃 made him tempting offers for a public engagement。
But； with characteristic modesty； he distrusted their verdict； his sensitive
nature shrank from anything which had the appearance of self…assertion or
display。
But Edithah； if it had not been for Edith he might have found
courage to enter at the door of fortune； which was now opened ajar。 That
fame； if he should gain it； would bring him any nearer to her； was a
thought that was alien to so unworldly a temperament as his。 And any
action that had no bearing upon his relation to her； left him coldseemed
unworthy of the effort。 If she had asked him to play in public； if she had
required of him to go to the North Pole； or to cut his own throat； I verily
believe he would have done it。 And at last Edith did ask him to play。
She and Olson had plotted together； and from the very friendliest motives
agreed to play into each other's hands。
〃If you only WOULD consent to play；〃 said she； in her own persuasive
way； one day as they had finished their lesson； 〃we should all be so happy。
Only think how proud we should be of your success； for you know there is
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nothing you can't do in the way of music if you really want to。〃
〃Do you really think so？〃 exclaimed he； while his eyes suddenly grew
large and luminous。
〃Indeed I do；〃 said Edith； emphatically。
〃And ifif I played well；〃 faltered he； 〃would it really please you？〃
〃Of course it would；〃 cried Edith； laughing； 〃how can you ask such a
foolish question？〃
〃Because I hardly dared to believe it。〃
〃Now listen to me；〃 continued the girl； leaning forward in her chair；
and beaming all over with kindly officiousness； 〃now for once you must
be rational and do just what I tell you。 I shall never like you again if you
oppose me in this； for I have set my heart upon it； you must promise
beforehand that you will be good and not make any objection。 Do you
hear？〃
When Edith assumed this tone toward him； she might well have made
him promise to perform miracles。 She was too intent upon her
benevolent scheme to heed the possible inferences which he might draw
from her sudden display of interest。
〃Then you promise？〃 repeated she； eagerly； as he hesitated to answer。
〃Yes； I promise。〃
〃Now； you must not be surprised； but mamma and I have made
arrangements wit