"Nay, _bonde_, we do not believe that the Lord accepteth murderers,
without they repent themselves of their backslidings,--but if with
penitence they turn to Him even at the eleventh hour, haply they may be
numbered among the elect."
Gueldmar's eyes flashed. "I know not thy creed, woman, nor care to learn
it! But, all the same, thou art deceived in thy vain imaginings. The
Eternal Justice cannot err--call that justice Christ or Odin as thou
wilt. I tell you, the soul of the innocent bird that perishes in the
drifting snow is near and dear to its Creator--but the tainted soul that
had yonder vile body for its tenement, was but a flame of the evil one,
and accursed from the beginning,--it must return to him from whom it
came. A heaven for such as she? Nay--rather the lowest circle of the
furthest and fiercest everlasting fires--and thither do I commend her!
Farewell!"
Rapidly muffling himself up in his wraps, he strode out of the house. He
sprang into his sledge, throwing a generous gratuity to the small
Laplander who had taken charge of it, and who now ventured to inquire--
"Has the good Lovisa left us?"
Gueldmar burst into a hard laugh.
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