But I warn you that I am firmly resolved to make my Hulda the happiest woman in the country.
Yes, I am." "If you but knew how easy that will be!" replied Hulda, offering him her hand.

"Am I not that already, and is there a home in all Dal as pleasant as ours ?" Dame Hansen hastily averted her head.
"So the matter is settled ?" asked Ole, cheerfully.
"Yes," replied Joel.
"And settled beyond recall ?" "Certainly." "And you feel no regret, Hulda ?" "None whatever, my dear Ole." "I think, however, that it would be better not to appoint the day for your marriage until after your return," remarked Joel.
"Very well, but it will go hard with me if I do not return in less than a year to lead Hulda to the church at Moel, where our friend, Pastor Andersen, will not refuse to make his best prayer for us!" And it was in this way that the marriage of Hulda Hansen and Ole Kamp had been decided upon.
The young sailor was to go aboard his vessel a week later; but before they parted the lovers were formally betrothed in accordance with the touching custom of Scandinavian countries.
In simple and honest Norway lovers are almost invariably publicly betrothed before marriage.

Sometimes the marriage is not solemnized until two or three years afterward, but one must not suppose that the betrothal is simply an interchange of vows which depend only upon the honesty of the parties interested.

No, the obligation is much more sacred, and even if this act of betrothal is not binding in the eyes of the law, it is, at least, so regarded by that universal law called custom.
So, in this case, it was necessary to make arrangements for a ceremony over which Pastor Andersen should preside.

There was no minister in Dal, nor in any of the neighboring hamlets.