She had spoken of Fru Beck's unhappy married life with a certain significance, as if it bore upon their own.

That was evidently it--she had been talking to Fru Beck; she must have been put up to it by her old friend.
"What gratitude I do owe these Becks!" he exclaimed; "it seems as if every trouble must come from that owl's nest." "She has gone and thought all this at home here, concealing it from me the whole time, submitting, and saying nothing.

Now she has found her opportunity.

And over there, in Arendal, she could, of course, count upon being able to make her own terms against her husband, the unpopular pilot--could be sure of having every one on her side, from her aunt to these same Becks." Yes; and what was the real history of her connection with the Becks?
He had never had that matter satisfactorily cleared up.
"She stipulated that I should trust her--wouldn't hear mention of a doubt.

But I have never felt satisfied about that business." "I'll not be fooled by you any longer," he cried then, flying into a sudden passion, and striding up and down the room.