Page:Karl Gjellerup - Minna, A novel - 1913.djvu/13

 garden, which I had already entered, consisted of a series of terraces connected by gravelled pathways between flowering shrubs. But notwithstanding that the very attractions of the place made it somewhat alarming to a poor, Polytechnic student, I still determined to accept the smallest of the attics, regardless of cost, if this palace would take me in at all; for I was heartily disgusted with running about, as I had been doing, and knocking at all doors.

Then, however, a party of ladies and gentlemen appeared on the verandah, and the house looked to me less and less like a Pension. Indeed, I felt relieved when a maid, who, at a turn of the path, nearly ran into me, rescued me from my dilemma, though in a very superior and mocking way, by saying—

"No, indeed, we do not let rooms here, the house you are seeking can be seen at the very top of the hill."

So far it had been hidden by the house before me, and I was by no means enchanted when I caught sight of it, for it stood out with a certain bold nakedness against the blue sky, and, as a matter of fact, with hardly so much as a bush to shelter it. Altogether it looked so brand new that I felt convinced that it could never have been inhabited.

I had again to pass down the valley, to cross over the stream, and crawl about a hundred and fifty feet up an arrangement of paths and stone steps to the edge of the hill. The house did not look more habitable on a nearer view; heaps of gravel, pieces of stone and planks were scattered about, and most of the windows had still to be finished. On entering I encountered a horrible draught, the door banged to, and from the basement I heard a coarse woman's voice hurling forth the many-worded