Unjustly so, since
he himself was perfectly satisfied with her, and was apparently wholly
absorbed by a union which had had its share in isolating him from the
world. His wife was even more theologically inclined than himself, and
appeared anonymously--without anyone having a suspicion of the fact--as
a religious authoress. Still, she was exceedingly kind to anyone,
regardless of their private opinions, who had found favour in the poet's
eyes.
The dry little old lady was the only one of her sex with whom Paludan-
Mueller was intimate. He regarded all other women, however young and
beautiful, as mere works of art. But his delight in them was charming in
him, just because of its freedom from sense. One evening that he was
giving a little banquet in honour of a Swedish lady painter, named
Ribbing, a woman of rare beauty, he asked her to stand by the side of
the bust of the Venus of Milo, that the resemblance, which really
existed between them, might be apparent. His innocent, enthusiastic
delight in the likeness was most winning.
IX.
Two other celebrated personages whom I met for the first time a little
later were Bjoernstjerne Bjoernson and Magdalene Thoresen.
I became acquainted with Bjoernstjerne Bjoernson at the Nutzhorns, their
son, Ditlev, being a passionate admirer of his.
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