Niels refused to meet anyone for about a month. By the time he was willing to see Runa again, winter had already ended.
The weather was warmer, although snow fell later at night. Runa trod down the road toward the Rowinski house, which was less icy now, after receiving a positive update about Niels' condition. The servants said that he was now eating more properly. There was also one occasion that he personally asked about Runa.
She was excited to see Niels. However, the meeting was not what she was expected to be.
"I didn't ask you to come here. I simply asked the servant where you have been. It didn't mean I want to see you," he said curtly.
