Marie Tarnowska

ool. It is strange how the sight of that yellow wool hurts and repels me, but I cannot find words in which to express it, I seem unable to speak; and mother crochets on calmly, with quic

black tongue round and round as he clambers about the cage. I cry out in terror: "Why-why do they bring me things that frighten me?" And I burst into tears. Every one gazes at

hear myself weeping loudly; then everything is blotted out and vanishes-parrot, Vassili, yellow wool, Olga-nothing rem

olemn at the foot of the great staircase. He gave me his arm with much ceremony and led me to my place, wher

d, clapping my hands; and they all laugh

ay become one. Prince Ivan

oi?" All the gladness

aimed Olga, with a bitter smile; and

glancing at my mother, whose eyes were fixed upon her

itting his brows. But my mother lifted her eyes for an instant and l

assili Tarnowsky has asked to marry you." And she added, with a to

l this happy world. Every other girl on earth-poor luckless girls who could not marry Vassili-would envy me. On his arm I should pass proudly and serenely

T O'

ice will fall on Troub

li," cried O

h, that I promise," I whispered, kissing the little pink ea

fulfil thi

s mother!-I laid my hand on her arm. I noticed that she was trembl

ur little Mura to be happy, y

memory always struck terror to our souls-had awakened in him. I saw Olga and my mother turn pale. Nevertheless I laughed and kissed h

rightened. She sat white and rigid, with scarcely fluttering breath; suddenly in her transparent eyes the pupils

dress, fanning her; while I stood aside trembling and woeb

nd wicked, that I should marry Vassili and

ly be allowed to see us o

married

··

s that my poor dear mother, being at her wits

convulsions." But as soon as I had begun I could not stop. After I had voluntarily gnashed my teeth they seemed to become locked as in a vice; my fists that I had purpose

in haste from Kieff,

of epilepsy, due to t

. "Not the swing! It

trembled

ve them with all our hearts. And oh! the tragedy of not understanding this until it is too lat

ied Va

nce refused to have anything to do with me. He denied

t that tiresome old man," said V

d only entreat Vassili to

of a broken heart: but she is really too young to be any one's wife-she is but a child!

ying much attention. "That's all right. I

, lifting ecstatic eyes to

sweets and kisses!" and he laugh

ing my favorite song: 'Oh distant steppes, o

ome then, Marie Tarnowska!" and he drew my arm under his, patting

ld to know that name; I could have wished that every one seeing me should s