Seite 295 von 788

She heard the call "Zosia"-that was her aunt's voice! She

sprinkled out all at once to the birds the remnant of the

dainties, and twirling the sieve as a dancer a tambourine and

beating it rhythmically, the playful maiden began to skip over

the peacocks, the doves, and the hens. The birds, disturbed,

fluttered up in a throng. Zosia, hardly touching the ground with

her feet, seemed to tower high above them; before her the white

doves, which she startled in her course, flew as before the

chariot of the goddess of love.

Zosia with a shout rushed through the window into the chamber,

and, out of breath, sat down upon her aunt's lap; Telimena,

kissing her and stroking her under the chin, with joy observed

the liveliness and charm of the child (for she really loved her

ward). But once more she made a solemn face, rose, and walking up

and down and across the chamber, and holding her finger on her

lips, she spoke thus:-