Pagina 207 di 788

They gain curved necks, send forth manes, shoot out rows of legs,

and over the vault of the skies they fly like a herd of chargers

across the steppe. All are white as silver; they have fallen into

confusion; suddenly masts grow from their necks, and from their

manes broad sails; the herd changes into a ship, and majestically

floats slowly and quietly across the blue plain of the skies!"

The Count and Telimena looked up; Thaddeus with one hand pointed

out a cloud to them, while with the other he squeezed Telimena's

dainty fingers. The quiet scene lasted for several minutes; the

Count spread a sheet of paper on his hat and took out his pencil;

then, unwelcome to their ears, the house bell resounded, and

straightway the quiet wood was full of cries and uproar.

The Count, nodding his head, said in an impressive tone:-