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 thought not of returning to the house; but continued to watch the moon gradually breaking through the fleecy clouds, mellowing the extensive landscape, and casting long tracts of radiance aslant the trembling waves; while the owl, from his ivy-mantled bower, hailed her with notes of sadness, and the young cottagers came forth to dance beneath her beams. "Oh, my father! (cried Madeline to herself) if I did not think such evenings would return, how wretched would be now the heart of your child!"

As she leaned pensively against the window, she was suddenly roused by lively music from the wood; and immediately after, saw a troop of rustics emerging from it, dressed in their holiday clothes, and adorned with large bouquets of the gayest spring flowers. Those were the Countess's tenants come to celebrate her arrival. She directly went forth to meet them, followed by Madeline, who derived unspeakable pleasure from such a sight. They all eagerly crowded round their