Page:Hans Andersen's fairy tales (Robinson).djvu/113

 HANS ANDERSEN'S FAIRY TALES Can the flame of the heart expire amid the flames of the funeral pile?'

'I do not understand that at all!' said little Gerda.

'That is my tale!' said the tiger-lily.

'What says the convolvulus?'

'Hanging over a narrow mountain causeway, behold an ancient, baronial castle. Thick evergreens grow amongst the time stained walls, their leafy branches entwine about the balcony, and there stands a beautiful maiden; she bends over the balustrades and fixes her eyes with eager expectation on the road winding beneath. The rose hangs not fresher and lovelier on its stem than she; the apple-blossom which the wind threatens every moment to tear from its branch is not more fragile and trembling. Listen to the rustling of her rich silken robe! Listen to her half-whispered words, "He comes not yet"'

'Is it Kay you mean?' asked little Gerda.

'I do but tell you my tale—my dream,' replied the convolvulus.

'What says the little snowdrop?'

'Between two trees hangs a swing. Two pretty little maidens, their dress as white as snow, and long green ribbands fluttering from their hats, sit and swing themselves in it. Their brother stands up in the swing, he has thrown his arms round the ropes to keep himself steady, for in one hand he holds a little cup, in the other a pipe made of clay; he is blowing soap bubbles. The swing moves and the bubbles fly upwards with bright, ever-changing colours; the last hovers on the edge of the pipe, and moves with the wind. The swing is still in motion, and the little black dog, almost as light as the soap bubbles, rises on his hind feet and tries to get into the swing also; away goes the swing, the dog falls, is out of 85