Page:Henryk Sienkiewicz - In Monte-Carlo.djvu/92

 Then, although there was nobody there, she asked him in a whisper,—

"And you?"

"My light is with me!" answered he, pressing her arm to his breast.

And they began to descend. Truly the day seemed to be brighter than ever; the air was golden and blue, the sea, in the distance, looked like lapis lazuli.

"Let us stop here," said Mrs Elzen. "We can see the cages from here."

From under their feet stretched a large green lawn, running out towards the sea. The cages with the pigeons were disposed upon it in a half-circle. Each moment one of them opened suddenly, the frightened bird flew out, then the shot resounded and the pigeon fell either on the grass or into the sea, where, on the waves, small boats with fishermen were expectantly waiting for the prey.

It sometimes happened, however, that the pigeon was missed; then it flew towards the sea, and, making a circle,