Page:Karl Gjellerup - Minna, A novel - 1913.djvu/71

 which floated upon the water; the mirror on the surface of the pool reflected a smile on her face, which seemed more arch than displeased, but in the same moment the jar had filled, and, in going to the bottom, produced a whirlpool that obliterated the image in the water. She had now recovered her balance, but I was far too careful of her, as if the little pool was a precipice, to hasten to release her; yes, I even felt that in this favourable moment I might have permitted myself more than this lingering pressure, which was excusable, had the surroundings only been more secluded. But a few yards away we had the youthful observer, and the windows were not far off.

"Thank you, I shan't fall any more now," she said, and jumped up to the path. "By the way, the water?"

I took the full jar out of the spring, and carried it after her.

When, after tea, we heard the landlord's voice, we went down to ask about the blasting. It was to take place the next day, surely enough, and we should be welcome to see it. Accordingly we arranged that little Hans, whose request had been granted, should show us the way to the quarries.

The moon had risen over the wood-covered heights on the other side of the river. It reflected itself in the middle of the stream, and between the stones close to the bank. The sky was almost clear, save that behind Lilienstein, which was but dimly visible, a dark mist was hanging. On the other side the contour of the rocks was clearly defined against the pale sky, but presently their masses also assumed life; the projections stood out, while the fissures were in deep shadow, and the surface of the quarries was but faintly lighted. On the terrace of "Erbgericht" many lamps shone amongst the foliage; and on the top