Page:Magdalen by J S Machar.pdf/112

 “Novalis.” And the old lady sighed softly:

“Read it, child! Ah, that Heinrich of Ofterdingen! Blaue Blume! Just read it! I used to read them all night long.”

The burgomistress entered.

A loud exclamation: “Ah, Frau Räthin!”

“Ah, Frau Bürgermeisterin!”

They embraced each other. There fell cataracts of indistinguishable words. Finally the burgomistress seated herself. With a rapid glance she measured the maiden two or three times, and the aunt caught her look.

“My Lucy,” she introduced her.

“Ah, I am happy, ’s freut mich, ’s freut mich, will she stay long with us?”

Lucy blushed.

“Forever, forever,” the aunt hastened to reply.

“The young lady used to live in Prague?”

“Yes, in Prague,” Lucy said hurriedly.

“I do not know how Miss Lucy will like this life of ours. It is a wearisome, small,