Page:Popular Tales and Romances of the Northern Nations (Volume 2).djvu/49

Rh saw the bridal festivities with great composure; even the beautiful jewels, the precious stones in the bridal crown, and the nine rows of large pearls round the neck of the bride, could not disturb her quiet, which is rather astonishing, as a new bonnet from Paris, or some other fashionable trifle is sufficient, at times, to disturb the domestic peace of whole families. Nothing diminished her happiness, but the grief of her kind mother which made her extremely uneasy.

She tried, by a thousand little attentions and caresses, to coax her into a better humour; and she succeeded so far, that her poor mother became at least communicative.

Towards the evening, when the dance began, she said: “Oh my daughter, you might at this moment be leading this dance! What happiness would it be for me, if you rewarded me in this manner for all my care and trouble. But you have turned away from fortune when she smiled on you, and now I shall not live to accompany you to the altar.”

“Confide in heaven, my dear mother,” ans-