Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/119

Rh ever, but he always received the same answer, while the dolls sang as before,—

Again the count called, and again received the same answer, while the dolls sang their song. By this time nothing but the young countess's head was visible.

Count Daniel grew very impatient, and called louder to his sister. But this time, getting no answer, he flew into a rage, and breaking open the door, rushed into the room; but no sister could he find! He looked round, but saw nothing except the dolls, who kept on singing their wonderful song, until the count, in a still greater rage, took an axe, cut off their heads, and threw them into the fire.

But to return to the Countess Tania. She sank and sank, until she reached an underground kingdom. She walked on and on along a pretty country road, when she suddenly beheld a funny little wooden hut, at the door of which sat a beautiful girl reading. She was so exactly like Tania, that the young countess might easily have thought that it was a reflection of herself in a looking-glass. When this lovely girl saw Tania coming she jumped up, and running up to her, embraced her warmly, just as if she had known her all her life.