Page:The Lady's Book Vol. V.pdf/74

 70 THE ROBBER STURMWIND.

Samogitia, * and was obliged to remain in Wilna for some time, on account of a law-suit. He shortly afterwards sent more work, and paid handsomely for it, so that he was considered an excellent customer. He seemed to take pleasure in conversing with Susanna; and as he always observed the greatest propriety, both in his manner and discourse, she had no pretence for avoiding him. His visits were not unnoticed in the neighborhood, and Susanna's companions began to rally her on her conquest and the probable fulfilment of her dream; but he had no place in her heart.

The year was now nearly expired, and Christmas week commenced with its games and merriment. In that country it is still the custom for young women to endeavour to discover the approach of their nuptials, the condition of their future husbands, and their good or evil fortune in marriage; fate, at other times so inscrutable, may, in these holidays, be investigated in various manners. A large party was assembled on Christmas Eve, at Frau Margaretha's: cards and coffee were examined, tin and wax were melted; their shoes were thrown out at the house door, and from the position in which they fell, they decided who would be married within the year. All these circumstances had predicted marriage to Susanna; yet one of her companions proposed that they should go up the street to a crossing and ask the names of those who passed by.

It is considered an indisputable fact, that if a girl, on any evening in Christmas week, goes to the crossing of two streets, and asks the first man who passes his Christian name, and he answers her, that she will learn the name of her future husband. The timid Susanna could scarcely be persuaded to accompany them; but her natural pliability induced her to consent.

The girls asked those who walked along their names, and the men, acquainted with the custom, replied, either with their own or some other, as it pleased them. Susanna hung back to the last; and she was now obliged to wait some time, for no one came by. At length they heard the step of a man: spurs clinked on his feet, and his long sword rung on the frozen ground. She ventured to say: “Have the goodness, sir, to tell me your name? “The unknown stood still a moment, and replied: “I am called Basil. “At the same time the breeze opened his mantle for a moment, and though the night was dark, they could discern on his Polish dress, a belt richly worked with gold, in which were placed two large pistols highly polished.

Fear came over them, and poor Susanna fell senseless in the arms of her companions. The stranger drew his mantle around him and walked on, whilst they hurried back to the house.Susanna's emotion arose from the coincidence of


 * Or Schamait, a province of Lithuania.

If a shoe fell with its point towards the street, its possessor would certainly wed; but if the point were turned towards the house, she was to remain single, at least till the expiration of the year.

the stranger's name with that of the nobleman who had for some time visited them.

When Margaretha saw her daughter enter, pale and almost helpless, she chid the others for their foolish tricks; but they assured her there was nothing terrific in what they had done.“Susanna has asked the name of her intended husband, “exclaimed these merry girls, “and he is to be called Basil! ““Basil! “said her mother, “that is the name of my Lord Opalnisky! “— “Good; ' tis all right, “replied they, “both dream and name; we wish you joy, dear Susanna-you will be my Lady Von Opalnisky, that is certain: from what is fated, neither horse nor coach can save us. “This proverb, though Susanna had so frequently heard it, now fell heavily on her heart; she thought her fate, as the bride of Opalnisky, was inevitable, and fell into a melancholy abstraction, from which her companions ' mirth and jokes could not distract her during the remainder of the evening.

Opalnisky continued his visits three weeks longer, and then called one morning just after Susanna was gone out for her mother. In a few words he acquainted Margaretha with his intention, namely, of marrying her daughter, should she consent to the proposal. Although many little circumstances, the conversation and predictions of their young acquaintances, and the frequent visits of Opalnisky, had given her some suspicion of what he now avowed, still the offer surprised her; and she requested a short time for consideration, and to make her daughter acquainted with the proposal. He was satisfied and took leave. As soon as Susanna returned, her mother began to converse about Opalnisky -spoke of his fortune-praised his good qualities, and concluded with the offer which he had made. Susanna felt all her antipathy return; but her mother continued to speak in his favour, said all that mothers in such cases are accustomed to say, and recommended her seriously to reflect on it, to examine her heart, and to name her decision at the next interview.

Susanna remained the whole afternoon in deep and sad reflection. She thought of Opalnisky always with a sort of horror; but she perceived that her mother advocated the union; and, besides, she was impressed with the notion that he was destined to be her spouse, by an inevitable fate. His rank and fortune, too, gave her the prospect of assuring to her mother an easy and comfortable life; this consideration was decisive; she gave her word to be his wife-prayed to God for strength to persevere in her resolution, and went to bed. Margaretha, when she learned her decision, praised her sensible, obedient child, and felt convinced, notwithstanding her son-inlaw was to be a foreigner, that they would all be happy. When Opalnisky appeared at the appointed time, she assured him of Susanna's consent as well as her own. He was transportedhe approached Susanna, pressed the pale submitting girl in his arms, made her some valuable

A German saying.