Page:The Writings of Prosper Merimee-Volume 5.djvu/57

Rh At that moment the snake's head appeared out of the collar of the old woman's cloak and stretched up to its mistress's ear. The reptile, trained doubtless to the trick, moved its jaws as though it spoke.

" He says I am right? " said the old woman.

The Count gave her a handful of tobacco.

" Do you know me? " he asked.

" No, sir."

" I am the master of Medintiltas. Come and see me one of these days ; I will give you tobacco and brandy."

The old woman kissed his hand and moved away with rapid strides. We soon lost sight of her. The Count remained thoughtful, tying and untying the fastenings of his bag, hardly conscious of what he was doing.

" Professor," he said to me after a somewhat long silence, " you will laugh at me. That old crone knew both me and the road which she showed me better than she pretended. . After all, there is nothing so very surprising in that. I am as well known in this countryside as the white wolf. The jade has seen me several times on the road to Dowghielly Castle. . ..

A marriageable young lady lives there, so she concluded that I was in love. . . . Then some handsome boy has bribed her to tell me