Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/264

258 visiting that she may be comforted a little. We all looked forward with such joy to the return of Papa and the Countess, and now we are all disappointed. Poor Hortense!"

After these words Barunka, resting one knee in the path, leaned her elbow against the other, and laying her head in the palm of her hand remained buried in deep thought. Christina sat down under the lilacs, dropped her clasped hands in her lap, and her head fell upon her bosom. Her eyes were red and swollen, and she was the picture of misery.

"That fever must be a dreadful disease. If she should die,—oh heavens! You never had a fever, Christina?" asked Barunka after a pause.

"No, I never was ill in all my life; but now I fear that I shall lose my health," sorrowfully replied Christina.

Not till then did Barunka look at her, and seeing her changed countenance, she jumped up, ran to her and asked: "What is the matter? Is Milo a conscript?" Instead of replying, Christina began to sob aloud. At this moment Grandmother came back. "Have they returned?" she quickly asked.

"Not yet," replied Christina, shaking her head; "but all hope is vain, Lucie has sworn that if she doesn't get Milo, I shan't get him either. What she wants the squire will do, for he is very proud of her; and the steward will do a great deal to please the squire. The steward's daughter cannot forget that her lover was disgraced by Milo; she too, adds some gall, and there are various other things, dear Grandma, that undermine my hopes."

"But Milo's father was at the courthouse and,