Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/271

Rh not see him, and hardly heard from him until that morning when he suddenly appeared before me.

"You can imagine how glad I was. I recognized him instantly, although he had changed much; he was unusually tall, and withal so well proportioned that it would have been hard to find his equal. He bent down to me, took my hand, and asked me why I was so frightened? 'How could I help it,' I said. 'You appeared as suddenly as if you had fallen from the skies. Whence came you and when?'

"'I came direct from Kladran. Uncle is afraid, since they are collecting troops everywhere, that I also might be impressed into service. I had hardly reached home, when he sent me here, where he thinks I can hide more easily. I got through the mountains without any mishaps, and here I am.'

"'For heaven's sake! suppose they should find you here, what does your mother say?'

"'I have not seen her yet. I got here at two o'clock this morning, and did not want to wake mother up. I thought to myself: "You can lie down on the grass under Madeline's window; she is an early riser. You will wait till she comes, and then you can go home." In truth, it is not in vain that the people of the village say of you: "Ere the lark sings Madeline brings home the grass." The day had hardly dawned before you were cutting the grass. I saw you at the spring washing yourself and combing your hair, and I could hardly restrain myself from coming to you; but when you were praying, I did not want to interrupt you. But, now Madeline, tell me, do you still love me?'