Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/325

Rh impels me to want to know all", said the Princess much disturbed.

"I can tell you all I heard, for it is nothing wrong, and I did not promise on my soul not to tell," replied Grandmother, and began to relate how she had heard of the betrothal and illness of the Countess. "One thought suggests another," she said; "and it often happens that one can judge better of a thing when seeing it from a distance than when observing it close at hand; reflection, too, brings wisdom. Thus, your Grace, it occurred to me that, perhaps, the Countess did not like to marry that nobleman, and only consented because she knew it would please your Grace. Yesterday, as I observed her so pale and wan, I could have wept; we were looking at those beautiful pictures that she painted,—it is wonderful,—and then we came to a picture, which, as she told me, her teacher painted and gave her. I asked her if that handsome gentleman was the painter himself,—an old person, like a child, wants to know everything. She blushed, arose, made no reply, but her eyes filled with tears. That was enough for me, and your Grace can tell best, whether the old woman was right."

The Princess arose, paced the floor several times, and then said as if speaking to herself: "I observed nothing; she was always cheerful and submissive. She never spoke of him."

"Well," replied Grandmother to these audible thoughts, "natures differ. One would not be happy if he could not set up every joy, every sorrow for the wonder of the world; another carries them hidden in his bosom all his life, and takes them with