He called upon me Christmas Eve -

His son is married, just conceive!"

XXXIX.

"And he - but of him presently -

To-morrow Tania we will show,

What say you? to the family -

Alas! abroad I cannot go.

See, I can hardly crawl about -

But you must both be quite tired out!

Let us go seek a little rest -

Ah! I'm so weak - my throbbing breast!

Oppressive now is happiness,

Not only sorrow - Ah! my dear,

Now I am fit for nothing here.

In old age life is weariness!"

Then weeping she sank back distressed

And fits of coughing racked her chest.

XL.

By the sick lady's gaiety

And kindness Tania was impressed,

But, her own room in memory,

The strange apartment her oppressed:

Repose her silken curtains fled,

She could not sleep in her new bed.

The early tinkling of the bells

Which of approaching labour tells

Aroused Tattiana from her bed.

The maiden at her casement sits

As daylight glimmers, darkness flits,

But ah! discerns nor wood nor mead -

Beneath her lay a strange courtyard,

A stable, kitchen, fence appeared.

XLI.

To consanguineous dinners they

Conduct Tattiana constantly,

That grandmothers and grandsires may