﻿THE BASKET OF CHERRIES. 189 



These wandering mendicants came originally, it is said, from Egypt ; 

 so they are called Egyptians, and oftener Bohemians ; in Italy, Zin- 

 gari ; in Spain, Gitanos, and in England, Gypsies. These little 

 companies usually live by stealing ; so I fear 



M'me de Brinval stopped abruptly. 



" Tell me, mamma, what do you fear ?" cried Bathilde. 



*' I shall undoubtedly give you much pain, my child ; but it is bet- 

 ter to tell you immediately. You must remember having run after 

 her whom you call your little darling, without thinking of your goat, 

 poor Caprice, whom you left behind you." 



Oh ! Caprice is lost. Answer me quick, mamma ! ' 



" Alas ! yes, I fear so. We have sought her in vain since that 

 moment; and after what I have just told you of gypsies in general, 

 you see that I must strongly suspect those whom you met of having 

 stolen your pretty goat." 



" Ah ! Caprice, my poor Caprice ! " cried Bathilde, bursting into 

 tears ; " it was my disobedience which caused your loss, and per- 

 haps your death." 



" I think, my child," said M'me de Blinval, " that you need not fear 

 this last misfortune for Caprice ; for the reason that the gypsies are 

 accustomed to lead about among them, some animal of this species, 

 whom they teach to play tricks ; these tricks are usually the most 

 attractive part of their jugglery. As for the little songstress, she is, 

 I think, a child of one of these miserable people, and they were un- 

 doubtedly punishing her for some fault." 



" Oh ! Caprice ! Caprice ! ' repeated Bathilde, continuing to 

 weep. 



" Oh my daughter," added M'me de Blinval, in a grave tone and 

 profoundly affected, "judge with what terrible fear my whole being 

 trembled, when you informed me near what people you had found 

 yourself alone, when I tell you that these Bohemians not only steal 

 goats, but often take children who seem to them pretty and apt, to 

 train them to these miserable exercises." 



Bathilde threw herself tremblingly into the arms of her mother, 

 who pressed her for a long time to her heart in a close embrace. 



The search for Caprice lasted a month, but Caprice reappeared no 

 more. 



