THE SOLACHERS. 83 



and which, following her steps, would shield her from 

 any harm. And such a power did protect her, — it was 

 her own pure womanhood. 



To understand and feel all the beauty of these simple 

 ditties, they must be heard under like circumstances : 

 beneath a cottage roof, and sung by such a group as were 

 assembled round our little table. They belong to and 

 form part of the mountains and mountain life, and 

 nowhere else do they sound so beautiful ; just as a com- 

 mon wild-flower shows most bright in its native lane or 

 hedgerow. 



Berger now jumped up, and pushing aside the table 

 to make more room, was in an instant dancing first with 

 one then with another of the sisters. It would have 

 made the prettiest picture in the world that dark wains- 

 coted room, with its low ceiling also of dark wood, the 

 girl playing the cithern and the other group dancing to 

 its music, with the impenetrable, imperturbable, silent 

 old aunt sitting quite in shade in the background, and 

 calmly looking on. There is nothing more infectious 

 than the dance ; as soon as Berger stopped I took the 

 other sister and danced with her; a matter requiring 

 some little skill, so small was the space we had to per- 

 form in. When one pair stopped the other began ; the 

 walking and climbing of the day was forgotten, and we 

 changed partners many a time that evening before we 

 thought of going to our beds. However, as we were to 

 be up early on the morrow, some hours' rest was not to 

 be disregarded. My little bedroom was as comfortable 

 as possible ; everything was homely, but neat and deli- 

 ciously clean. 



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