Pagina 214 di 483

"I soon perceived that although the stranger uttered articulate

sounds and appeared to have a language of her own, she was

neither understood by nor herself understood the cottagers. They

made many signs which I did not comprehend, but I saw that her

presence diffused gladness through the cottage, dispelling their

sorrow as the sun dissipates the morning mists. Felix seemed

peculiarly happy and with smiles of delight welcomed his Arabian.

Agatha, the ever-gentle Agatha, kissed the hands of the lovely

stranger, and pointing to her brother, made signs which appeared

to me to mean that he had been sorrowful until she came. Some

hours passed thus, while they, by their countenances, expressed

joy, the cause of which I did not comprehend. Presently I found,

by the frequent recurrence of some sound which the stranger

repeated after them, that she was endeavouring to learn their

language; and the idea instantly occurred to me that I should

make use of the same instructions to the same end.