Страница 191 из 483

"On examining my dwelling, I found that one of the windows of the

cottage had formerly occupied a part of it, but the panes had

been filled up with wood. In one of these was a small and almost

imperceptible chink through which the eye could just penetrate.

Through this crevice a small room was visible, whitewashed and

clean but very bare of furniture. In one corner, near a small

fire, sat an old man, leaning his head on his hands in a

disconsolate attitude. The young girl was occupied in arranging

the cottage; but presently she took something out of a drawer,

which employed her hands, and she sat down beside the old man,

who, taking up an instrument, began to play and to produce sounds

sweeter than the voice of the thrush or the nightingale. It was a

lovely sight, even to me, poor wretch who had never beheld aught

beautiful before. The silver hair and benevolent countenance of

the aged cottager won my reverence, while the gentle manners of

the girl enticed my love.