Part 95 (1/2)
Irma waited a long while, and at last some one appeared right below where she was sitting.
”So there you are,” said the figure. She threw a rope to Irma, telling her to bind it round her body and then fasten the other end to a rock or tree, and slide down gently.
Irma did as she was bidden. During that one short moment, while she hovered between heaven and earth, a thousand indescribable thoughts pa.s.sed through her mind. She reached the ground in safety. The woman at once seized her by the hand and led her away. She followed as if without a will of her own. In scrambling through the bushes and over the rocks, she tore herself until the blood flowed. At last they reached a narrow rocky path. Below them the brook rushed by, but the powerful woman held Irma's hand fast in hers, as if with an iron grip.
”A chamois hunter wouldn't dare go where you've, been. Now we're up here, and there's our hut,” said she, at last. ”It's a wonder you didn't stumble over the rock with your long dress.”
”Who are you?” asked Irma.
”Tell me first, who you are, and how you got here.”
”I can't tell you that.”
”No matter. They call me Black Esther.”
”Who are you bringing there?” called out a grim-looking woman, who appeared at the door of the hut. Behind her glowed the fire on the hearth.
”I don't know; it's a woman.”
Irma went toward the hut with Black Esther. The old woman crossed herself and exclaimed:
”Let all good spirits praise the Lord! it's the Lady of the Lake--”
”I'm not a spirit,” said Irma. ”I'm a weary mortal. Let me rest here for a while, and then let your daughter go with me and show me the way to the lake. All I ask for now is a drop of water.”
”No, that 'ud be the death of you. You mustn't drink water now. I'll cook some warm soup for you, and bring it to you right off.”
She led Irma into the room, and when she saw her hand and the diamond rings sparkling on it, she grinned with delight.
”Oh what a beautiful ring! That's from your sweetheart.”
”Take it and keep it,” said Irma, holding out her hand.
With great dexterity, the old woman removed the ring from Irma's finger.
”Good heavens!” cried the old woman suddenly, ”I've seen you before--yes, yes, it was you. Didn't you once wear a little golden heart and send it to a child? Didn't you once, at the palace, order them to get something to eat for an old woman and have her son set free, and didn't you give her money besides? Good heavens! you're the--”
”Don't mention my name! Only let me rest a moment; ask me nothing, and say nothing more.”
”As you don't want me to, certainly not. I'll hurry and get the soup ready for you.”
She went out, leaving Irma alone.
Irma lay on the bed, which was nothing more than a sack of leaves that crackled strangely whenever she turned her head. The leaves seemed to say: ”Ah! when we were green, we had a better time of it--” The moon shone in through the window; everything seemed dancing before her eyes; she felt as if she were on the open sea. But she soon fell asleep.--When she awoke, she heard a man's voice.
CHAPTER XI.
Out on the porch, which also served as a kitchen, were Thomas and his mother. He had removed his false beard, was cleaning his black face, and now said: