At that moment two old women passed by; but on seeing so fair a maiden in tears, they stopped and asked her what was the matter.
The young countess, after a great deal of hesitation, told them her story.
"Do not cry, dear child," said they, "but go into your own room and put these four dolls in it, one in each corner. The count, your brother, will then knock at your door and call you. Now, you must put yourself right in the middle of the room; and when he comes, you must answer, 'I shall come in a moment!' but do not move while you speak, or woe betide you!"
So saying, the old women went away, and the countess went up to her own room and did what she was told. Meanwhile, the brother dressed himself up in his wedding garments and called for his sister, who stood in the middle of her room and answered,—
"I shall come in a moment."
While the dolls in the corners sang,—
- Is anxious to wed.
- But takes her instead."
Tania felt the earth beneath her soften, and she sank lower and lower; but she was not afraid, nor did she cry for help, her only wish being to get away from her brother.
Count Daniel still called her, and louder than
