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Dobrunka did not even know that she was pretty, and she could not understand why her stepmother flew into a rage at the mere sight of her. The poor child was obliged to do all the work of the house; she had to sweep, cook, wash, sew, spin, weave, cut the grass, and take care of the cow, while Katinka lived like a princess that is to say, did nothing.

When the letter came, there was suppressed excitement until she had read it, and then excitement unsuppressed. "Dad, we can have Alexis, son of Katinka by Peter the Great, for $125! See what the letter says: 'Eleven months old, tall and strong in quarters, white, with even lemon markings, better head than Marksman, and a sure winner in the best of company. Isn't that great?

I ask your hand for a brave, handsome, and young cavalier." "Thank you very much for the honor, my dear Bernat bácsi, but I intend to remain faithful to my vow never to marry." "Then you send me out of your house with a mitten, Katinka hugom?" "I should prefer to detain you as a welcome guest." "Thanks; but I cannot stop to-day. I am invited to a betrothal feast over at the Nameless Castle.

"We have much to do, Prince Tabnit," said Olivia; "when may we leave?" "Command me," said Prince Tabnit, bowing. "To-morrow!" cried Olivia, "to-morrow, at noon." "Olivia!" Mrs. Hastings' voice broke over the name like ice upon a warm promontory. Mrs. Hastings' voice was suited to say "Keziah" or "Katinka," not Olivia. "Can you go, Mr. Frothingham?" demanded Olivia. Mr.

The maid brought a collection of magnificent fans and placed them before her mistress to allow her to make a choice. "How singular," murmured the countess, half to herself, as she picked out a veritable Watteau from the rich collection; "I am young and free, and abhor constraint, yet I have chosen a master." "A master!" exclaimed Katinka. "Why, the duke is so good and kind, madame!

"Very well here Katinka, clasp this bracelet," resumed the countess, addressing the Russian maid in her own language once more, "and see what time it is." Katinka turned to the clock and was opening her lips to reply, when her mistress forestalled her by saying, with a mocking smile: "After all, why should I make such an inquiry. The duke has just arrived, half-past nine must "

She shook it, and an apple fell; she shook it again, and a second apple followed. "Make haste, Dobrunka, make haste home!" cried September, in an imperious voice. The good child thanked the Twelve Months, and joyfully ran home. You may imagine the astonishment of Katinka and the stepmother. "Red apples in January! Where did you get these apples?" asked Katinka.

Three years ago, a gentleman from a foreign country came to Fertöszeg, and took such a fancy to the isolated house that he leased it from the baron, the former owner, on condition that no one but himself and servants should be permitted to enter the grounds belonging to the castle. The question now is, will Katinka hugom consent to the conditions, or will she revoke them?"

Baroness Katinka understood perfectly how to conduct the conversation during the repast an art which was not appreciated by her right-hand neighbor, Herr Mercatoris. The learned gentleman had bad teeth, in consequence of which eating was a sort of penitential performance that left him no time for discourse.

"Who is this Anne?" asked the Princess, rising lazily. "No one you know, mother. A friend of Mr. Ware's. Now you must retire, and Katinka shall make you comfortable." "You will not be long, Olga? If your father knew " "My father will not know," broke in her daughter, leading the elder woman to the door. "You will not tell him. What would shock my father is good form in this delightful country."