“Would you like to see the whole garden? Perhaps you might find some memories in it.”
As if she wanted to proclaim her power, Violante said—
“As you enjoy the music of the water, I will take you to see my seven fountains.”
And Massimilla, with her shy gentleness—
“In return for the almond blossom, I will show you a white hawthorn which came out last night over there.”
I felt as though they were speaking of their most intimate possessions, and, like the virgin of Fontebranda, intended to say: “We are ourselves a garden.”
As I could not express what I felt, I said only empty words.
“Show me the way, then,” I said; “I am sure to come across some memories, at any rate of my early reading, which used to be fairy tales.”
“Poor fairies without wands!” observed Oddo, taking Anatolia’s hand with a caressing gesture.
And in the eyes of the maidens were smiles full of despair.