"My life and honor I give into your hands."
"I know it." And, taking the key, Korynthia hurried away.
"What a hurry the child is in!" said the old lady.
"She will soon be back."
"With the cards?"
"Yes; with the cards."
"Then, meanwhile, I will make myself smart, that she does not find me looking so untidy."
The smartness consisted in the old lady's having her new cap—fashioned in 1807—brought to her with its large yellow ostrich feather. This she duly put on, and with it her two false curls. Her hair was white, the curls black.
A full hour went slowly by.
"What a long time the child is finding the cards! She will be changing her dress, taking off her grand ball-dress, and slipping into a cotton morning-wrapper. Wait a minute; it will be such fun. How it will make her laugh! I will sing the Matrimonial Ditty. It is really very pretty. Bring me my guitar, Ihnasko. Ah, how well I used to play it!"