At this command Anielka could no longer stifle her grief; she covered her face with her hands, and wept violently.
"Why do you cry?" asked her mistress impatiently; "I cannot bear it; I desire you to do as you are bid."
It might have been from the constant habit of slavish obedience, or a strong feeling of pride, but Anielka instantly ceased weeping. There was a moment's pause, during which the old Countess went grumbling out of the room. Anielka chose the Hymn to the Virgin she had warbled in the garden, and as she sung, she prayed fervently;—she prayed for peace, for deliverance from the acute emotions which had been aroused within her. Her earnestness gave an intensity of expression to the melody, which affected her listeners. They were silent for some moments after its conclusion. Leon walked up and down with his arms folded on his breast. Was it agitated with pity for the accomplished young slave? or by any other tender emotion? What followed will show.
"My dear Constantia," he said, suddenly stopping before his sister and kissing her hand, "will you do me a favor?"
Constantia looked inquiringly in her brother's face without speaking.
"Give me this girl"
"Impossible!"
"I am quite in earnest," continued Leon, "I wish to offer her to my future wife. In the Prince her father's private chapel they are much in want of a solo soprano."
"I shall not give her to you," said Constantia."
"Not as a free gift, but in exchange. I will give you instead a charming young negro—so black. The women in St. Petersburgh and in Paris raved about him: but I was inexorable: I half refused him to my princess."