"Oh, pray, do beg _mademoiselle_ to sing a verse or two of that song! I
heard it at a distance the other day; and it was so beautiful that, fool
as I am, I blubbered like a baby for half an hour behind the
rose-bushes. And yet I think it was rather her sweet voice than the
words that made me cry."

"Oh, yes! do sing it for us; it would give us so much pleasure! Your
voice is like a nightingale's; and I remember too, that my poor
mother--alas! she is long ago in heaven--used to sing me to sleep with
that blessed song. Pray, sing it for us, _mademoiselle_.

"It's very long,"' said Lenora, smiling.

"But if you only sing averse or two; it is a holiday with us, you know,
_mademoiselle!_"

"Well," returned Lenora, musingly, "if it will make you happy why should
I refuse? Listen:--

"Beside a deep and rapid stream
A lonely maiden sat;
With sighs her snowy bosom heaved,
And tears bedewed the ground!

"A noble walked along the bank
And saw her bitter grief;
And, as her tears overflowed his heart,
It melted for the maid!"