Walking there for restlessness, perhaps, for joy; 'twas her affair. I
thought to myself, she had heard Asop in the woods, and knew that I was
out.
As she came up I rose and stood and looked at her, and I saw how slight
and young she was. Asop, too, stood looking at her.
"Where do you come from?" I asked.
"From the mill," she answered.
But what could she have been doing at the mill so late at night?
"How can you venture into the woods so late?" I said--"you so slight and
young?"
She laughed, and said:
"I am not so young--I am nineteen."
But she could not be nineteen; I am certain she was lying by at least
two years, and was only seventeen. But why should she lie to seem older?
"Sit down," I said, "and tell me your name."
And she sat down, blushing, by my side, and told me her name was
Henriette.
Then I asked her:
"Have you a lover, Henriette, and has he ever taken you in his arms?"
"Yes," she said, smiling shyly.
"How many times?"
She was silent.
"How many times?" I asked her again.
"Twice," she answered softly.
I drew her to me and said:
"How did he do it? Was it like this?"
"Yes," she whispered, trembling.
IX
I had some talk with Edwarda.
"We shall have rain before long," I said.
"What time is it?" she asked.
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