nd magnificent
repose of the wood, diffused through her, almost in opposition to her
own will and heart, an irresistible feeling of satisfaction and
pleasure, which however quickly left her as she heard a something
crackling in the wood. The wind it could not be? perhaps it was an
animal! Petrea held her panting breath. It crackled; it
whispered;--there were people in the wood! However bold, or more
properly speaking, rash, Petrea might be at certain moments, her heart
now drew itself together, when she thought on her solitary, defenceless
situation, and on the scenes of horror for which this wood was so
fearfully renowned. Beyond this, she was now no longer in those years
when one stands in life on a flying foot, careless and presumptuous:
she had planted herself firmly in life; had her own quiet room; her
peaceful sphere of activity, which she now loved more than the most
brilliant adventures in the world! It was not therefore to be wondered
at, that she recoiled tremblingly from the unlovely and hateful which is
at home by the road sides.

Petrea listened with a strongly beating heart; the rustling came nearer
and nearer; for one moment she thought of concealing herself on the
opposite side of the way, but in the next she boldly demanded "Who is
there?"

All was still. Petrea strained her eyes to discover some one in the
direction of the sound, but in vain: the wood was thick, and it had
become quite dark. Once again, exclaimed Petrea, "If any one be there
let him come to the help of unfortunate travellers!"

Even the heart of robbers, thought she, would be mollified by
confidence; and prayers for help might remove thoughts of murder. The
rustling in the wood began afresh, and now were heard the voices
of--children. An indescribable sensation of joy went through Petrea's
heart. A whole army, with Napoleon at their head, could not at this
moment have given that feeling of security and protection which came
from those children's voices; and soon came issuing from the wood two
little barefooted human creatures, a boy and a girl, who stared on
Petrea with astonishment. She quickly made herself acquainted with them,
and they promised to conduct her to the cottage, which lay at a little
distance. On their way they gave Petrea bilberries out of their full
birch-wood measure, and related to her that the reason of their being
out so late was, that they had been looking for the cow which was lost
in the wood; that they sho