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The flames darted upwards in a brilliant array, and all at once out of the shower of sparks the Fairy Amou¬reuse sprang up smiling. Shaking from her green silk robe the bits of burning...

“Odette,” said the fairy in a soothing voice, “I am the Fairy Amoureuse. It was I who sent the young man Lois to you this morning— the young man with the enchanting voice. It...

She had her room in a turret in a distant part of the castle, and spent her time embroidering lovely banners; she found repose in praying to God and in looking out of her...

Emile Zola (1840-1903)Emile Zola was one of the most extraordinary writers of the last century. With limitless energy and scrupulous pains he constructed an imposing edifice of novels and tales, the epic of a...

At last a low murmur ran through the crowd. The child with the evil spirit was being brought in, and “Zia” Batdra caught a glimpse of her. The wasted little body was clad entirely...

The mass began. Every one arose. The heat was intense, and the anticipation of the approaching ceremony held all spellbound.Batora alone was not absorbed by it. Her face was white and her eyes feverish,...

In contrast with all this solemnity, the frivolous minded were indulging in one of their native dances, the “duru-duru,” on the opposite side of the square. The merriment was at its height in spite...

She had made her will in favor of the Church of the Miracles, and day and night besought the merciful Madonna to give her peace, but, as always, in vain.Eighteen months after the lamentable...

Batora`s house, with its carved wooden balconies, commanding a view of the church, stood out against the clear horizon in the ruddy September sunset, like the painted landscape in the background of the picture...

Grazia Deledda (1871-1936)Born in Sardinia in 1871, Grazia Deledda achieved conspicuous success in her novels and stories, which are for the most part concerned with the folk of her native Island. She wrote unaffectedly...