Holding the hands
fast, he rose and stood before her. "Heart beloved of my heart, you were
merciless to read the truth before. Look again, and take care that you read me
as fairly now."
Despite his gentleness, there was a strength in his exaltation which would not
be resisted. Turning shrinkingly, she looked into his eyes.
In the gray-blue depths of her own he saw the shimmer of a dawning light, as
when the evening star first breaks through a June sky, and gradually the
star-splendor spread over her face, until it touched her parted lips.
"You--love me--" she breathed, but her voice no longer made it a question.
Still gazing into his eyes, she let him draw her closer and closer, till he
had gathered her to his breast.
Chapter XXIX
The Ring of The Coiled Snake
He is happy
Who for himself obtains
Fame and kind words;
Less sure is that
Which a man must have
In another's breast.
Ha'vama'l.
The murmur of the rain that was falling gently on the roses of the Abbey
garden stole in through the open windows of Elfgiva's bower and blended softly
with the music of Candida's lyre. Poring over the dingy scrolls spread out on
the table before her, the Lady of Northampton yawned until she was moved to
throw herself back among her cushions with a gesture of graceful surrender.
"It seems that the Saints are going to take pity on me and shorten one of
these endless days with a nap.
Pages:
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316