The White Lily. . 81

 

And when he bent down and kissed the flower, that
happened which had happened when Pearl kissed the
little mouse—it grew in the silver sea till it was a
maiden far more lovely than little Pearl, in Ruby’s |
awestruck sight.

And that night there were two weddings in the
glen; and each one was more beautiful than the
turtledove’s wedding, when Pearl had been chief
bridesmaid ; for Pearl herself walked at the Prince’s
side, and Ruby led the lovely lily-maiden by the
hand, and there were more love-birds than any one
ever heard of for bridesmaids, and the handsomest
kingfishers on the river-bank for best men.

And the beasts of the forests came around once
more, and were not fierce, because they were not
afraid, and the nightingales positively screamed for
joy, and the flowers made humble obeisance as the
beautiful couples went by ; the glowworms came with
their lamps, and the fireflies flashed their blue light; |
every one lent help and good will, and when the night
began to wear away, the nightingales said the blessing.

G