The Romance of a Water-Lily. 123

 

“Hast thou forgotten? Did I not tell thee that “I
would save thy life—that I would love thee? There-
fore have I brought thee to my home. The other
fairies laugh because they do not believe that Nerina
_ will ever love or be loved; they say she is of the
water, and cannot hold or be held. But I think I
will love thee; thou art fairer than other men.”

Michael was silent, and sighed.

“Nay, nay, but thou dost not need to sigh now,”
cried she, throwing her arms around him gaily, and
nestling her head on his shoulder. “ Many a fairy’s
son hath sighed because Nerina would not love him ;
but thee will I love.”

But still he sighed and drew himself gently away
from her, standing with eyes downcast.

“ See,” said she, seemingly unconscious of his mood,
as she led him towards a crevice of the rock, whence
a little spring trickled slowly into’a tiny pool below,
“in the mirror of this secret and magic water that
comes to me from the heart of the earth thou mayst
behold all my kingdom. For deem not that I am