130 3s Lily and Water-Lily.

 

“ Ah! thou wouldst puzzle me with thy long words,”
said she, gaily, “ but I don’t understand them. I only
know that there never was a mortal yet, so they say,
but was glad to get away from the dull toil of earth
to the pleasures of fairyland ; and thou art a mortal,
thou wilt be like the rest when thou hast once tasted
them. Even as he who hath once beheld: Nerina in
the flesh cannot choose but love her above any
mortal woman, so wilt thou love the kingdoms of ©
earth better than dreams of heaven in the loneliness
of nature.- I warrant I know thee better than thou
knowest thyself, for am I not a fairy?”

But Michael braced his heart within him and
looked her bravely in the eyes. “And yet, lady,”
said he, gently, not for fear of her anger, but for
sorrow at a discourtesy he would fain not have
shown to any bearing the semblance of woman— and
yet, lady, forgive me, but I cannot love thee. She
whom I loved on earth must ever be first in my heart,
yea, though I should die for my love.”

He looked to see the bright black eyes flash with