122 Lily and We ater-Lily.

 

only fora moment. “I do not like thy mortal love,”
said she; “it is so grim and sad. I would rather love
as we fairies love, in merriment and content, as we will.
And thou, too,” added she, caressingly, “thou, too,
wilt love thus when thou hast been here a while, and
when the cloud of dull earth hath been lifted from thy
brow. Come, let us leave this foolish. talk and go
sport with the others in the fairy ring beneath the
moon. There wilt thou learn wisdom of mirth, I
warrant thee.”

She floated towards him, her white arms outstretched,
her face all rippling laughter and joy, and once more
the mist seemed to enter.and encircle them, and once
more he seemed to be wafted from the earth and out _
into the lap of the moonlight. Yet. it was not as
before, for he fought with the mist and struggled: with
the darkening cloud, and fain would be free.

“ Ah! fair mistress,” he cried, in anguish, “I pray
thee—I pray thee give me leave to depart. Fain:
would I love thee as thou wilt, fain would I save my
body alive, but it cannot be. I love thee not, and I