he Romance o a Water-Lily. 141

 

eyes sought Salome’ s  pleadingly as she stood framed
in th@sdark SeeteyE
five me,” murmured he. “I could not come
"1 was. ashamed. I have: failed. I have
nothing to bring thee.”

A loud laugh burst from the recesses of the kitchen,
and Judith pushed past into the porch.

“Ho, ho!” roared she; “so he was not here this
' morning at the dawn, after all! It was all make-
believe. And he didn’t see the Rhéne fairy, and he
has not: got the magic lilies! Here’sa joke! There’s
a fine way for a lover to keep to a bargain! Give it
him, Salome! Come, show a bit of spirit, lass! He's
a smart, brave lad, to be sure! Quiteahero! I must
- be off, and tell it to the others, Why, I haven't had
such a good bit of gossip to brighten up the Vespers
with for a very long time. Salome Duplessis is
going to wed a cowherd, and ,a cowherd who is
frightened of a precipice and a fairy tale! . Ho, ho!.
what fun! Good night, my love-birds !”

And without giving another glance—perhaps with-