I 46 Lily and We ater-Lily.

He could see the quiver run once more through
her frame. “But she was gentle, and she forgave
me,” added he, “on one condition.”

Then Salome turned.

“On what condition?” asked she.

He hung his head and his voice faltered.

“Nay, do not blame me,” he began. “On the
condition that I should return t

But she interrupted him with a laugh so harsh and
discordant that it might have been Judith’s own.

“On the simple condition that you should return
no more, I suppose!” cried she, scornfully. “And
you expect me to believe such a tale as that! You
expect me to believe that the fairy forgave you just
for the love of your handsome face! Nay, to believe
such stuff were not to believe in fairies at all; for if
there ave fairies, they are wiser than us foolish women.
But thou hast seen no fairy. Thou shalt no longer
lead me up hill and down dale with thy childish
romancing!” cried she, falling into the old familiar
pronoun and perceiving it not. “Thou didst bewitch