152 Lily and Water-Lily.

 

confident, with his sorrowful eyes fixed on the lilies
of the stream. And_as before, in the heart of the
flower, transparent as the water, white and glistening
as the crests of its wavelets, deep and green as the
shadows of its pools, tender and brilliant as the
moonlight, Nerina took shape of woman.

But though she was fairer than ever, more dainty,
and more exquisite in her extreme youthfulness,
there was something about her that had not been
there twenty-four hours ago—something that made
her nearer and more living, yet something that made
her also further off and less tangible.

And Michael marvelled as he saw the sweet
seriousness in her laughing eyes, the tender smile
upon her rosy lips, and stood up before her trembling.

“ Nay,” said she, motioning to him with her slender
white hand, as he opened his lips to speak, “nay,
Michael; there is no need for words. I know all.
I told thee that thou wouldst call upon me, and upon
me alone, to give thee ease, though I knew not then
how it would be.”