154 Lily and Water-Lily.

 

“Ay, I know all,” repeated the little fairy; “I
know now what is the love of mortals. It is true
that it is sad, but it is good. It may be that I could
not have loved as mortals love, for I am only a fairy.
But even as the spirit of love in ¢ky heart perchance
opened thine eyes to behold me as some mortals
cannot do, so the love that I. have loved thee with
has made me nearer akin to the mortals, and through
thy own pipe hath thy complaint reached me in
mine own speech. I said the love of mortals was
selfish, but I, too, was selfish; yet it was because I
did not understand. I might have brought thee
sorrow, Michael, but now I would bring thee joy.”

She smiled upon him softly, still radiant and in-
tangible through the white marsh mist, her voice
only as the voice of a very woman.

“For, see’st thou, it shall not be that thou pay the
great penalty, Michael,” said she, tenderly. “For
thy first offence I have the right to forgive thee if .
I will, because I have suffered love for thee, and the
second thou shalt not commit. Nay, thou shalt not