The Romance of a Water-Lily. 155

 

need to commit it, for thy beloved shall not require
it of thee. Even as love hath opened my eyes, so
shall it open hers; even as love taught thee to see
the fairy in the flower, so shall it teach her.”

- The moon’s radiance had become softly dimmed as
Nerina spoke these last words, and the white phantom
mists crept closer around, and Michael bowed his
head, for he felt a strange sadness rise within him,
that struggled with a dawning hope.

There was a deep silence, and then a sound as of a
sob, and Michael lifted his head quickly, but there
was no one to be seen ; only out of the moonlit mists
the sweet voice came to him still.

“When I am gone,” it continued, and the sound
was glad, and not mournful, “one of my lilies shall
float to thee upon the bosom of the stream. Pluck it
up by the roots, and carry it to thine own home and
to thy beloved. It shall be the proof that verily thou
hast communed with a fairy, and it shall grow for
ever for thee as a pledge of love, for it shall be
deathless.”