The Flame-Flower 67

pale little flame-flower was drooping, and the
colour of its petals could scarce be seen.

Honora laid her head down by the
child’s, and hid her face in the golden
hair; and Evan stood with his head low,
watching the flower as it faded.

But as they watched, and could hardly
see the light of the flower, it flickered a
little and grew stronger; and Flamma
opened her eyes and sighed.

All through the night they watched ;
and the flame waxed slowly brighter and
brighter; till, when Eostre the dawn-
goddess looked in at the window, her light
could not hide the light of the flower, so
greatly had it brightened; and before
many days Flamma stood in the meadows
without the wall of Rate, with Evan and
her mother. But the flame-flower had gone
from her hair, for its work was done.