The Countess Itha 225

very homeless and lonely. She took heart,
however, remembering God’s goodness to
her, and placing her confidence in His care.

Suddenly she perceived a glimmering of
lights among the pines. Torches they
seemed, a long way off; and she thought
it must be the retainers of the Count, who,
finding she had not been killed by her fall,
had sent them out to seek for her. The
lights drew nearer, and she sat very still,
resigned. to her fate whatsoever it might be.
And yet nearer they came, till at length by
their shining she saw a great stag with lordly
antlers, and on the tines of the antlers glit-
tered tongues of flame.

Slowly the beautiful creature came up to
her and regarded her with his large soft
brown eyes. ‘Then he moved away a little
and looked back, as though he were bidding
her follow him. She rose and walked
by his side, and he led her far through the
forest, till they came to.an overhanging rock

beside a brook, and there he stopped.

In this hidden nook of the mountain-
forest she made her home. With branches
and stones and turf she walled in the open

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