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diff --git a/40950.txt b/40950.txt deleted file mode 100644 index f917deb..0000000 --- a/40950.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6491 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Dreamer of Dreams, by Marie, Queen of -Roumania, Illustrated by Edmund Dulac - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - - - - -Title: The Dreamer of Dreams - - -Author: Marie, Queen of Roumania - - - -Release Date: October 6, 2012 [eBook #40950] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DREAMER OF DREAMS*** - - -E-text prepared by Suzanne Shell, Mary Meehan, and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made -available by Internet Archive/American Libraries -(http://archive.org/details/americana) - - - -Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this - file which includes the original lovely illustrations. - See 40950-h.htm or 40950-h.zip: - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/40950/40950-h/40950-h.htm) - or - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/40950/40950-h.zip) - - - Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive/American Libraries. See - http://archive.org/details/dreamerofdreams00sylv - - - - - -THE DREAMER of DREAMS - -by - -THE QUEEN of ROUMANIA - -Illustrated by Edmund Dulac - - - - - - - -Hodder & Stoughton -London, New York, Toronto - - - - -[Illustration: _Everything about her was white, glistening and -shining._] - - - Dedicated - TO MY DAUGHTER - ILEANA - - "I LOOKED INTO HER EYES AND THEREIN - I SAW HOPES AND DREAMS AND ALL THE - PROMISES LIFE CONTAINS." - - - - -ILLUSTRATIONS - - - PAGE - - EVERYTHING ABOUT HER WAS WHITE, GLISTENING AND SHINING 17 - - ERIC LAY NOW, STRETCHED AT THE FEET OF THE WOMAN HE - COULD NOT LEAVE 39 - - A CIRCLE OF MIST SEEMED TO BE SETTLING AROUND THEM 72 - - IT WAS THE MIRACULOUS BUBBLES 100 - - AND THERE, LEANING AGAINST A MOSS-GROWN CRUMBLING - TREE, WAS A SPIRIT-LIKE BEING OUT OF ANOTHER WORLD! 125 - - KING WANDA SAT UPON HIS MARBLE TERRACE BASKING IN - THE FIRST WARMTH OF THE SEASON 173 - - - - -I - - And I dream in my waking dreams, and deep in the dreams of sleep. - - FIONA MACLEOD. - - -Consternation reigned in King Wanda's castle,--the great Northern King -before whose will so many trembled, before whose smile so many crouched -in expectation. His favourite painter had suddenly lost his wits and -refused to finish the picture he had begun on the walls of the ancient -hall where all the great banquets were held--a beautiful hall, where a -frieze was being conjured into life by the incomparable art of Eric -Gundian, a quite young man of wonderful talent, who had been discovered -by the King one sunshiny morning. - -Each day that Eric Gundian had spent within the King's walls his -reputation had grown, and he had, all unconsciously, become the Court -favourite. His every whim had been an order; and his gay handsome face -had been loved by old and young. - -The creeping jealousies around him had died down of themselves before -the sweetness of his smile and the wonder of his art. - -The sound of his voice was like spring birds singing of love in -green-clad forests, and when the sun shone on his head it was like the -haze of a summer's evening over a ripe cornfield. In his eyes slumbered -the beautiful peace of mountain lakes, and in his heart there lived the -simple trust of a pure soul ... and now Eric Gundian, Eric of the -golden locks--Eric the fairy-fingered, Eric the sweet-voiced had lost -his wits! - -One morning he awoke, and no one could understand the meaning of his -talk; he declared he had had a dream, and in his dream he had seen two -eyes, the eyes he needed for the completing of his picture; and without -those eyes he never again could touch either colour or brush. King Wanda -had called for him to be brought before his presence, but Eric had -sullenly refused to answer his command. - -At first King Wanda had been furiously angry, but then he remembered -Eric's wonderful art, and had deigned to go out to where his favourite -sat on the cool marble steps, that led down to the lake, before the -King's white palace of beauty. - -Eric had risen before the crowned figure that bent towards him a stern -face of inquiry, but to all the King's questions, to all his -persuasions, flatteries, threats, and entreaties Eric had replied with a -sad gesture of resignation, that never again could he take up his brush -till he had found those eyes which had haunted his dream. His pain and -his despair were so evident, that King Wanda felt that no words had -force to move the distracted young man. Sadly he departed, and mounted -one by one the shallow marble steps which reflected in glowing colours -the costly clothes that he wore. Once more he turned and looked down -upon his favourite, who sat, his head in his hands, gazing across the -sparkling lake; he heaved a deep sigh and felt like quarrelling with -Fate who had despoiled him of one of his great joys. - -As he reached the palace door, he was met by the sweet little figure of -his daughter, who came out into the sunshine, gathering up her long -trailing dress, a golden ball clasped in her hands. The King smiled upon -her, and bade her go down to the water's edge to try and console the -young painter with her radiant youth. With a gay laugh Oona rolled her -golden ball down the snow-white steps, and it fell with a splash into -the water at the young man's feet, making great circles that spread, -always widening, over the blue expanse; but Eric never moved, he kept -staring into the distance as if he were following a vision no other eye -could see. Oona came noiselessly down the steps, rather awed by the -silence and stillness of the young man who had always been her gayest -playfellow. - -Gently she drew near to where he sat, and dropped down at his side--then -like a playful kitten she nestled quite close to him and peered up into -his face. The smile faded from her soft lips and gave way to a look of -wonder and distress. She put both arms round her young friend's neck, -and pressing her blossom-like cheek against his shoulder, she asked him -gently if he would not come and play with her beneath the flowering -apple-trees. - -Eric looked at her as if she were a stranger; his eyes seemed to wander -over her fair face without any recognition. Suddenly little Oona was -afraid, and drew back; what had come to her friend? Why was he so -changed? Why did she begin to shiver in the warm sunshine so that all -around her lost light and colour? - -Once more she drew near, her warm little heart longing to help, longing -to bring the smile back to the eyes of her companion. She wore a -dark-red rose in her belt, and drawing it out she pulled the red petals -off, one by one, letting them drop over his bent head down upon the -white marble at his feet. But Eric never looked up; the velvety petals -lay, a fading little heap, unnoticed upon the marble step, till a small -gust of wind swept them into the water which carried them away far out -of sight. - -Poor little Oona rose to her feet; a great fear had come over her; and -gathering up her long white skirts she fled back into the palace as if -she were being pursued. - -Still Eric sat, gazing into space, till night came down and blotted out -all things from his sight. - - - - -II - - I run across hills and dales, I wander through nameless lands ... - because I am hunting for a golden dream. - - TAGORE. - - -The road was long and dusty, and stretched out before the wanderer's -feet. He carried a small wallet on his back, and in his hand was a -strong stick. The little birds on the trees sang glad songs because it -was spring-time, and the branches were weighed down by the wealth of -their blossoms. The wanderer was young, and his face was good to look -upon; his clothes were new, and round his neck he wore a golden chain -which was the royal gift of a King. His step was light and eager, and -there was a look of hope in his eyes; he had a flute in his pocket upon -which he played from time to time a sweet little tune--a little tune the -end notes of which always sounded like an unanswered question. - -None had been able to keep him back; Eric of the golden locks, ... Eric -the fairy-fingered, ... Eric the sweet-voiced, ... Eric the mad painter, -had left the white castle of beauty, to wander the wide world over -seeking for two eyes that had come to him in a dream. - -In the great hall King Wanda stood, looking on the unfinished frieze; it -was a marvellous painting in glowing colours that ran all round the -room. A master hand alone could have been capable of such perfect -composition, such rich colouring, such charm and poetry. The great -procession represented the triumph of Love. - -It was like a wondrous wedding-feast, and all the figures were moving, -an army of joyous youths and maidens, towards a golden throne. On the -throne sat a woman whose golden robe flowed, like a river seen at -sunset, down towards the youths and maidens who were singing songs of -praise, whilst they swung bloom-laden branches over their heads and cast -white roses before the throne of Love. Behind this vision of youth came -stern-faced warriors on snorting chargers, and pearl-crowned queens who -led golden-haired children by the hand. Then came musicians who were -followed by troops of beggars and the tattered forms of the poor, all -hurrying, pressing, streaming towards that golden throne.... But the -woman on the throne had no face. - -The fairy fingers of the artist had stopped here, suddenly; before the -final accomplishment, which was to have crowned his whole masterpiece, -Eric's brush had failed him. In his dreams he had seen the face he -wanted, the eyes that haunted him; but the moment he woke his vision -paled, and no effort of will could call back the look of those eyes -which he needed for the woman on the throne. - -So Eric--the Eric whom every one loved, who had been the stern King's -joy--had gone mad because of the desire for those eyes of his dream. - -The light began to fail in the great hall; still King Wanda stood gazing -at the figure on the throne which had no face. Great rage seized him -because of his helplessness, and a great longing for the fair-haired -youth who had been his joy and pride. Little Oona came up to where he -stood, and slipped her cool hand into his, laying her curly head against -his arm. He turned to her with a deep sigh, and together they passed out -into the flowering garden. - -The wanderer sped along the endless road always farther and farther from -the palace of the King. His shoes were covered with dust, and when his -steps began to lag he would take from his pocket the flute upon which he -played that sad little tune with the questioning notes at the end. - -It was mid-day--Eric had already walked many miles, and now the sun beat -down with great force on his head. He wondered where he was, but only -vaguely, because since his dream he seemed to have another head on his -shoulders, and none of the tidy thoughts of other days would come to -him. He had no notion where he was going; he only knew that he could not -rest until he found that face he needed for his picture, and above all -those great eyes that haunted his dreams. - -He sat very still at the edge of the road where he had thrown himself. -He closed his eyes, and the moment he did so those he was seeking were -before him, great and luminous, with an expression he had never seen in -any other look. How clear they were, and how steadfastly they rested -upon him with never a droop of the eyelids. It did not strike him that -he might be on a fool's errand, he had no doubts and no fears; the great -genius had become like to a little child, confident and with no thoughts -of failure. He had no plan, he simply meant to travel all the world over -till he found what he was seeking; God would care for him as He did for -the birds of the air, and time did not count. He wiped his damp brow, -and then looked about him; all was very still, the air was laden with -the sweet perfumes of summer flowers; the sky was blue, and not a leaf -stirred on the trees. Eric smiled to himself, and played on his flute; -he liked to listen to his own little tunes; they were very sweet to him, -and he quite forgot everything whilst he piped away like a bird. He -began many different melodies, but they always ended on the same -questioning notes. He never remarked that each of his little tunes had -the same ending; to him they were infinitely varied. And intensely sweet -they were, with a haunting sound like human sighs mixed with the -laughter of little children. And now the clearest bird notes rang out, -and then again the sob of a nightingale or the trickling sound of -running water, clear and crystalline, as if a little source were -bubbling forth close by. He was completely absorbed by the music, and -more than one passer-by had stopped a moment to listen; but Eric had -only nodded and smiled as if each one had been a personal acquaintance. - -Then he rose and wandered onwards, always keeping straight along the -road that stretched before him, never inquiring his way, serenely -confident that all would go well with him if he only held his one great -aim in view. - -Before the King's palace Oona, flitting hither and thither, like a gay -butterfly, played with her golden balls in the sunshine, occasionally -tripping over her too royal apparel, her clear laugh sounding through -the summer-laden air. - -But within the still, white palace sat King Wanda, and all the time his -eyes beheld a small cloud of dust, raised by the feet of a golden-haired -youth, who had been the joy of his days, leaving him and all his kingly -splendour to follow a vision which the grey-haired man could never -understand,--and it seemed to him that the little cloud of dust became -always smaller and smaller till he could see it no more. - - - - -III - - From my heart comes out and dances before me the image of my desire. - - TAGORE. - - -The town was tiny and the streets so narrow that conversation could be -held by neighbours across the road beneath the gables. The high pointed -roofs had all the shades of red and brick, and before nearly each small -window bunches of scarlet geraniums bloomed in profusion,--a sleepy -little place, where the grey cats lazily slept in the middle of the -pavement quite undisturbed by any passer-by, quite safe from being run -over. They blinked their eyes in the bright sunshine, and stretched -their supple limbs to the kindly warmth. - -Over the sea of red roofs the different-shaped chimneys sent up their -bluish smoke that hung like a transparent cloud waving slowly backwards -and forwards in the still air. Now steps came along one of the quiet -streets, and the silence was such that they were heard long before the -walker came into sight. He was a quite young man, tired but light of -step, and his uncovered head shone like gold in the sunshine. Round his -neck he wore a heavy golden chain, and his clothes were new; within his -eyes there was a searching look, but a smile was on his face, and the -world seemed to him just one long road upon which he could follow his -dream. He chose the shady side of the street because the day was warm -and the sun had poured down for many hours upon his way. - -All the time he glanced right and left as if expecting to find what he -was looking for; but he was in no hurry, and often a glad little song -broke from his lips, whilst the sound of his strong stick on the cobble -stones had a cheery note that echoed along the houses. Eric felt like a -bird of the air, that could fly whither it would, and for which each -tree was a resting-place. - -He cared little for how long he had wandered, nor for what he had left -behind, nor where he was going; all he needed was a long road that would -lead him on and on until he reached his goal. And his goal might be -reached any day, any hour, any minute. Hope was always within his heart; -but it mattered not if its fulfilment were to-day or to-morrow. - -His smile was so sweet and his face so fair that all were ready to open -their doors to him; so he feared neither hunger nor thirst, neither heat -nor cold, neither night nor storm. - -Now he was feeling rather weary, so he sat down on a doorstep, drew his -flute from his pocket, and began to play soft little runs up and down; -his fingers, as if they were dancing, moving lightly over the small -holes. - -The flies buzzed around him trying to tease him, but he was indifferent -to all except the sweet notes of his flute. So absorbed was he that he -did not hear the door open behind him, and only looked up when a hand -was laid upon his shoulder. - -'Twas the trembling hand of a quite old woman, very bent, her face lined -with many wrinkles, her eyes dim and tired. Eric sprang to his feet and -craved pardon for being in her way. - -She looked hard at him, at first with annoyance; but his wonderful smile -disarmed her, so she hobbled away shaking her head, turning round more -than once to look again at the youthful stranger. She had left the door -into the crooked little house wide open. - -Eric sat down once more upon the steps and continued his music. It was -wonderful the peace it gave him; he needed nothing else--did not even -try to think, leaving Fate to shape events around him. - -From the upper window trails of scarlet geraniums hung down over his -head; a faint breeze fanned them, making some loose petals fall upon his -knees. - -With a smile he gathered them in his hand, enjoying the beauty of their -colour, letting them drop through his fingers, playing with them like a -child. - -And now from inside the house he caught sounds of a sweet voice singing -softly some old, old song. The notes rose and rose until they entirely -filled the small house behind him. - -He looked up to the window, but could see only the red flowers against -the rusty old wall. - -He rose and stood in the doorway, and listened to the voice that sounded -like a bird singing in a wood, singing, singing to its mate a song of -Love. - -It did not make his heart beat as it would have done the hearts of other -youths, but it dawned upon him that the voice was human, and that it -could only belong to a girl or a woman. - -Thoughts came but slowly to him as through a mist, because we know that -since that fatal morning Eric Gundian had lost his wits. - -But Eric Gundian was still, to all outward appearance, the same -beautiful young man, with the same face, the same golden hair, the same -luminous smile that bespoke the simple trust of a pure soul.... Now, -moved by some irresistible impulse, Eric walked into the house, and, led -by the glorious voice, climbed the narrow dark stairs, up, up, as if he -were mounting into the skies. Then before the open door of a small -sunlit room, he suddenly paused, seized with wonder.... - -Sitting near the window, her fair head bent over her work, was a lovely -maiden: she drew stitch after stitch through the snow-white linen, and -the hand which held the shining thread moved backwards and forwards like -a dove hovering over a gateway. - -As she worked the song burst from her lips; she sang and sang, with the -glorious gladness of youth which has not yet known either sorrow or -disappointment. There was nothing sad in her tune, it was all hope and -joy and sweetness. Behind her head the geraniums made a fiery haze where -the sun smote upon them with the blinding rays of summer. Then it was -that Gundian felt all his soul awake with the longing that she would -look up, so that he might see her eyes.... - -Perhaps they would be the eyes he was searching for. To-day, to-morrow, -this hour, or the next he was sure to meet them. - -The maiden, all unconscious of his presence, sang on and on, from one -song to another, the sweetness of her voice ringing through the -stillness like glad Easter bells. - -The wanderer held his breath; and, both hands pressed against his -breast, waited in a sort of agony for her to raise her head. - -At last she did so, but it was towards the window she looked. - -She even left her chair and reached far out over the red geraniums to -glance into the street below. - -As she sat down her eyes turned to the door where the stranger stood -watching. With a little cry of fear she crumpled the white linen against -her and stared at him without finding a word. - -Impulsively Eric sprang forward, and taking her with a quick movement by -both shoulders, he whirled her round to the light, peering with a hungry -longing into her eyes.... All was done in a flash; the astonished girl -was so taken by surprise that she had no time to defend herself against -so sudden an onslaught. - -But hardly had he seen her eyes than he let her go again, and putting -his two hands over his face, with a cry of disappointment, he turned and -fled. - -Down the dark narrow stairs he sped, out into the bright sunlight; there -he paused a moment to pick up his stick and flute, then ran as if -possessed; and before long he had left the sleepy red-roofed little town -far behind.... Still he ran, ran, eager to get away from the eyes which -were not the eyes he wanted. - - - - -IV - - I have come far, led by my dreams and visions. - - TAGORE. - - -The moon was shining down upon an endless expanse of snow--as far as the -eye could reach, snow, snow, white and dazzling, strewn with a million -glittering diamonds. - -It had ceased snowing; the storm was over; but the wind still blew in -biting blasts, forcing the wanderer to draw his cloak more closely -around him, and to bend his head, as he slowly advanced over that -everlasting desert of white. - -He walked and walked; there was no end to this frozen snow-field over -which his feet had made a narrow little path that alone disturbed the -shroud-like surface. And always longer and longer it grew, zigzagging -beneath the quiet face of the moon. - -From time to time the wind blew snowflakes against him, and they beat in -his face like a thousand pins, obliging him to shut his eyes not to be -blinded. - -Each flake had another shape; there were stars and crosses, moss-like -flowers and strangely shaped butterflies, all dancing in mad circles -around the lonely wayfarer. - -Some kept their beautiful shape even when fallen to the ground, and the -moon would light them up like precious jewels out of a queenly casket. - -The young man was the only living thing in this wilderness of ice and -snow. - -He could not have told how he had got there; what will was driving him -always onwards upon his mad search; but nothing had power to stop him, -nor had fear any place in his soul. - -Now, even the wind died down and a hush fell over all things. - -The light of the moon became intenser in the growing stillness. - -Looking up, Eric saw myriads of stars twinkling down upon him from -unknown heights, like friendly eyes encouraging him on his way. For a -moment he stood still; the silence was now as overpowering as the storm -had been; everything around him was bathed in a cold hard light, the -whiteness of which ceaselessly burnt into his brain. Suddenly a little -bluey flame came dancing out of the distance, then another, and another, -always more numerous, till the whole expanse was covered with them; a -wavering army of little lights, like thousands of lost souls coming -together for a last parade in this land of the forgotten. Eric tried to -seize one with his frozen fingers, but no sooner had he thought to grasp -it than it slid away like a shape in a dream. - -Then with childlike eagerness he began a mad chase after the elusive -little flames, running to and fro in the moonlight in an effort to catch -them, yet never succeeding; there were always more and more lights -tempting him onwards over that desert of snow. - -At last he laughed aloud, standing still to watch the little blue flames -float away into the unknown out of which they had come, one after -another like a long procession of pilgrims in the night.... - -They became always smaller and smaller, seeming to beckon to him as they -disappeared, inviting him to follow once more in a mad chase over the -hard frozen snow. - -A glow had spread over Eric's cheeks, his eyes sparkled, and the moon -reflected herself within them. He uncovered his head, throwing back his -golden locks with a boyish gesture, whilst he stood still to watch the -wonder of this northern night so clear and dazzling. - -As he waited with arms outstretched trying to grasp all the beauty to -his heart, the artist in him keenly alive to his surroundings, he -discerned a shadow approaching, followed by a second and then a third. -And as they came nearer he realized that they were great white bears -hardly to be distinguished from their background. - -Our wanderer felt no thrill of fear, the great beasts were so completely -in keeping with their surroundings; their white skins harmonized -perfectly with the immaculate snow. They came slowly towards him, quiet -and majestic, slightly swinging their heavy bodies as they glided -onwards. He could count about twenty. - -Their huge soft feet marked also a little road on the even surface which -would soon join the one Eric had made from the opposite direction. Now -they were quite near; their warm breath made little clouds before them -that surrounded their pointed heads like a mist. - -Eric watched, fascinated, and made no movement to get out of their way. - -The first reached him, and without taking the slightest notice passed -on, making a small circle, but did not pause in his quiet march; and the -others followed in the traces his feet had left behind him, ten, twenty, -thirty. Eric counted them and always more and more came noiselessly over -the snow. - -But now there was another shape rising out of the distance, apparently -as white as the watchful animals that led the way, the form of a tall -woman whose garments fell around her in glittering folds. - -Eric could not yet discern her features, she was too far off; but he -saw how more than once she paused, bending down to gather from the snow -something which she held within her hands, gazing upon it with curious -intensity. - -Nearer and nearer she glided, her bare feet hardly touching the ground. -She seemed shaped out of floating mists. - -All the splendour of the night, the dazzling brilliancy, the vast -snow-field, the glory of the moon, the myriad stars, all paled before -the beauty of the woman that now approached. - -Everything about her was white, glistening and shining; so shining that -the human eye could hardly bear the radiance. Her long white hair hung -about her; a circle of glow-worms surrounded her forehead. Her head was -bent, still gazing on that which she held in her hand. On either side -marched one of the great bears like two guardians. Just as she neared -the spot where Eric stood she once more bent to the snow, and with -almost loving precaution raised something in her hand. - -As she did so her eyes met Eric's--they were beautiful eyes--large, -dark, blazing like two burning coals. The young man felt a great emotion -when they rested upon him, yet he knew directly that they were not the -eyes he was seeking; but greatly did he long to know who the beautiful -woman was, and what she was gathering in the snow. - -As if guessing his thoughts she spoke in a clear, soft voice, always -keeping her eyes fixed on his, "Thou wouldst know who I am, O lonely -wanderer? I am the queen of these vast regions of snow--my home is -yonder, where none dare dwell--and on nights when the moon shines bright -I come out of my castle of ice and wander over this desert of white, -searching for the broken hearts that have been banished here. It is only -when the moon shines bright that I can find them, for they are hidden so -far and wide that in the dark nights I could not see them,--and in the -day never can I wander about,--the night alone is made for me. See, I -will show thee those I have found." - -And opening her hand, Eric perceived three little pulsing hearts, -beating, beating like frightened birds--and each little heart was -broken, and drops of blood stained the white fingers of the snow-maiden. - -She leant towards them and very gently touched them with her lips. - -"I carry them home with me," continued the strange woman, "and I put -them there where they are safe, and where they can await God's last -call. I send my little dancing lights before me, and my ice bears walk -with me everywhere. They come from great distances; the moment the moon -shines bright they all assemble before my palace to let me know it is -time for me to begin my search. They make my way, so that I should not -go where the snow is too deep, or where the ice would wound my feet. - -"Come! if thou art not afraid, and I shall show thee where I keep my -precious treasure of broken hearts." - -Stretching her hand out to the young man, she clasped his, and he found -himself being drawn along across the great white plain, quicker, always -quicker--till all was but a mist before his eyes; yet he felt that even -if it were to death he was being hurried he could not but follow this -wonderful vision of the night. - -Faster and faster became their pace. - -Eric hardly knew how he was moving; on both sides of them ran the white -bears keeping step with their racing. - -All of a sudden his beautiful guide stopped. - -And pointing before her Eric looked ... and there, rising out of the -mist, hanging in the air, was a gigantic castle, built out of ice, that -glittered and sparkled above the clouds--a marvellous sight, the -dream-like vision of another world. - -The snow-maiden again seized her companion's hand, and now she was -leading him up a thousand slippery steps, hewn out of ice, that seemed -to wind through the clouds. Eric's breath came in gasps; but still on -rushed the fair woman, as with winged feet, till they reached a large -space before the palace portals. - -They stood wide open, and from within streamed forth a blue light that -gleamed far out over the smooth snow. "Come," said the snow-maiden, and -she put her finger to her lips. - -Still holding Eric by the hand, she led him through the wide-open doors -into a vast hall, made of ice and snow. Great columns supported the -domed roof, and the windows that were of transparent ice gave a strange -blue light that filled the whole place. - -The hall was quite empty; the floor was put together out of small pieces -of ice forming wonderful patterns that shimmered in different shades of -white. In the middle a small descending staircase interrupted the smooth -surface--a sort of dark well, the first steps of which shone bluish and -ghost-like. A great light came up from somewhere far down in the heart -of the earth. - -The snow-maiden, still tightly clasping Eric's hand, now began to -descend the narrow stairs, and the deeper they went the stronger became -the light, till they reached a low vaulted chamber of great size and -quite round, in the middle of which burnt a blinding circle of light. At -first Eric was too bewildered to grasp the meaning of that ring of -flame; then he recognized the little tongues of fire that had mocked him -out yonder in the wilderness. The snow-maiden had sunk on her knees, and -beckoning Eric to come nearer, she raised one of the little fluttering -blazes that remained balanced on her hand like a luminous butterfly. - -Eric stared, his head close to his beautiful companion's, and saw a -small hole made in the snow, where lay a tiny red heart which was split -right across. - -"This," whispered the snow-maiden, "is the heart of a poor little child, -whose mother abandoned it, and who died of grief. I found it several -years ago. - -"Every day I come here to all my hearts, so that they shall not feel -lonely; and these little flames are their guardians. Each little -will-o'-the-wisp protects one of the hearts and keeps it warm, so that -it shall not perish. - -"And see! This one is my favourite, but it is very difficult to keep -alive because it spent its life too rapidly, too passionately. It is the -heart of a poet and a lover; a lover whose passion was so violent that -he died quite suddenly, one flower-scented night, when his hope had been -torn from him, and his heart broke right in two. Behold I had to bind it -together with the silver threads of my hair--and often, very often, must -I lay my warm lips against it because it cannot bear its longing." - -The white woman held the bound pieces in both hands, and gazed upon them -with yearning tenderness, whilst two of the little blue lights hovered -near, throwing a beautiful radiance over her face. - -"Beside this one I always keep two little flames, because it needs more -care than all the others; a poet's heart is so frail a thing; and how -much more so a poet that was a lover!" - -With the utmost gentleness she laid the heart down and bent towards -another. - -"This is the heart of a mother who lost all her blessed treasures; see -how cruelly wounded it is; but it is the strongest of all, because the -strength of a mother's heart is unequalled by any other--and God has a -special place awaiting it when the great Day comes." - -From heart to heart the snow-maiden moved, with bent head and gentle -hands. - -The circle of glow-worms round her brow flickered and sparkled like a -magic flower. - -"This heart," said the snow-maiden, raising a very dark object in her -hand, "is black, because it is that of a great sinner; and sometimes the -glow that guards it becomes quite small and dim, almost goes out; -because the heart suffers greatly of its own wickedness; it was saved -because it broke. - -"I found it very far off, in a place amongst rocks; and when I tried to -raise it, it began to roll away from me, always farther, so that I had -to run, to run after it with an anxious feeling that I would not be able -to save it. It left traces of blood wherever it passed, so at last I -discovered it in a dark hole beside a skull that grimaced at me with a -hollow grin: when finally I held it in my warm hand I knew that it was -at rest, and I carried it home very slowly. - -"Whilst I retraced my steps along the weary way I had come, I sang to -it, soft simple songs that children love. As I sang I felt the warm -blood trickle through my fingers, and upon the snow I saw that all the -drops of blood had run together into the form of a small red cross, -which marked upon the whiteness a sign of forgiveness. - -"I looked at my hand and noticed that the drops of blood had turned into -tears which left no more stain where they fell, but had washed from my -fingers all traces of soil. This heart also needs me, but in another -way; I always sing to it those simple songs, for it must forget all else -except the days when it was at its mother's knee." Stretching her hands -across the circle of light the tall vision in the dazzling robe seemed -to bless the many waiting throbbing hearts. - -"I call this place my garden of expectation! And one day a great joy -will arise from it; ... songs of praise sung by myriads of heavenly -voices; ... and this light is but feeble compared to the light which -will shine that day." - -Eric was still on his knees; he looked up at that glorious form beside -him, and as entranced he watched, her long white hair turned into a soft -misty veil that flowed down upon the ice like the mantle of a saint, and -the circle of glow-worms had become a halo round the face, that was the -face of one of God's own angels. - - - - -V - - And though blind and deaf for a hundred years I would see her more - fair than any poet has sung. - - FIONA MACLEOD. - - -Eric had now left the snow-maiden far behind, had left her there amongst -the broken hearts she tended with such gentle hand and deep -understanding. - -He had gazed his last upon her as she stood in the circle of light all -shining and bright; and then, knowing that he must go, he had torn -himself away, feeling that otherwise he would not have the strength to -continue his road, and part from a being so full of radiance and -wonderful beauty. - -And now he was wandering in a great forest of fir-trees, his feet -skimming quickly over the crackling snow. It was still night around him, -but all the trees were lit with millions of candles. Each tree was an -enormous Christmas tree. The whole wood was one blaze of light ... this -he knew was the snow-maiden's garden! - -It was an astonishing sight; but he fled along; he dared not stay. - -As he ran he heard the sound of many wings following him. He lifted his -head; in and out through the great branches of the candle-lit pines he -saw huge white birds appear and disappear, but so rapidly that he could -never distinguish what kind they were. - -Now he came out of the forest, and saw a vast frozen sea before him. As -he stepped from the shelter of the trees the whole air was filled with -white wings. He looked up and saw endless flocks of wild swans; and -circling far above them were eagles as white as they, which flew always -higher, higher, farther, farther, settling at last upon the blocks of -ice that formed forbidding barriers between sea and land. - -All these feathered creatures were the companions of the beautiful woman -he had left. - -He turned, and there, rising above the illuminated forest, far above the -clouds, seemingly suspended in the air, was the castle of ice, revealed -a last time to his enraptured sight. - -He threw out his arms full of longing, as if he too had left his heart -within those translucent walls ... then the heavy snow-laden clouds -descended and wiped out the dream like a vision of the night. - - - - -VI - - Joy rises in me like a summer's morn. - - COLERIDGE. - - -It was evening; the sea was calm--so calm that it looked like an -enormous mirror into which the sky was reflecting its manifold hues, -resembling a crowned woman trying on before her glass various gorgeous -robes of glowing colours. Eric Gundian sat at the helm of the boat, his -hands folded, gazing before him at the burning horizon; above him the -huge rusty sail spread like the giant wing of a bird. The boat moved -slowly, and yet it cut steadily through the water, whilst the deep green -waves ran along each side like racers--Gundian was waiting ... he knew -not for what, but a great peace was over his soul, and his eyes had a -steadfast look of happiness. - -The sky was unfurling before him its most precious colours, all the -tones of red and gold and orange, reminding him of the palette he had -put away. - -Now his hands were idle, no doubt, but the artist was still keenly -alive, and this beauty and peace seemed part of the very depth of his -nature. - -Far down within him he knew that his great talent slept, awaiting the -day when his hands would be untied to finish his great work. - -His hope and trust were simple, and his smile was sweeter than ever. - -The red of the sky began now to stain the quiet endless sea--it sank -beneath the surface till the whole moving mass was an ocean of flame -and light; the little waves that ran along on both sides were like -sea-maidens trailing their shining tresses over the water. - -Gundian rose and stood at the very extremity of the boat, his slim -figure outlined by a circle of light. Then he raised his clear young -voice, and sang an old song of his country, a song so strange and sweet, -that the sailors behind him took up the chorus and the deep manly voices -joined in, forming a long echo to the triumphant notes of their young -companion. - -He turned round to them, his golden locks thrown back, his beautiful -eyes full of dreams and the strength of all his hopes; they had the -feeling that with his youth and beauty he was the very incarnation of -life and love. Now his voice was softer; the song became a great sigh of -longing, like a long-drawn effort towards the boundless, unreachable -promises of life. - -The old men sank on their knees and the young ones covered their eyes -with their hands; each saw before his mind the dreams of his manhood, -the loves he had left, the hopes he had buried, the future he longed for -or feared. - -The glorious colours had paled, only a faint reflection remained; the -wind began to fill the sail, the boat seemed to bound forward on its -course. - -Eric's upright figure had lost its circle of light; his dark form at the -helm of the boat was seen now above, now beneath the horizon. - -The waves grew in size, and were no longer like slim racers keeping pace -with the friendly vessel, but more like great angry beasts longing to -consume the frail craft that so confidently rode upon their restless -heaving backs. - -The sail suddenly filled and expanded ready to burst; and the seamen -tightened the cords, being tossed from side to side as they moved -about. - -Gundian's face was wet with the spray; his bright young eyes peered -before him into the growing darkness. - -A lantern had been lit and shone far above him like the Star of -Bethlehem, flashing on his uncovered head, casting in turn lights and -shadows over the fairness of his face. The boat bounded and creaked and -groaned; the wind began to howl, frightened gulls flew around the sail -with cries of distress, their white wings passing in and out of the -gleam of the lantern. - -The waves grew greater and greater, beating the sides of the vessel, -throwing huge masses of water over the low rail. Eric had to keep a firm -grip on the ropes so as not to be hurled into the restless, surging, -wailing deep--to him this growing storm was a mighty joy; he revelled in -the wind with its many tormented voices; he loved the salt water that -dashed in his face, drenched his clothes, and tore at the chain he wore -round his neck. - -He loved the heaving and sinking of the vessel under him; he loved the -weird shrieks of the birds, the flashing of their white wings when they -came within the halo,--loved the shimmer of the lantern on the enormous, -rolling, always advancing waves. - -He trusted the seaman that sailed the ship--trusted the strong boards on -which he stood,--above all he trusted with a child's simplicity the -great God above. - -All through the night the storm howled, and raged, and sobbed; and the -brave little craft fought her way through the foaming masses, till the -morning slowly overcame the darkness, bringing with the new day a hush -that held a promise of peace and rest. Thus did day follow on day, night -on night. - -Gundian either basked in the sun, or hardened his hands working with the -sailors, or sang them sweet songs that melted their hearts, fired their -blood, awoke their longings, brought tears to their eyes, or a laugh to -their lips. But at times he would also play his little flute; then, all -else vanished from his mind, and always, always did the flute hold the -same questioning notes that were like the cry of his soul for the -unknown vision he was pursuing, that dreams alone allowed him to grasp. - -The rough men in the boat looked upon him as a bright being of another -sphere. They imagined he brought luck to their voyage, that his presence -calmed the storm and had power over the elements, that his wonderful -voice and magic flute enchanted the striving, ever-changing winds and -waves. They loved him, and were in fear of the day when he would bid -them good-bye and withdraw his sunny presence from their lives. - -They felt that he was but a bird of passage, that it lay not within -their power to keep him for ever amongst them, and each day that they -looked on his guileless face and on the light that kindled in his eye, -was a gift from on high, a day of blessing and plenty. - -Eric could not explain why he remained, neither did he know why all of a -sudden, one day of calm and gladness, he felt he must take up again the -call of the road that lay before him. - -It was on a distant and lonely shore; the boat lay drawn up on the -shell-covered beach. - -The golden-haired youth looked up into the sky and saw a small bird -flying into the limitless distance. - -Then Eric knew that he must follow the direction in which the bird had -disappeared. - -They could not stop him, he had to go. He took his thick stick in his -hand, put his flute in his pocket, hung his cloak over his shoulder; -then, turning round many a time to wave his cap to the rough companions -of yesterday, he walked away into the growing heat of the day. - - - - -VII - - Yet there was round thee such a dawn of light ne'er seen before. - - WOLFE. - - -The shore was endless and straight, Eric felt no fatigue; his face was -browned by the wind, the waves, and the sun. His eyes had taken some of -the blue of sea and sky. His clothes were soiled, and looked less new -than the day he had left King Wanda's palace. - -But the chain around his neck glistened in the heat of the noon. - -Eric walked and walked, advancing but slowly, because his feet sank into -the deep sand as he went. - -As usual his heart was full of joy, and it mattered little to him where -he went, although no changing beauty of the coast, no small cloud in the -sky, no light in the sea passed by unnoticed. - -To him each separate beauty was like a picture his soul had conceived. - -Now high rocks began to change the aspect of the flat lonely coast, and -soon all the young man's activity was needed to climb the obstacles that -blocked his way. - -From that moment his advance became slower and more painful, he had to -draw breath; more than once he had thrown himself down upon the soft -sand, his golden locks hidden amongst the wet pebbles, his heart -thumping against his side. But he loved it all, rocks and sea and -burning sun; and each difficulty that arose on the road made him feel -but all the happier. A joyful heart is one of God's most precious -gifts. - -It was late afternoon; and, having climbed over some slippery rocks, -Eric reached a quiet little bay, narrow, and rounded by precipitous -cliffs on all sides. - -There the sea was very silent, very green and transparent, and the flat -little waves hardly made a sound as each in turn left a white line of -foam along the powdery sand. - -Eric lay on his back, his cap drawn over his eyes, his cloak rolled up -under his head, a pleasant drowsiness filling his being after the -efforts he had made. - -Suddenly he sat up with a start, wide awake now, all his senses alert. -He had heard something which sounded like the deep tones of a bell, -coming from afar off, but distinctly, like a dismal and yet persistent -voice, calling ... calling. - -He looked around him full of excitement, keenly interested, and ready -for any new adventure. - -He rose to his feet and stood, his hand to his ear, listening. - -For a moment there was silence, and then again distinctly the sound of a -deep-toned bell--and this time he distinguished that the sound came from -the rocks that bounded the farther side of the little bay. - -Eric felt he must follow that sound; it drew him towards it; he could -not resist those deep tones calling, calling.... A voice full of warning -or invitation?... - -He could not make out which, neither did he worry his mind about -it,--was he not a bird of the air free and joyful, always a song on his -lips, loving the sun that shone down upon him, the air that caressed his -cheeks, and the good firm earth on which he stood? - -The notes of the bell were now louder, now softer; but their tone could -not be resisted, and the beautiful youth felt he must follow; so he -began moving towards the spot whence the sound seemed to be coming. - -Soon he stood before a high cliff over which long creeping plants were -growing, hanging flexible branches covered over and over with some -coral-coloured berry, more like long chains of bright beads than a -living plant. - -This was the only rock on which anything grew, and the shoots took root -apparently out of the dark hard stone high above his head. He lifted -some of the long trailing branches in both his hands, and as he did so -the sound of the bell was distinctly heard, as if quite near. - -Eric knelt down and noticed with surprise that there was a large opening -in the rock, beneath the coral-coloured plant, like the entry to a cave; -he stooped, carefully avoiding the hanging growth, and advanced -gropingly to find himself in a dark tunnel. - -The sound of the bell was more and more distinct, the calling more -insistent. With crouching gait Eric moved along, feeling his way with -his hands; it was quite dark, and the passage was narrow, with damp -rough sides, against which he often bruised his fingers. - -Now a curious greenish light began to relieve the complete obscurity in -which he had been for some minutes, and little by little Eric -distinguished in the far distance what was probably the end of the -mysterious entry. - -The green light became always stronger; and now our wanderer found -himself inside the most marvellous place he had ever seen. - -It was a grotto, the walls and domed roof of which had the hue of -transparent emeralds; and all around was green--the rocks, the sand, the -deep pool of water at his feet, all radiated rays of liquid green light. - -The strip of beach he stood upon was quite shallow, so that his feet -almost touched the deep dark water. In the middle of the tiny lake that -filled this wonderful grotto hung a bell, also green and wondrously -shining; and although the rest of the water was absolutely calm, strong -short waves rose from the centre and hit against the bell, bringing -forth the deep boom that had first lured Eric into this magic hall. - -Straight across the dark water a narrow bridge was stretched, both sides -resting on the tinted sand, passing in the middle quite near to the -calling bell. - -The bridge was but a yielding plank, a hand's-breadth wide, overgrown -with slippery, dripping moss as green as grass on a spring day when the -sun shines over it. - -The bell gave out weird sounds, sometimes like a cautioning voice -warning him against some danger--then again it was full of love and -entreaty, containing an endless promise of joy and sweetness. - -But Eric was too young and happy to hear within its notes anything but -entrancing melodies existing solely to delight his ears. - -Unhesitatingly he stepped on to the swaying board, upon which he could -only advance by carefully putting one foot before the other, almost like -balancing himself on a tight-rope. This gave him great joy, and his -merry laugh echoed round the green walls as if he were joking with gay -comrades. An immense curiosity was upon him to look at the bell from -near, and to see what lay on the other side of the dark lake. - -He had the intuition that something still more surprising was hidden not -far off. - -The slippery plank dipped beneath his weight; he could hardly keep his -footing on the slimy moss that clung to it. But Eric was nimble, young, -and daring; besides, he could swim like a fish, and was absolutely -fearless. - -The depth beneath him seemed bottomless; only now and again his eyes -distinguished shadowy forms moving about, but what they were he could -not see. - -Now he was close to the bell, and the little waves were striking it on -all sides, making its tones so varied as to become a bewitching song of -penetrating sweetness. - -Eric bent his ear down to the bell, which was whispering something to -him under cover of the appealing notes,--but he did not understand, he -only laughed and stroked the bell, quite heedless of the repeated -warning that once again came from the depths of the lake. - -He stood up on the quivering footway, and in answer to the old bell's -voice he raised his own, clear and ringing, within which lay all the joy -and gladness of an untouched heart and an unsoiled life, pure, -crystalline, like the voice of an angel. - -Stronger and stronger came the floods of melody; all round the green -sides the glad notes resounded like a thousand answers, responding to -the boundless life-joy that this human voice contained. - -Again he bent to the old bell and touched it with both hands; then -hurried on over the perilous bridge, eager to reach the other side and -to see what lay beyond. - -Now he stood on the farther shore; all about him the light streamed -green and transparent; but it was not only the green light that shone -upon him; another one was penetrating within the dim grotto, showing him -a second dark passage beyond; a golden light as if all the rays of the -sun had been concentrated into a fiery river. - -Eric ran forward like an impetuous child following a butterfly, full of -tremendous eagerness for whatever might be waiting there in the middle -of that dazzling radiance. - -But such beauty met his gaze, such overpowering enchantment, that he -stood still completely overcome. - -His breath came fast, his eyes stared wide open, enraptured, his -artist's soul quivering with ecstasy before what he saw. He was within a -hall of purest marble, the walls, and floor, and roof all white and -glistening like freshly-fallen snow, upon which myriads of crystals -shone, resembling hoar frost on a sunny winter's morn. - -In the centre, on a throne, sat a woman whose dress was even whiter than -her surroundings. It lay in long straight folds, and the hem was a thick -mass of blazing diamonds. It rippled down the steps of the throne, and -spread over the spotless floor where the gems flashed in all colours of -the rainbow. - -The throne was carved out of a gigantic block of pale-green jade that -was smooth and polished like ice. The woman's feet rested upon a lion -whose skin was as white as the draperies on which he couched. His -immense head lay upon his formidable paws, his eyes looked out, with a -watchful intentness, beneath his tousled mane. On each side of the -throne, fixed into the marble floor, two tall thick tapers burned, -whilst the wax ran dripping down their sides like small frozen rivers. - -The candles were crowned by flickering blue lights and exhaled a -delicious perfume; a vapour rose from them in hazy clouds towards the -ceiling, where they hung like a thin mist. - -Round throne and tapers garlands of milk-white anemones with golden -hearts were wound. - -They had shed many of their petals, which lay like snow upon the marble -floor. - -The woman sat rigid, upright, a mass of fair hair covering her shoulders -and streaming down her back. - -On her head she wore a thick wreath of the same white anemones fitting -closely to her forehead; but the strangest of all was that the woman's -eyes were covered with a bandage. - -A plain white cloth was bound round her temples beneath the wreath of -flowers. - -No movement came from the throne; the queenly apparition sat motionless -like unto a statue; the light of the candles alone flickered in the -still air, and the little bluey mists that arose from them hung over the -silent woman's head like a soft veil. - -Eric was too entranced by the gorgeous sight to make a single step -forward. Yet he longed to tear the bandage from the covered eyes, in the -great hope that it might hide the look for which he was ever restlessly -searching. Suddenly the beautiful vision rose from her throne, and the -great beast at her feet also got up, standing beside her like the -guardian of some ancient temple. - -Slowly the woman descended the four polished steps, her long robe -trailing behind her, sweeping away the fallen leaves of the flowers, the -precious gems making a tinkling sound as they hit against the cool green -jade. - -Her feet were bare, and Gundian noticed, as she placed them by turns on -the steps, how marvellous they were. - -Slowly she came towards him, both hands outstretched before her, with -the searching movement of the blind. - -Then Eric, too, advanced with the feeling that he must take one of those -groping hands and lead this divine creature wherever she might wish to -go. - -Now her voice rose soft and bewitching: "Long have I waited thy coming, -fair stranger. I have been sitting here on my throne in sadness and -silence, because thou hast tarried on the road. - -"Thou lovest sky, sea, earth, and sun overmuch, but now that thou hast -reached me I shall open unto thee other joys of which thou hast never -dreamed. - -"Thy way hath been long, and thou hast wasted many a precious day, but -let that be of no account now that thou art here," and so saying, with a -gentle movement she laid one of her arms about the boy's shoulders and -drew him quietly to her over the snowy floor in the direction of her -throne. - -Eric was speechless, quite unprepared for so warm a reception; but -without resistance, as in a trance, he let himself be led by this -matchless being of light, and sank down upon the steps of the throne at -her feet where the lion had had his place. - -And there, his head close against the wondrous woman's knees, he -listened in a dreamy transport to the witchery of her voice--not quite -conscious of all she was saying, but the sound was so sweet, and the -touch of her hand so restful and loving, that all his life throbbed -within him in unspeakable delight. - -He had entirely forgotten his desire to tear the bandage from her eyes. -He felt his will melt beneath her caress and the sound of her voice. - -He had no wish left but to sit there for ever, listening and drinking in -all the inimitable glory of the place. Now the soft voice was telling -him--her face bent down to his, her hair falling in golden waves around -him--about all the wonders she was going to show him if he would only -remain with her,--of all the riches she would strew before his feet, the -music she would play him, the many-tinted flowers she would give him, -the costly apparel in which she would clothe him, the variety of -sweet-tasting dishes she would set before him to choose from ... if he -did not leave her! - -Eric looked up in surprise; certainly he would not leave her! Why should -he go from anything so white, so beautiful, so good, and so fair. - -He bent his head and kissed one of the clinging hands that caressed him -so softly; oh, without doubt he would stay as long as she wished! - -The woman threw back her head and laughed. - -Somehow that laugh was the only discord Eric had felt since he was -within those walls; but he thought nothing of it, only it was like a -little icy drop of water running down between his shoulders--and he -wished she would not laugh; far better did he love to feel her soft -breath on his cheek, and her gentle fingers passing through his wavy -locks. - -He rose to his knees on the step at her feet and, seizing both her -hands, he begged to be allowed to remove the bandage from her eyes. - -But the fair enchantress drew back, disengaging herself from his eager -hands. - -"For shame!" she cried, and once more her laugh rang out sharply. - -"Who would be so rough! And wish all the mysteries to be revealed at -once? This cloth over my eyes must remain till I give thee leave to -remove it. But much hast thou to learn before that hour strikes. - -"It deems me thou art but a reckless youth, understanding but badly how -to spend thy riches, little realizing the charm of expectation!" - -And again bending her tantalizing face quite close to his, her lips -hidden amongst his curls, she murmured: - -"I shall teach thee, oh so many things; but first of all must I know thy -history and why thou art thus wandering aimlessly through the wide, wide -world." - -Then Eric, still on his knees, his hands pressed against her lap like an -anxious child, told her his tale, and how his whole soul was full of the -ardent need of finding the face and eyes he wanted for completing his -masterpiece. "And perhaps thou hidest behind that cloth the very eyes I -have been searching for the wide world over!--that is why my hands are -so eager to tear from thy brow what may be masking all my happiness!" - -And then Eric began to plead, his beautiful face flushed and excited, -his bright eyes entreating, his body quivering; indeed, a sight for the -gods in all his youthful perfection. - -The woman, although her eyes were covered, seemed aware of what was -going on, and replied again laughing, "Not yet, not yet!--but give me -thy hand and I shall lead thee through the joys I have in store for -thee, and at the end thou mayest quite forget what now thou deemest thy -only aim in life;" and like tinkling, cold, silver bells the woman's -laugh echoed round the snowy vaults. - -Fascinated and unresisting our young painter clung to her cool hand, and -let himself be drawn away from the white chamber. - -He followed her noiseless steps, feeling that wherever she led he would -follow, follow, because he had given over his will into those -outstretched hands, that had quite taken possession of his heart, and -soul, and senses. - - - - -VIII - - I am restless, I am athirst for far away things. - - TAGORE. - - -Eric lay at the feet of the enchantress. Days had passed, and from one -beauty to another she had been leading him. But her laugh had become -always harder, a note of impatience had stolen into the silken tones of -her voice. - -[Illustration: _Eric lay now, stretched at the feet of the woman he -could not leave._] - -This youth was in truth but a child, his hands grasping at the sun-rays, -plucking the flowers, taking the joys that were offered him, lightly -laughing at the birds, sublimely unconscious that perhaps something -might be asked of him in return. - -Often he begged the one who held him captive to uncover her eyes, -explaining that although he was happy in his new surroundings he could -not tarry for ever; the open world lay before him through which he was -still pursuing the same vision. - -But again and again his companion put him off with fresh -promises--heaping upon him new joys and pleasures, till he felt weary of -so much ease and comfort; there were even times when he had a longing -for the dusty roads,--the heat of the sun--the dangers of the dark -night--for storm and wind. - -At those moments the strange woman seemed to read his thoughts in spite -of the bandage over her eyes; and she would redouble her kindness, -always having a fresh joy in store for him, something unexpected and -enchanting. - -Eric lay now, as the lion used to lie, stretched at the feet of the -woman he could not leave. - -To-day she sat upon a marble bench within a garden where nearly all the -flowers were blue. The garden was small and square, paved with marble; -two narrow water channels, lined with peacock-blue tiles, ran crossways -through it. In the centre stood a marble well; those who leaned over the -side to look into the depths noticed that the water was blue as the sea, -and strange voices seemed calling from below with monotonous entreaty. - -On all sides high walls encircled the garden, and shady trees spread -over the whole enclosure, casting mysterious lights and patterns upon -the cool floor. - -The flowers were so blue that they also had the colour of the summer sea -when the sun beats on it in all his force. Small marble paths ran along -between the beds, and each path was bordered by some low-growing -fire-coloured flower that glowed with the intensity of a furnace. - -Each day the woman was clad in a garment of gorgeous magnificence, each -day more splendid than the last; but never again had she been robed in -the snowy folds of the first day, which Eric had loved best of all. - -Now, as she leaned against the carved bench, her dress seemed woven out -of the changing colours of the rainbow. It was golden at the shoulders, -turning gradually into green, blue, and violet, always richer in hue, -till at the foot it deepened into bright-toned purples upon the dark -carpet where Eric rested quite close to her feet. - -As always, those little feet were bare, with only thin sandals to -protect the soft soles from the hardness of the stone. - -Round her forehead lay a thick dark wreath of corn-flowers, beneath -which the bandage showed startling white. - -Her hands were ceaselessly playing with long chains of sapphires and -emeralds. She gathered them into her palms, and let them slip between -her fingers, down upon her golden robe, like bright water splashing out -of a precious jar. - -Around the well, upon low marble seats, were grouped the fairest maidens -that earth could give, and they were like unto a wreath of many-shaded -flowers. - -They all had coronals of blossoms on their heads in the shades of the -robes they wore; and each held a golden harp on which she played tunes -that melted heart and soul. - -All the maidens turned their eyes towards the beautiful lad who lay -among the folds of the woman's dress--but none, oh! none had the orbs of -his dream! - -He had searched their faces in turn, and it had been all in vain. - -Fair faces they had; their arms were soft and white; their long hair -trailed on the ground mixing with the petals that had fallen from the -wreaths. - -The air was heavy with the perfume that came from the flowers, and the -sweet tones of the harps sighed amongst the spreading branches of the -trees. - -But Eric was restless, he felt cramped in this garden of beauty; -resentment began to grow in his heart against this fair being who played -with him as a child plays with a toy. She lured him on, yet never did -she satisfy the longing of his soul! - -Every time that he extended his hand to tear the covering from her eyes, -with a word or gesture she changed the current of his thoughts. - -When he asked to be shown the road that would take him back whence he -had come, the woman would laugh--the laugh he had begun to hate,--and -cover his face with soft caresses which seemed to drain all his manhood -and leave him without will or power to think. - -Within his heart he made plans how he might escape. The sweet perfumes, -the melting voices, the endless well-being, the tropical fruit he was -ever feasting upon, wearied and sickened him; and yet he felt he could -not leave this bewitching sorceress before he had seen the colour of her -eyes. - -But somehow, although he wished it with a fevered longing, he also -dreaded the disappointment it might bring. - -And there he lay in this enchanted garden eating his heart out with the -longing for freedom, and yet unable to break through the silken bonds -that held him as with chains of iron! - - - - -IX - - L'espoir meme a des portes closes; - Cette terre est pleine de choses - Dont nous ne voyons qu'un cote. - - V. HUGO. - - -Eric was wandering through the maze of gardens, grottos, and domed halls -that formed the dwelling of the sorceress. It was night--but a clear -night; almost as light as day because of the radiant moon that lay low -in the sky; she was oppressively near the earth, intruding her wise -rays, that had seen all too much, into every corner and hiding-place. -Eric hated her indiscretion; he had hoped to wrap himself in the mantle -of the dark so that he might steal away at last. - -He could stand no longer the suffocating oppression which had gradually -been coming over him. To-night he had slunk away from the luxurious -feast his fair jailer had been giving him. - -He had left her there, upon her throne of gold, amidst priceless -draperies, amongst the garlands of red poppies that had been entwined -round the tables at which richly clad, loud-voiced youths were -gathered--youths who drank and sang, and whose eyes had a strangely -tired look, always straining after some pleasure that seemed to pass -them by and leave them with empty outstretched hands. - -All had clamoured round that golden throne, pressing near to the queenly -figure who sat there in a scarlet robe, her eyes still bandaged beneath -the wreath of poppies which was pressed upon her shining tresses. - -Her penetrating laugh had sounded clearly above all the din, and she had -lifted her hands high in the air throwing the gorgeous-coloured -poppy-leaves over their bowed heads; and she had drunk out of a golden -goblet which she had held in turns to their thirsting lips. - -One of the youths was as young as Eric himself and of marvellous beauty, -with eyes like flashing jewels, but which held a look of such intense -suffering that Eric could not bear the sight. - -This boy had dragged himself on his knees to the steps of the throne, -uttering incoherent prayers, the hot tears running down his cheeks; then -he had hidden his face within the scarlet folds of her dress and had -cried as if his heart would break, whilst the wild woman in red had -laughed, laughed, mocking his sorrow with hard words, till all the -others had laughed with her. - -It was then that Eric had fled, with a mad desire to get out into the -cool night and flee as far as he could from all these revels of which -his simple soul could not grasp the meaning. - -Yet the wonderful woman had dropped some of the poison into his veins, -because, in spite of his great desire to escape, he felt a burning -regret in his heart at the thought that he was leaving without having -seen the woman's eyes. At the same time he almost dreaded to find the -face of his dreams behind that white cloth which had become uncanny to -him ... and yet?... why was this burning pain at his heart? Why had he -come here? Why had he not turned back when the old bell had so -persistently warned him? Suddenly he felt older, wiser, as if years had -elapsed since he left the sea-shore and lost his way within this -labyrinth so full of beauty and temptation. - -He thought he felt once more the soft touch of the woman's hands, that -he saw the glowing flower of her lips, the soft yielding figure, the -white arms, the rippling fair hair, the tiny feet, and he stood still -clasping his hands over his burning eyes. - -Why had he not torn the bandage from her brow, and pressed his lips upon -that tempting mouth, crushing it beneath his own? Indeed he had been a -fool! And no doubt it was thus she considered him, and was now deriding -his memory amongst those shameless guests who crowded around her tables; -those tables that were bending under the weight of the costly dishes, -and where the brilliant poppies were shedding their petals as they faded -and drooped amongst hundreds of lighted candles. - -Eric groaned in his distress; he longed to go back before that golden -throne and tell the beautiful woman that he hated her ... hated her!... - -But now he must escape--but why was the moon so bright? Why could he not -find his way to the snow-white hall, and from there, over the deep -water, past the mysterious well, out into the wide world once more? - -Why did his head ache and throb? Why did his throat feel dry with -ill-contained sobs? What had come to him? Never had he felt thus. - -All the sweet peace of his soul had been replaced by waves of unknown -sensations and desires; and beneath it all, that burning pain at his -heart, that unsatisfied yearning for something he could not grasp. - -The moon flooded everything in a hard, merciless light; he ran from -place to place seeking an issue, only to find everywhere blank walls to -stop him. He knew that he was losing his head, the blood beat in his -temples, his eyes could no more clearly see.... With a stifled cry of -distress he dropped down, and all became dark around him. - - - - -X - - For in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge - increaseth sorrow. - - ECCLESIASTES. - - -After a short time Eric's senses came back; he looked up and saw that he -was in a small, very dark chamber. How he got there he did not know, he -had never seen the place before. Then he rose to his feet with a start. -A curtain had been quietly drawn aside, and he could see now into an -inner chamber out of which a faint light shone. - -Forgetting all his fear and misery he ran forward, hoping to find an -outlet whence he could reach the old moaning bell, and thence escape to -liberty under God's great sky, free like a bird once more to wander -wherever he would. But the sight he saw riveted his feet to the ground: -upon a low narrow couch lay the woman he had learnt to hate. She was -stretched motionless, asleep on her back, her wonderful face only -faintly discernible--and oh! marvel, her eyes were no longer covered. - -All about her seemed wrapped in grey vapours; the soft draperies with -which her body was covered were also grey, like finely woven cobwebs. - -At each side of her couch, close to her head, stood large jars of -tarnished silver, filled with irises the colour of autumn clouds. - -At her feet, rigid and unblinking, as if cast out of steel or carved in -granite, his eyes gazing into space, was an eagle of unusual size; there -he sat in quiet majesty at the feet of this vision of beauty, like a -ghost of the mountains that had been turned to stone. A faint haze lay -over all, something mysterious and grave-like; nor was it to be -discovered whence the light came. There were no windows, no opening -anywhere, and yet everything was distinctly visible. - -The face of the woman was more perfect than it had ever been. Eric was -now bending over it with a feeling of awe and wonder. - -Was ever sleeper so still, was ever living face so pale, lips so -blanched? Gradually a cold sensation of fear began to creep over the -startled youth; he bent lower, his face close to that silent one. He -sprang back with a cry of horror ... beneath the long lashes he saw that -the woman was looking at him, and yet.... - -Oh! What was it? What horrible nightmare was this?... She was looking, -she was staring ... yes, she was staring with sightless eyes--eyes out -of which the light of life had gone for ever! for ever!... - -Eric sank to his knees and hid his face against the still form, and as -he did so he felt something wet upon his cheek, something that was -trickling slowly down upon the floor where he knelt, something that was -gradually spreading in a dark patch, which widened over the grey folds -of the robe. And then Eric saw that within the woman's heart a dagger -had been thrust.... A dagger within the very centre of her heart. - - - - -XI - - Over thy creations of beauty there is a mist of tears. - - TAGORE. - - -High and austere in their forsaken silence stood the walls of the great -church--God's own sun looked in through the crumbling windows, and God's -own sky was its only roof. Many of the columns had fallen, but others -stood, erect and rigid, frowning down from their immense height, grey -and lonely, like giant trees in winter. - -Large heaps of stones lay about the mosaic floor that still showed signs -of a beautiful design; statues had fallen from their pedestals and lay -in helpless attitudes, their arms broken, their vacant eyes gazing with -stony indifference into the sunshine. Sometimes their heads were -missing, having rolled away as they fell. - -Nature was rapidly doing her work; she was spreading her consoling -mantle of verdure and flowers over this crumbling work of art, which -human hands had once, long ago, built with pious vows and prayers. - -Growths were bursting out of every crevice and crack in rambling -confusion. Even the wild plants of the heath beyond had begun to creep -into the church, giving the forgotten monument a festive look as if -flowers had been strewn everywhere on the floor for some blessed -feast-day. In greater masses than any other plant, wild lavender had -taken possession of the church, bursting the mosaic floor asunder in a -thousand places and pushing its way everywhere, so that over all lay a -bluey-grey shimmer like evening mists rising out of a bog. - -Through the wide-open portals the desolate land could be seen, -stretching as far as the eye could reach, covered with the same dusty -blue flower, and quite on the horizon it mixed with the sky, so that it -was difficult to discern where the one began and the other ended. - -A peculiar stillness lay over everything; it was not easy to imagine -that human feet had once crowded towards the now broken altar that shone -like a death-cloth as the rays of the sun struck upon the still white -stone. The thick carpet of lavender sent out a faint perfume of other -days, within which a whole treasure of memories was stowed away ... -forgotten. Peace, peace, peace was over all, the peace of things that -are past. - -Before the altar, stretched out all his length on the ground amongst the -blue of the lavender, lay Eric, his face pressed against the floor, his -golden curls matted, his neat clothes soiled and dusty. He lay there, -all his young body expressing one long cry of protest against the cruel -things he had just learnt. - -He had fled and fled, blind instinct guiding his steps, quite ignorant -as to how he had found his way out. And then, when he once more saw the -great sky over his head, he had rushed unseeingly forward, climbing the -rocks, leaving the sea far behind. - -On, on, in breathless haste to get away from that silent figure wrapped -in grey folds, with the sightless eyes and the dagger within her -heart ... neither did he know how he had reached this desolate place. - -He had seen this ruined fane standing grey and forsaken on a waste of -blue-grey flowers; he had seen it outlined in magnificent solitude -against the clear sky, and a great wish had come over him to take refuge -there, in that holy place, after the atmosphere of tragedy and -temptation he had just left behind. - -What mattered that the place was a ruin, that holy chants and fervent -prayers were no more heard within the skeleton walls! It had been God's -house, and the weary wanderer needed sanctuary. - -Motionless as one asleep or dead he lay. - -There was no sound around him except the buzzing of bees amongst the -sweet-smelling lavender. - -They flitted hither and thither, fetching out of each blossom its -treasure of honey and sweetness, whilst tiny blue butterflies danced in -their midst in frivolous useless gaiety. All of a sudden a flight of -doves came floating out of the summer sky and settled like white sunlit -clouds on every window-sill, where they fluttered their wings, filling -the whole place with flashes of light, as the sun gleamed on their snowy -feathers. - -But still Eric lay without movement, his face among the crushed flowers. - -The doves cooed and kissed each other; the bees swarmed around, and from -somewhere very far overhead a bird sang a glad song, his voice rising -shrill and pure into the warm air. - -The sun began to slant his rays through the beautiful high windows, -lighting up one of the sides of the building with sheets of gold. - -He sent his warm beams to kiss the young man's curls, and to caress the -white hands that were clasped before him; then one of the rays fell upon -a picture that still kept its place above the altar. - -At that very moment Eric, for the first time, raised his head--and -there, smiling down upon him in angelic pity, was a face of such perfect -sweetness, that he felt the hot tears come rushing to his tired eyes. - -With folded hands he knelt in a posture of adoration, and gazed into -the wonderful countenance that looked into his. A long cloak of some -indescribable shade flowed down, enfolding the Virgin's ethereal limbs. -Her hands were outstretched in a gesture of blessing; upon her head she -wore a high golden crown, and the sun beat upon it making it shine like -real metal; and her eyes, her wonderful eyes, were full of tears.... But -in her heart.... Oh! did he rightly see? or was he dreaming the same -awful dream over again?... in her heart, too, a dagger had been thrust! -Must all hearts be killed? What was this old world teaching him? Was -sorrow everywhere? Were those that blessed treated alike with those who -poisoned heart and soul? - -How ignorant he had been, singing like a bird in the sunshine, -understanding nothing, feeling nothing but his own joy to be alive! - -Now all seemed changed; pain and temptation, hard words and sweet -smiles, had replaced each other in bewildering confusion, and into the -heart of this miraculous Mother of God, this most pure of all women they -had also thrust a cruel blade--and yet she continued to smile, her fair -hands extended to his helpless gropings to understand! - -His eyes riveted to the Holy Face, he approached the devastated altar -around which the sun-rays had concentrated all their brightness, till -the picture of the Virgin was no longer a painting, but a living woman, -all light and radiance, Divine pity and love. - -The weary wanderer sank on his knees, his hands folded, his head bent on -the altar, and as he knelt there murmuring old forgotten prayers of his -childhood, real warm tears streamed from the eyes of the holy picture -and fell drop by drop on his sunny locks. - -And it was like a gentle blessing which held within it a sweet promise -of peace and comfort. - - - - -XII - - -The lavender-covered waste and the gaunt ruins of the church had been -left far behind, and our traveller was now ascending the rocky pass of -the great rugged mountains that rose high and forbidding above his head. -He had felt a longing to climb somewhere very high, with a wish to be as -near the blue sky as possible. - -Something of the peace that the holy picture had filtered into his heart -still remained. Within his clear look there was a dreamy wonder as if he -still saw pure visions before him, the warm tears of the Mother of God -having consecrated him to a deeper understanding. But there remained a -shadow upon his soul from his dark experiences within the dwelling of -the sorceress. - -He was no more the gay, flitting, singing bird he had been. He strode -forward with a more manly tread; something of the boyish eagerness had -gone out of his step, some of the sweet confidence had gone from his -eyes when they rested on those he met on his way. - -When he played on his flute he marvelled at the new tones it had taken; -they seemed deeper, sadder, and his voice vibrated less with the joy of -living. - -Yet the world was still wonderful and full of promise; these rocky -mountains had shapes and colours that made his heart rejoice. - -In this he was still the same Eric Gundian whom King Wanda had loved: he -was without fear, and not even the sight of these treeless giants of -stone daunted his wanderer's spirit. - -Each night when he slept, no matter where he rested his head, the vision -he was following always appeared to him clear, vivid, unchanged--those -great solemn eyes that looked into his without ever a droop of the lids. -He felt he must cross these enormous heights before he could reach what -he was seeking; that as yet his road had been too easy, and that it -would be needed of him to make some great effort before he was worthy of -attaining his goal. - -He looked back in thoughts upon the way he had come, and there seemed to -him a great difference between the Eric of yesterday and to-day. - -Dense clouds were enfolding the peaks of the mountains and creeping like -soft monsters along the sides, filling the deep precipices with damp -moving masses which were all coming towards him ready to swallow him up. - -Steeper and steeper became the road, the air rarer, whilst the clouds -lay thick and impenetrable over all. - -Eric toiled on; only seldom could he look down upon what lay beneath -because of the vapours that were wrapping themselves around him. - -He knew not where he was going, but he stolidly continued his way in -spite of the hard rocks and stones that wounded his feet, in spite of -the path becoming always more irksome and dangerous. - -Often he had but a narrow ledge to walk on, with a chasm on one side, a -high wall of rock on the other; and as the clouds lay over everything he -was in constant peril of life. - -There were moments when a straying sun-ray would break through the -clouds, casting a sudden light upon them, transforming them into -mother-of-pearl; and sometimes the shaft of light ran straight along the -white mist as if a finger of a god were pointing downwards to the -dwellings of men. - -Then out of the wall of mist a shadow rose and stood before him. It was -faintly outlined against the whiteness that was about him, and the -shadow was that of a man. And as he looked, full of surprise, another -was at his side, and then a third, and these three shades pointed down -the road he had been ascending. - -Eric turned, and there, behind him, was a whole procession of diaphanous -figures all following his footsteps. - -They seemed transparent, yet all of them had personality; their faces -although blurred and indistinct were full of different expressions. - -Some were old and bent, others strong, stalwart, upright. Several of the -female figures were young and fair; there were even small children -amongst them, and all appeared waiting for him to lead the way. - -He moved on, passing the three forms he had first seen, and with a -shudder he realized that when he tried to touch them his fingers met -nothing but space--his hand passed right through! - -And each time he turned his head there they were, all of them, pressing -close on his heels, silent, persistent. Truly it was a gruesome company -to be wandering with in this wilderness of rocks and clouds. - -Eric wondered how long it would last, and if they meant to go with him -all the way. - -Who were they? And what did they want of him? - -Although many of them were beautiful, Eric thought them horrible and -uncanny, and kept wondering in what way he could relieve himself of -their presence; indeed he had not reckoned with such companions on his -road. - -Should he turn back? But if he did he would have to pass them all, and -he remembered with a shudder how his hand had gone right through those -bodiless shapes when he had tried to touch them, so it was better to go -forward instead of retracing his footsteps. - -Eric came now to a turn of the path where a great rock jutted out, -barring his way in such a fashion that to pass it he would have to put -one foot before the other on a ledge so narrow that the sight alone made -him feel giddy and faint. - -Beneath him gaped the great sea of clouds covering unknown depths he -could not penetrate; but forwards he must go! Was he not like a hunted -animal with this procession of ghosts so remorselessly tracking him? - -He bravely set his face to the dangerous pass, and very carefully, his -hands clutching at the rough surface of the rock, he managed to turn the -dreaded corner; as he did so, there, right in the middle of his path, -blocking his way, was a very old man. - -He sat with head bent, his long grey beard dragging on the ground; -within his clasped hands he grasped a thick stick against which he was -leaning. - -He looked sad and weary, and yet he was full of quiet dignity; a -surprising figure to meet in a lonely place. His grey clothing hung -loosely over his emaciated body, his wide mantle fell in thin folds -about him; on his head he wore a broad-brimmed, weather-beaten hat. - -At the young man's exclamation of surprise he raised his head and looked -keenly at him, but spoke not a word. Yet this old man was not a spectre -like the others, but in verity a living human creature, and for that -reason welcome to our lonely wanderer. - -"Speak to me," cried Eric. "I am half mad with the longing to hear a -human voice. Tell me, if thou canst, who are these silent ones that dog -my steps, and make these mountains horrible to me? Fain would I be rid -of them!" - -He turned to look behind him and there they were, close upon his -footsteps, huddled together on the narrow shelf he had just passed; and -all of them looked at him with hungry, expectant eyes; and yet through -their bodies the rocks could be distinctly seen. It was a grim sight! -The old man did not reply, but turned his head towards the silent -apparitions and scrutinized them long and earnestly, then a slow smile -broke over his face. - -At last he spoke: - -"Be not hard upon those that are dead, my son; these here find no peace -because they did not receive a holy burial, nor were prayers said over -their silent hearts; they felt thy coming, so they have arisen from -where they lay in waiting, to follow thee. Let thy heart be soft unto -them. Their presence around thee speaks in thy favour, for they try to -follow only those whose conscience is without stain, for those alone can -help them whose lives have been pure." - -"Who are they?" asked the young man, and the old one answered: - -"They are the restless souls of those who died here amongst the -mountains. They all had hopes in their hearts when they started, and -dreams or ambitions; each thought himself strong enough to scale these -cruel heights, but they dropped down on the way; few, very few, ever -reach the top. They lose courage or weary and try to turn back; but it -is difficult to go back for those who have started on these paths that -lead so high." - -"Tell me, O wise man," cried the youth, "what mountains are these, and -why did I feel that I must try to ascend them?" - -"They are called the mountains of Life, my son. For some they bear also -the name of the mountains of Temptation; for others they mean Toil; for -others Trouble; for some they are named Redemption, and for the fewest -they are called the mountains of Attainment." - -"For me what shall they be called, my father?" - -"That remains to be seen, my boy," responded the solemn voice. - -"Tarry awhile beside me and I shall tell thee a few things that may be -of use to thee. Thy fair face pleases me, and I wish thee well. But I am -old, and my voice has no more the force as of a river in spring-time -when the snows have melted; it is more like a sluggish stream over which -a thick sheet of ice has been laid. But sit thee down close by me that I -need not raise it overmuch." - -So saying he drew his cloak away, making room for Eric on the rock where -he was resting. The waiting shapes had become fainter, and were like -torn pieces of mist that had caught upon the rocks. - -"But before all else, I pray thee, tell me," said Eric, "why thou sayest -these shadows have awaited my coming; and why thou dost not thyself lead -them to peace? Thou who art so wise?" - -The venerable face turned to the young one with a sad smile, and the old -solemn voice answered in a low tone, "To be wise is not the same as to -be good. Long ago, in the days of my youth, and later also in the years -of my manhood, I was a great sinner, and many a dark unavowed act have I -committed. But wise I always was, and even magic have I understood. - -"There comes a time, my son, when the heart longs for peace; the white -peace of solitude. Amongst men it could never be found, so I came up -here; but that was only after my head had bent beneath the snow of age, -after I had tasted all fruits both bitter and sweet; and this I tell -thee: few are worth the eating. Yet thou shalt also eat of many; but -have a care, I pray thee, and grasp not those that were best left -untouched; and yet? and yet? - -"When I look back I know it all had some meaning behind it--something -that was but a link of one long chain, and the chain is so long that the -links are but of small importance, although each link deems itself the -one which holds all the chain together; and it is better it should be -so, because the long chain needs each separate link. My talk is dark to -thee," added the old man, laying his hand on Eric's. - -"Forgive an old man whose thoughts ramble along; seest thou, up here in -this wild solitude amongst the clouds and eagles, one learns to look -down upon things and to realize their value; but it is useless to begin -such knowledge too soon, for we, the weary ones, need all thy joy, all -thy careless happiness, we need thy efforts, thy hopes, thy dreams, thy -tears; none are wasted; they all go to make one great whole! Life is -long and yet it is short, and many roads there are, but they all, -without exception, lead to the same end. I am very near that end now; -some reach it sooner than I. I know not what thou seekest, but all men -are running after the same thing, though they call it by different -names, not knowing that they can grasp but its shadow, because the thing -itself is God's. - -"I have given it a name. I call it Happiness; but truly this I can tell -thee: men know not when they have it ... they see it before them, and -then they turn round and they see it far behind ... but whilst it is -theirs they are blind. Dark are my words to thee, but I love thee the -more, because I read within thy eyes that all I am saying is without -sense to thee, dear beginner of Life." - -"But thou hast not told me," queried Eric, "why these phantoms hope to -find salvation through me, and why with thy great wisdom thou canst do -less for them than I with my foolish youth?" - -Sadly the old man replied: - -"Because, my son, youth and innocence have a strength that all the -wisdom from over the seven seas cannot equal. Indeed, we who have lived -and now look back, are far more willing to stretch out our hands in -help; our hearts are larger, our patience greater, our understanding -deeper; but it has thus been decreed that all this cannot be weighed -against one little drop of thy pure innocence or of the faith thou hast, -that removeth mountains." - -The old head bowed itself over the clasped hands, and on the long grey -locks lay a mist that was silvery and lustreless, as if some one had -breathed over a mirror. - -The sad, tired eyes gazed with a far-off look into space, following -forgotten visions of long ago. - -There was a deep silence which the young man did not try to break. He -bowed in awe before this gaunt old figure, and longed to hear more, to -drink in the wise words that fell from his lips. - -Although many were quite incomprehensible to him, his instinct told him -that he could learn much wisdom if he listened with all his soul. -Strange it was that such a man should call himself a sinner when such a -delightful peace filled Eric's whole being as he sat there close beside -him. - -The old man turned his head and looked into the young man's eyes. - -"Fair thou art in thy glorious untouched youth. I did not hope to look -again on so good a sight. I wish I could give thee some of my wisdom to -keep thee from harm, but a loving, pure heart is also a shield, perhaps -even better than any I could give thee; and yet when old age lifts its -eyes to look upon youth, and sees it beautiful, a prayer comes to its -lips that it may remain thus unsoiled for ever! - -"Thou must go forth without fear; and have patience, dear youth, with -those quiet followers of thine. If thou art strong enough thou mayest -lead them to peace; for this I must tell thee: thy way will be hard and -long till thou reachest the end which is thy desire; but by the love of -my snowy hair I entreat thee climb to the highest summit, let not thy -soul be satisfied till thou hast scaled the last, steepest peak. - -"There may be easier roads, but take them not; others may tempt thee -from thy giddy path, but listen not to their talk. I shall put all my -faith in thee, and I will not that thou disappoint me. Before I die, I -want to know that one has reached the greatest height." - -"But tell me," cried the youth, "will I find at the end that for which I -am seeking, which I am wandering after all the world over?" - -"That I cannot answer thee now, my son," replied his companion. "Come -with me to my dwelling; I shall gaze into my magic stone and perchance I -shall be able to tell thee. Give me thy hand, for I am weary; we have -not far to go, and it will be sweet to me to lean upon thy youth." - -With great care and solicitude Eric helped the feeble old hermit to his -feet, and following the gentle pressure of his hand, he let himself be -directed to the mouth of a dark cave, hewn out of the rock, close to -where they had been sitting. - -"What a lonely place to live in!" cried the young man. "In truth it is -like an eagle's nest hung on the very edge of the precipice!" - -"It is a good dwelling for me, who only want to look backwards and not -forwards," said the old man. - -"Here I live in peace away from the clamouring of the crowd; I live -with the thought of what has been, and what was evil drops away from -what was good. - -"I remember far more clearly the sun that shone than the days that were -dark. I see faces I loved, and those I hated have no more power over me. -Even strange it seems that once I could hate; yet well do I remember how -I loved; for this also shalt thou learn: that Love is the beginning and -end of all things. - -"Love is the key that opens every door. Love is the answer to all -questions. Love is the very centre of the heart of the universe. Love is -the voice of God, the punishment and the recompense He gives to His -people. - -"Love carries the heart to the verge of the unknown. In Love all is -contained: joy and pain, hope and despair, the night and the day; what -was, what is, and what shall be ... but again my tongue wanders away -with me, soon thou shalt weary of my talk. - -"Look about thee and tell me if my dwelling is to thy liking." - -The cave in which they stood was dark; but when Eric's eyes had got -accustomed to the dimness he saw that indeed it was but a poor abode. - -His host lit a small ancient oil lamp which spread a feeble light -around. He placed it upon a table hewn out of the root of a tree, and -sat heavily down on a stool near by, resting his head in his hand, his -still keen eyes following the young man's movements as he looked about -him. - -The cave was not large, and the sides were of bare stone. A cavity had -been cut out at the farther end where a few rough skins were spread, and -that was the bed, indeed more like a grave than a resting-place. - -In one of the corners there was a rude hearth with a few old pots; -opposite was a shelf bending beneath the weight of many old volumes -bound in shabby leather; a tiny aperture gave a very faint light -somewhere near the roof, otherwise the door was the only opening; it was -shut by a thick woollen curtain hung on a string. - -Against one of the walls stood a large wooden chest covered with an old -shawl, once of fine bright texture, now so mellowed by age that its -curious design was hardly discernible; a few low stools and a big heavy -table completed the whole furnishing of this primitive dwelling. - -"Well," asked the hermit, "what sayest thou to my sumptuous apartment?" - -Smiling down upon his host Eric rejoined: - -"Somewhat gloomy it seems to me--and too near the edge of the precipice -on dark nights. In very truth the thought makes me shudder, that if one -had not a care one could step from the door over the brink!" - -The old man laughed softly, but with the sound of some one who for many -a year had no more been accustomed to mirth. - -"Come and sit thee by me, for I still have much to tell thee. Take -yonder stool, bring it close to my side that I need not raise my tired -old voice." - -As Eric sat down he saw that two covered objects lay upon the table. The -hermit stretched out his trembling hand and drew the smaller of the two -towards him, raising the dark cloth that covered it. - -As he did so, a round ball, cut out of a stone the colour of smouldering -ashes, became visible; it was resting on a small three-legged stand -carved in old ivory. - -"I shall now look into this magic ball to see thy future, dear wanderer. -Give me thy hand whilst I concentrate my mind upon the polished surface; -thou must think with all thy might of that which is thy greatest desire, -and thou must not speak or the charm will be broken." - -Eric laid his hand confidently within the dry wrinkled palm, and -remained silent, as he had been bid, his face near to that of the old -man, his fair locks resting against the silvery ones. - -With breathless intensity he watched the magic ball, and saw with wonder -how it began to glow as if a fire were burning inside. - -The curious light became always more intense till the ball was one -burning flame upon which he could hardly keep his eyes. - -He felt an unwonted drowsiness come over him, but with all his might he -kept his mind fixed upon the eyes of his dream, and then out of the -silence came the voice of his companion, inexplicably changed and -musical, like far-off bells. - -"I see a great picture on a wall--in the middle of which there sits a -woman on a throne, the woman has no face.... I see eager questioning all -around thee, but there are tears in thy eyes.... I see a long road on -which thou art wandering mostly in the brilliant sunshine, but sometimes -it is the moon that lights thy way. Thy tears have dried, but thou -knowest not where thou goest and thou singest like a bird. Many other -faces cross thy road and mostly they smile on thee.... - -"But somewhere there is a shadow that falls over thy path and thou art -afraid--something there is that thou dost not understand and that -contains sore temptations for thee ... then.... Yes, if I rightly -see ... there is blood, it drips slowly to the ground, but thy own hands -are without stain, yet thou art full of fear and fleest as quickly as -thou canst. - -"Then again there is sunshine, and round thee all is blue, the sky as -well as the ground--then once more there are tears, warm and wet, but -this time they are not thine.... And now thou wanderest where the air is -rarer and thy breath comes in gasps--thou mountest ever higher and -higher ... there comes a moment's rest and again thou art wandering, -and always thy road is steeper and thy step more weary.... All around -thee there are shapes that make thee afraid. - -"And now I hear the voice of a child crying, crying ... again a shadow -falls over thee ... this time like to the shadow of death." - -The chanting voice paused and the grey head bent closer down upon the -fiery ball; the pressure upon the young man's hand became an iron grip. -Drops of perspiration stood upon the wrinkled brow as if an enormous -effort were being made. Then the voice spoke again: - -"What I now see is a long road through a country of sunshine and -riches--it is evening, sweet music rises in the air, a haze of dust lies -over the horizon; then all I see, at the end, is a face of wonderful -sweetness, yet sad and full of yearning--and I see two eyes ... strange -and wonderful, and somehow thy heart is at peace.... That is all." - -The voice had ceased; the grip upon the young man's hand had relaxed, a -heavy silence lay over them. - -The glow in the magic ball died down till only the smouldering colour -remained. Then Eric spoke like one in a dream: - -"Thou sawest the eyes! deep, grey, unblinking, sad, and yearning? So I -shall reach them in the end! Canst thou not tell me whose they are?" - -The old man's head had fallen on his breast as if overcome by fatigue; -now he raised it very slowly and looked long and lovingly at the young -eager face. - -"Nay! that I cannot tell thee, but this I know: Happiness cometh not -there where we seek it; it cometh like a breath out of the unknown, and -then the heart is glad and a great light is spread over all that our -eyes rest upon. Then we are full of strength and courage, and each man -is our friend. - -"But the thing we clasp to our heart is never ours to keep, for thus it -is in this world. Joy and pain lie so close side by side that there -seems no line to cross between the two--and yet when crossed.... Well, -my son, I shall show thee what no other eye but mine own has ever looked -upon; it is all that remains to me of what was on the other side of the -line...." - -The trembling hand removed the cover from the second object that lay on -the table, and there, revealed to Eric's astonished gaze, was a face the -like of which he had never seen before. - -It lay, the head thrown back, the eyes closed, the lips slightly parted -as if asking for a last caress. - -The hair waved away from the delicate, somewhat sunken temples, forming -the pillow on which it rested. - -A calm expression of peace lay over the angelically pure features that -had the soft whiteness of ivory. - -There was no colour save a faint tint of pink on the beseeching mouth. -Yes, it was peace that was the principal expression of that face, and -yet there was also a sad yearning in it, as if the closed eyes longed to -raise their lids a last time to look upon a face they loved.... - -The old man's head now lay on the hard table upon his outstretched arms; -he was overwhelmed by some tremendous emotion, unable to look at those -silent features. - -The youth knew not what force moved him, but he knelt down beside the -emaciated old figure and, taking it into his strong young arms, he drew -the bowed head towards him, and held it long against his heart in a -silent embrace. - -After a while both looked up and the grey hermit pressed one of his -shaking hands on the young man's head; the other he laid with a -caressing movement against the marble face. - -"I have worked at this with the last strength of my feeble old hands. -And each day for many years I laboured to create the fairness of this -face which I loved, but which never was mine! - -"I will not weary thee with the story of my life; it is dark and ugly, -but this thou shalt know: I loved her, and she gave me all the passion -of her pure heart. She knew not who I was, and when she found it out she -could not bear the truth, so she searched a cold grave in the deep, dark -floods. Thus she lay when last I looked upon her; the vision burnt -itself deep into my brain for ever. For long, long years after she had -crossed my path I continued to live a wicked life, full of dark deeds, -full of treachery, keeping faith with none. - -"But when, old and bent, I came to these solitudes her face alone was -always with me. Then I began to carve upon the snowy marble the features -I had loved the most in this world. - -"Day by day I toiled, for my fingers were stiff and trembling, but I -felt I could not die before I had completed this work of love. I felt -that if I could conjure into life the marvel of her face as it was that -day when they took her out of the cruel water and laid her, for ever -silent, before me, her murderer, I would find forgiveness before that -God I had always mocked but had learnt to believe in here in this vast -solitude so near His sky! - -"It is but a short while ago that I completed my work; thou seest -thyself how surpassing fair it is, and since that day peace at last -seems to be spreading very slowly over my soul...." - -The old man paused, then drawing the youth quite near to him, he took -his head in both his hands, bent it gently back, saying in a solemn -voice: - -"Remember the words of a very old man, who has known all of pain and -joy, who also has lived through the hell of remorse though it came too -late ... too late.... Mayest thou never learn how sad is the word: Too -late! Go thy way, my son. Search for the treasure thou dreamest of, and -when it is thine hold it fast. It may come to thee in quite unexpected -form--at first even thou mayest not realize that thou art so near; it -may not come in splendid raiment with a crown on its head, but keep thy -heart open as well as thy eyes; turn not away from the humblest call, -never leave undone a deed of love. - -"I, in my solitude, well know what it is to bitterly regret. All the -wisdom I have acquired is but ashes to me because never did I understand -how to use my riches,--I cherished what was of brass, and what was pure -gold, in my vanity, I trampled underfoot. Thou hast within thee -something that makes me believe thou art of those who win! Now I have -said enough, and thou must continue thy road; but that thou shouldst not -forget the grey hermit of the hills, I have for thee a gift, which, in -the days of my youth, was my most trusted friend. In thy hands it will -have greater power than ever it had in mine." - -So saying the old man rose, went to the bed, and drew something out of -the dark. When he came back he held within his hand a shining sword. - -"This sword have I loved in the pride of my youth, and even now, in my -bitter old age, it was ever at my side. Whilst I worked at the cold, -hard marble, it lay on the table near my hand; it alone felt my hot -tears of gratitude on the day I had completed my work. - -"A legend is attached to it: it is said that if carried by hands that -are clean of all sin it has unknown powers that reveal themselves in -time of need. It may be true ..." the old man bowed his head.... "But my -hands ... were never clean ... so no miracle shone on my road. - -"To me it was simply a good strong sword which I used in my own defence. -I used it, too, against my country's foes, and many an evening has it -dripped with blood. Gird it round thy waist and go forth with my -blessing. I know not if the blessing of a man such as I hath worth in -the eyes of God; nevertheless it comes from the deepest depths of my -weary soul, and may it follow thee wherever thou goest and help thee to -win." - -Eric bent his knee, and the hermit laid both his hands on his golden -locks, lingering tenderly over them as if loath to take his fingers -away. - -"One more gift have I for thee, my son, for I know the peril and -loneliness of thy road. Here inside this box"--and he drew a small -casket from his breast--"thou shalt find some tablets I once learnt to -make, and which possess marvellous power to keep the traveller alive -when he can find no food on his way; one of these alone is as much as a -feast at the table of a king. Neither is this their only magic; for he -who tastes of them to him is given command over all languages spoken -under the sun." - -"But am I not taking thy daily bread from thee?" cried the young man, as -he sprang to his feet. - -"Be without fear, dear youth; my days are numbered, and enough remains -to me to keep my tired old body alive, as long as God still desires me -to be of this earth. Go in peace, and have a kindly thought for the old -sinner whose last joy has been to look into thy sunny eyes!" - -He led Eric to the door of the cave, and pulling the curtain aside, gave -a strange, shrill whistle. - -As he did so there was a fluttering of wings, and somewhere out of the -clouds a milk-white falcon swooped down to his hand. - -"This bird of mine will show thee the road. Follow him without -faltering, even if he seem to lead thee where no foot can climb. Be of -good cheer, may God be with thee!" - -Eric bowed his head, kissed the kind old hand, and then turned his face -towards the lonely path he had to follow, the hawk flying before him -like a white banner floating in the wind. - -The old man stood on his threshold casting longing looks after the -retreating form. An expression of intense sadness and resignation came -over his furrowed countenance; slowly, with all the fatigue of nearly a -century's living heavy upon him, he went back into his dark abode. There -he stood for a long while beside the rustic table contemplating the pale -marble face, and all his soul was in his eyes. The flickering light -played on the exquisite visage, throwing over it a living warmth, so -that the eyelids appeared to quiver as if they were trying to open once -more. - -Slowly and painfully the aged recluse bent down till his faded lips -rested on the pure brow, the icy coldness of the stone penetrating -through all his veins--then with a reluctant movement he laid the dark -cloth over that vision of beauty, hiding it out of sight; and it was -like the lid of a coffin being shut over the face of the dead. - - - - -XIII - - And a strange song I have heard - By a shadowy stream, - And the singing of a snow-white bird - On the Hills of Dream. - - FIONA MACLEOD. - - -The white wings of the bird could be seen far overhead. Eric looked up -and understood that at whatever cost he must scale those heights towards -which it flew. Such had been the decree of the kind old philosopher. - -Firm was his resolution to obey him in everything, because never before -had human being spoken thus unto him. - -Only one fact his mind refused to grasp: how could such a man be a -sinner? He thought of the gentle, venerable face, of his wise and -beautiful sayings; and dear to his memory was the sound of his voice. -His feelings towards the silent ghosts, that still followed him, were -quite changed, for the words of the master were ever in his mind. - -He felt now a kindly interest in their welfare, and hoped that strength -would be given him to lead them to peace. The clouds lay no longer so -dense over his road. He could advance with greater rapidity. - -Always steeper grew the way, and always higher flew the bird; often its -white plumes were lost amongst the floating mist. - -Eric was full of courage and hope; whilst he walked he kept thinking of -all he had heard. Tears came to his eyes at the remembrance of the -silvery head lying so close to the cold hard marble which made no -response, the face in its immaculate fairness so serenely unconscious of -all the feeling its beauty called forth. - -Within the stern silence of that pale stone lay a punishment far greater -than human justice could inflict. - -Night was coming on, but Eric still advanced with undaunted step, -ignoring the fatigue that was again making itself felt through all his -supple limbs. - -The sword at his side gave him a companionable feeling; his eyes rested -upon it with pride, admiring the beautiful hilt that was carved out of a -single piece of crystal in the form of a cross. In the centre had been -set a large emerald the colour of a deep forest pool, transparent and -dark, evoking a feeling of rest amongst glorious solitudes where the -foot of man but seldom passes. - -The blade was as bright as silver, and flashed like a searchlight when -Eric drew it from its sheath. He did so more than once, feeling its -edge, with the joy of a child over a new toy. - -Never had he possessed so manly an arm, and his pleasure knew no bounds. - -Always darker grew the night, more perilous the path. Our valiant -wanderer was now obliged to feel the way with his hands, and began to -think about where he could lay himself down to rest. It was useless to -press onward without seeing where he was going--useless to risk making a -false step that might perhaps cost him his life by hurling him into the -chasm that yawned at his side. - -His only fear was to lose sight of his feathered companion; it would be -almost impossible to find it again in this desert of rocks. He stood -still to think what he had better do, when out of the darkness, quite -close before him, he saw the flash of white wings. - -He sprang forward in pursuit, regardless of the danger that gaped -around him; and after a moment he found himself on a broad ledge under -the protection of a jutting rock. There, just discernible, in the dense -obscurity sat the white falcon, motionless, at rest, giving the sign -that here they should make a halt. - -The great bird turned its head towards the youth, and as it did so -something resembling a tiny light gleamed on its breast. - -Eric approached it cautiously for fear of frightening it away, but the -beautiful creature showed no signs of alarm, and let him lay his hand on -its head. - -Then Eric saw that around the strange bird's neck a tiny chain was -clasped, from which hung a diamond of prodigious size; it radiated a -strong bluish light much like that of a shimmering star. Here in this -vast wilderness of unknown perils the little light shone brightly like -unto a kindly eye that had been placed there to watch over him during -the night. - -With a sensation of comfort Eric laid himself down close to the quiet -guardian, wrapping himself up warmly in the folds of his cloak, for the -night was cold. - -Indeed the rocks made but a hard and unfriendly bed, but Eric was young, -and weary was his body, so it was not long before sleep came down and -carried him off into the land of dreams. - -Upon the rock near his head sat the motionless, wakeful bird of prey, -staring with unblinking eyes into the dark. The whiteness of its -feathers was faintly visible, and the blue diamond burned steadily like -the lamp of a lighthouse seen from far over the sea. - -Now there was a faint movement about the sleeping boy and that silent -watcher of the Hills. - -[Illustration: _A circle of mist seemed to be settling around them._] - -A circle of mist seemed to be settling around them, like a giant wreath -of grey poppies; but it was not the vapours of the night that were -forming a ring round the man and the bird--it was the bodiless army of -following ghosts; and there they sat a quiet company, forms out of -another world, awaiting in mournful silence that this frail human being -should arise to lead them over perilous ways to the height that would be -their salvation. - - - - -XIV - - Far off I hear the strain - Of infinite sweet pain, - That floats along lonely phantom land. - - FIONA MACLEOD. - - -Eric had not slept many hours before he awoke with a start. All was -pitch-black around him, only the form of the white hawk was outlined -against the darkness, whilst the precious stone on its neck shone in -lonely magnificence. - -Eric sat up wondering what had torn him so suddenly out of his restful -slumbers; he felt rather stiff from the hardness of his stony couch, so -sprang to his feet and stood erect, listening, awaiting any danger that -might threaten him out of the unknown. And then, suddenly, a wailing cry -broke out of the stillness; it rose like a frightened sob into the air -and rang through the night with a sound so full of terrible loneliness -that it made the heart stand still. - -The bird stretched its neck, its wings expanded ready to take flight, -the light of the diamond twinkling on its breast. - -Eric waited, trembling with expectancy; there was something weird and -heartrending about that helpless cry out of this boundless solitude; -again the dismal sound was heard, distinct and piercing like the -terrified voice of a very small child in an agony of fear. - -Eric could bear it no longer, and sprang in the direction whence the -sound came. - -At that moment his beautiful winged companion rose in the air, circling -close around the path he was on, so that the jewel flashed in moving -patterns like a small lantern being swung over his head. - -Eric followed the tiny light, grateful for that dwarf spot of -brightness, which shone in the thick darkness that hemmed him in on all -sides. Many a time he stumbled over the stones that obstructed his road, -often bruising his hands and knees, sometimes falling all his length, -but always desperately aware how perilous and uncertain was this search -in the impenetrable night. - -Now the wonderful bird paused in its flight, and Eric saw the small -light, suspended in the air, hovering over one particular spot: he -groped about, his hands feeling everywhere--what was he to find? All at -once, close above his head the pitiful voice was again heard, but this -time quite near. With breathless anxiety Eric scaled the rock, quite -unable to see where he was going; but his hands were always -outstretched, carefully seeking about him, and now his fingers suddenly -came in contact with something soft and warm! - -With gentle precautions the young man drew the heavy object towards him, -balancing himself with surprising agility upon the narrow ledge ... and -there, in his arms, against his cheek he felt the soft face of a little -child!... Yes, a little child, whose pitiful moan rose to the sky like a -soul in distress. Clasping the small body close to his breast, the young -man with an almost superhuman effort hoisted himself on to a shelf-like -rock he had felt near by, and there he sat himself down with his -precious bundle in his arms. - -As he did so the falcon swooped out of the air on to his shoulder, so -that the light of the gem could just fall upon the pale small face that -looked up into his. - -Such a sweet little face, out of which two frightened eyes stared up at -him in speechless anxiety. Miserable rags alone covered the thin body -that was shivering with cold. - -Eric drew his cloak close around the trembling form and held it tight -against him, whilst with kindly words he tried to calm its ceaseless -whimper. - -Long he sat thus in this vast black solitude, whilst upon his shoulder -the friendly bird kept watch over the two forlorn young creatures who -had been so strangely brought together in these lonely hills. - -Eric's eyes closed, and the child too, feeling comforted, was quiet now, -its head hidden against the kind heart that had been its saviour. - -Probably both slept, because when Eric next looked up there was a faint -red streak in the sky; the darkness of the night was slowly lifting. - -The little girl was huddled up close in his arms slumbering sweetly. - -Near by on a block of granite the beautiful hawk sat like a watchful -guardian--his keen ever-open eyes fixed in an unblinking stare upon the -rising sun. - - - - -XV - - -Several days later Eric could have been seen advancing over the frozen -ground holding a small child's hand safely clasped in his own. He had -wandered and wandered, climbing always higher, never giving way, no -matter how overpowering his fatigue. For ever ringing in his ears was -the sound of the solitary man's voice begging that he should not -disappoint him by turning back, urging him to have courage to go always -forward till he had climbed the highest peak!--not to be afraid, because -he believed Eric to be of those who win. Ah! but would he win? Would he -ever reach the top of those lonely heights? would he ever look down upon -the other side? At first the thought of having a companion on his -arduous way was a comfort to him. The child's face was sweet, its eyes -looked up into his with a trust and confidence that gladdened his -spirit. - -But soon he understood how much more slowly he could advance; how he had -to redouble his efforts at every step; how much more often he had to -rest because of the toddling feet at his side, and often, very often the -child's head pressed against his cheek; he carried it for many weary -miles, till his powers were nearly spent. - -From whence the child came, whose it was, how it had been lost here -amongst these drear solitudes Eric could not get it to relate. - -When he pressed it with questions it would only cry helplessly, and -point always before it, as if longing to reach the most giddy heights. - -The only words it seemed to know were the strange little cry of: "Up, -up," or "Over there, over there," and persistently with its tiny hand it -pointed to the most distant horizons; and then a feverish shine of -expectancy would light its eyes and a flush come over its wan little -cheeks. - -He loved the lonely wee maid, but a frightful apprehension was pressing -at his heart--would he be strong enough to save them both? - -The magic tablets out of the old man's box were diminishing day by day. -He wondered how far he still must go before he had scaled the last rock. - -The child was frail and delicate: its feet were bare, the wretched dress -it wore hung in discoloured rags round its thin body. Dark curls -clustered round a face of angelic beauty, pale and haggard though it -was, out of which the eyes looked like those of a frightened gazelle. - -With touching gratitude the little creature clung to this man who had -saved it in its dire distress, and often Eric would feel the pressure of -its warm lips against his hand as they trudged on side by side. - -Their weary feet were now carrying them across the precipitous incline -of a great mountain, the most mighty of all the range, the one whose -summit bore the highest peak, the one Eric had singled out as the -ultimate object of his steep ascent. Their way lay across wide-spreading -mountain meadows, now covered with a white sheet of snow and frost; far -ahead lay a dark forest of pine which they would have to traverse before -reaching the final ridges beyond. - -Always close upon his heels followed the silent army of ghosts, and the -higher their leader climbed the more hopeful was the look of their -eyes; it almost seemed that their bodies were becoming less transparent, -that each separate form was losing something of its mist-like frailty. - -The little maiden was not afraid of them, and often, when weariness had -obliged her and her companion to rest, she would stretch out both small -arms in their direction, inviting them to share her repose. And then it -would happen that out of that sad troop of followers other arms--perhaps -the empty arms of what had once been a mother--would answer with the -same yearning gesture of love, and yet all the distance of two worlds -lay between them, and the bridge had not yet been built over which they -could meet! - -The little one loved to hear Eric play on his flute; so even when most -overpowered with fatigue, his breath coming in gasps, he would take it -from his pocket and try to call from it its sweetest notes. But often he -would have to lay it down, his lips were too dry, his hand shaking -overmuch. - -The continual strain upon his youthful body was telling at last, and -often he had to cover his eyes with his hands, because a sudden -dizziness would overtake him. - -He was in such fear that the mysterious tablets in the small box would -come to an end that he ate of them but sparingly, giving his companion -the larger share. - -Eric had been accustomed to live in plenty; had he not been the -favourite of a king? And now a precious life had been given unexpectedly -into his hands--the bright singing bird, the gay flitting butterfly had -to learn to live for another! His face had lost its roundness, the smile -was still bright and sunny, but his eyes wore an anxious look that -seemed for ever searching the distance. A new feeling of softness had -stolen into his heart; those two slender arms, that tiny confiding hand -within his own, those pattering feet beside him, awoke within his soul -sensations of which he had never even dreamed. He felt that gladly -would he suffer any pain, gladly lay down his life, if this sweet being -that trusted in him could but remain unharmed. - -Once on a steep pass she had fallen, bruising her delicate feet and -cutting her face. He had held her then in his arms as a mother would -have done, and an indescribable feeling of tenderness had flooded his -heart, whilst her warm tears had wetted his cheek as he pressed her -close to him. The sensation of that soft little body clasped against his -own during the cold nights they had slept side by side, his cloak -covering them both, was to him like treading on Holy ground! And now -with growing apprehension he saw the great forest opening its sombre -paths before him. - -The falcon flew leading the way, its white plumage showing like some -gigantic flower against the dark branches. - -What secret terrors were hidden within that green solitude? How would -they find their way out? Indeed helpless did he feel; how could he -protect this frail child against the cold that was always becoming more -biting, searching its way under their skin trying to freeze their blood! - -Onwards! onwards! it was no good standing still; but the effort was -greater with every step. - -Now the green forest had received them within its thickness; immense -trees looked down upon them waving their branches, whispering together, -astonished at the sight of two such defenceless travellers venturing -themselves within their dreaded obscurity. - -The snow lay thick on the ground, always deeper the higher they climbed, -and there came a moment when the little girl, clinging to her kind -companion, cried bitterly, declaring that she could go no farther. - -In despair Eric looked around him--on all sides the awful solitude shut -him in; rows on rows of giants frowned down upon his sorry plight, the -wind rustled through their branches that looked like monstrous arms -gesticulating in angry discussions over the heads of these two forlorn -human beings. To Eric they suddenly appeared like enemies come together -from all parts of the world to plan his destruction. - -Each tree was a living creature threatening him, trying to stop him, to -turn him back! He clenched his teeth: he would not go back! He would not -give up! He would not allow fear to fill his soul! Was he not to be of -those who win? Had not the hermit believed in his courage? and his -silent followers had they not put all their trust in his strength? - -There they stood, fantastic forms hovering on the verge of Eternity, -faintly discernible against the trunks of the trees, their haunted eyes -turned towards him, their transparent bodies all bending his way in -hushed expectation. - -The wind came down in howling gusts, stirring up the withered needles -that lay on the snow, bending the proud trees before its ruthless -violence, dashing powdery clouds over the trembling child; then rushing -in shrieking hordes through the sombre pines so that their boughs -clashed together like an angry mob. Night was coming on; all around Eric -could see nothing but trees, trees--an army of Titans allied against him -to hinder him reaching his goal. To add to the horror of his pitiful -situation, he thought he heard from afar the howling of wolves, and that -he saw creeping forms slinking amongst the thickening shadows. - -Calling upon all his courage, he bent down and gathered the exhausted -child into his arms, wrapping the folds of his cloak tightly round her -shuddering limbs; and thus weighted he struggled on, his breath coming -in gasps, his pulses beating, a mist before his eyes. - -He toiled through the snow, up, up, winding his way between the trunks -of the hostile trees--often stumbling--hitting his weary feet against -broken twigs--straining with a feeling that his veins would burst, so -great was his exertion. - -But he would not give way! He would not lay down his precious burden -before he could find some cover for the night! To rest there upon that -bed of snow would be certain death; his weariness was such, he knew if -once he fell it would be to rise no more--he would hide his head in that -icy shroud dragging down the precious life with his, to never, never -move again. - -On--on ... but was the child of lead? Why had his arms become so weak? -Why were dark vapours floating before his eyes?... Why had he a beating -heart in each tingling nerve of his aching body? Why did his tongue -cleave to the roof of his mouth, whilst fire seemed to course down his -throat? And now a great darkness suddenly wiped all things from his -sight, and he fell with the impression that he was being suddenly hurled -into the night.... - -But it was not long that he lay thus--instinct was stronger than all; -besides, the warm arms of the frightened child seemed to drag him back -to life, infusing new vitality into his spent frame; so he struggled to -his knees, the little girl still clinging to his neck. - -He looked around him, desperation in his eyes; they had reached an -opening in the wood--a circular glade surrounded by gaunt trees, and -nowhere a path to be seen, and nowhere the smallest sign how he could -get out of this drear forest, that shut him in like forbidding walls. - -He pressed the maiden's face close to his, taking comfort from the soft -cheek that was laid against his. - -And the child stood beside the kneeling man, and gently with timid hands -stroked his tumbled locks, all the time peering at him with anxious -attention. - -Eric was still too weak to rise to his feet, so he remained kneeling, -scanning the solitudes with hopeless bewilderment. The wind still howled -through the tree-tops, from which dismal voices seemed to be chanting -ever the same dreary ditty, and sometimes it rose to such a din that it -was more like unto the wild songs of savage hordes carrying their dead -to the grave. - -The falcon was nowhere to be seen; even that companion had flown away, -so that they were alone--quite alone--in this fantastic, oppressive -wilderness. - -A last shine of daylight still rested over all, and with horror -clutching at his heart Gundian now perceived that running in lines all -over the snow that lay before him were small footprints resembling those -of a dog! Ah! but no dogs could inhabit so forsaken a forest; the kindly -friend of man would not lose his way amongst these impenetrable -thickets; those marks in the snow had quite another explanation, -confirming the fear he had had before;--but something must be done: -action would revive him,--he could not remain thus to perish miserably -without trying at least to save the treasured child. - -With a superhuman effort he rose to his feet,--for a moment his young -body swayed like a sapling in the wind; but he would not--would not give -way! What was to be done? He had heard that great fires frightened off -beasts of prey--a small flame even was supposed to keep them at bay; and -he remembered the legend of a maiden wandering alone in a forest with -only a small lamp in her hand protecting her from harm,--surely he would -not be weaker than she. Bending down to his companion he told her to -help him to gather dry twigs in the underwood; he blew upon her frozen -fingers which were stiff and icy like his own. - -From his pocket he took the precious box, and together they shared one -of the remaining tablets which revived them in an extraordinary way; a -smile even came back to the face of the wee innocent at his side. - -Now with feverish haste they were gathering fallen branches from under -the hostile trees, that angrily bent their mighty heads towards them, -but were unable to reach down to anything so far beneath. - -The bundle grew and grew, and in their absorbing work they for a moment -forgot the terrors around; once even the small girl's voice rang out in -a merry laugh, as she dragged a heavy log behind her, almost as large as -herself. Soon Eric was crouching beside the stack they had collected and -trying with his icy fingers to make the sparks fly from his flint;--many -a time did he hit the hard stone in vain, but at last a welcome sound -was heard--a soft crackling that became louder, till at last a bright -flame shot out over the dry timber they had so patiently heaped up. Both -frozen wayfarers stretched out their numbed hands to the saving warmth. -As they did so they smiled at each other from either side of the burning -faggots; the cheering glow lit up their pinched and tired faces, giving -them again the radiant look of health. - -"Come to me, little one," cried the man, and the small creature flew -into his arms; then settling himself down, his back against a tree, -quite near the blazing fire, he folded the forlorn little being tightly -within his arms, his cloak drawn close over her, regardless of his own -comfort, only thinking how to protect her against the deadly frost of -the night. - -He took his sword from its sheath and laid it down beside him within -reach of his hand. - -Long he sat thus, trying to penetrate the darkness, whilst the rhythmic -breathing of his tired charge told him that for a while oblivion had -mercifully descended upon her. - -But it was a weary time before he dared close his own burning eyes, so -afraid was he that something dreadful might happen to the child whilst -he slept. - -At length Nature would have her way--his head sank on his breast, the -strained arms relaxed their hold, and all the misery was wiped from his -mind by the kindly wings of sleep. - - - - -XVI - - -Eric awoke because the intensity of the cold was eating into his bones. -The fire had died down, only a faint glow remained under the ashes; and -there, oh horror!... seated on the other side of the small smouldering -heap that once had been their protection, sat a great tawny wolf with -eyes that looked straight into his, two tiny specks of phosphorescent -green. - -The awful beast lifted its head and gave a long-drawn, unearthly yell -that echoed round the silence like the crying of a tormented soul in -great agony; again and again he sent out his ghastly call, and now he -was answered by other calls coming from every part of that fearful -forest. The silent thickets gave forth from their secret depths stealthy -pattering forms, slinking along, flashing their teeth, their tongues -lolling from their dripping mouths. - -A late moon had risen above the peak of the mountain, and was now -throwing her pale rays over the bleached opening that spread before the -young man's feet, so that he could clearly see how these wraiths -assembled from all sides, called together by the baying of their leader. - -So fascinated was Gundian by what he saw that for a while the immense -danger he ran was almost forgotten; only the frightened cry of the -child, who had awakened to see the awful creature staring at her with -glistening eyes, brought him back to the reality of things. - -His exhausted condition, the heavy drowsiness produced by the cold that -was gradually penetrating through all his veins, had thrown a torpor -over his senses, so that all appeared as in a dream. - -He returned the green stare of his opponent, unable to make an effort to -throw off the weakness that imprisoned his frozen limbs. - -The crumbling fire was dying out more and more; the last glowing twigs -fell together with a faint fizzing sound, that made the leading monster -rise in fear and move back a few steps, still kept in awe by the narrow -frontier of heat that alone separated him from his victims. - -For one more deadly moment there was a pulsing silence and then ... the -beast sprang with a great leap on the seated man. - -In a moment Eric was on his feet, sword in hand, throwing himself before -the terrified child, that at all costs he meant to protect! And with a -furious blow, although he had been quite unprepared for so sudden an -attack, he split the skull of his raging enemy. - -Eric had never used arms before; war had not been his vocation; he loved -peace and pleasure and all things that make life beautiful and sweet. - -But now he stood up like a tried warrior, his blade flashing under the -rays of the moon; alone he advanced against the ferocious beasts that -all rushed in upon him with sudden rage to avenge their fallen chief. - -He knew not from whence he took his strength; but he stood before them -like a figure cast in bronze, defending himself, keeping them at bay -with the point of his precious sword. But for each savage animal that -fell beneath his frantic defence another seemed to spring up in its -place--always more and more, till their baying filled the silent night -with hideous clamour. - -Hell seemed to have opened its doors. All round Eric and the child, who -was crouching in an agony of fear close behind him, were blazing eyes, -sharpened fangs, ravenous bleeding jaws, a medley of dark fighting -bodies falling over each other with angry yells, as they one and all -rallied against the single youthful hero, who stood facing them, the -blood streaming from the blade of his sword. - -Blood fell also in great dark drops from his lacerated hands, where more -than one murderous tooth had left its mark. His pale brow was streaked -with red; from off his shoulder his coat had been partially wrenched, -and a great gash gaped through the torn tissue. - -Still he stood his ground; many a rugged body lay dead at his feet, but -always more roaring foes seemed to descend upon him, a whole army of -hungry, voracious fiends that had sworn his destruction. - -His force was giving out, he clearly felt that the unequal battle could -last no longer; only a miracle could now save them both. - -His arm became inert; the blood flowed from the open wound in his head -in a trickling stream down into his eyes, clouding his sight, so that he -could no longer direct his strokes. - -Yes, all was over now; he was not to be of those who win.... This was to -be the end ... the end.... But what was this? From beneath his clenched -fingers a dazzling glare had suddenly broken forth--a glare so intense -and blinding that for a moment he could see nothing but its luminous -rays! Had really a miracle come to pass? Was he dreaming? But no ... his -awful assailants were rapidly retreating with furious groans, as if -unable to bear the sight of the thing he held in his hand! - -What was it that suddenly cowed their savage force? Then all at once he -understood.... The crystal hilt of his sword was blazing with light! - -He fell on his knees, his forehead pressed against the shining cross, -his eyes closed, his head bent in awful fatigue. But peace had come over -him--a great and wonderful peace. The beasts of prey were backing, -always farther, from this awesome light that had so miraculously fallen -upon them. - -With hanging heads they retreated, their piercing eyes fixed upon the -fiery symbol they dared not face. They backed and backed, till they were -but a mass of darkness, out of which their eyes glowed like a circle of -Easter tapers held by pious hands in adoration before that cross of -flame. Alone in the middle of that moonlit glade knelt Eric, quite -still, as in a trance; the point of his sword had reddened the snow on -the ground; the hilt seemed fashioned out of the stars of heaven. - -The moon looked down upon his golden locks, transforming them into a -mass of silver; even his torn and travel-stained clothes were turned -into glowing metal like a knight of olden days. - -From the shadow of the giant trees the little girl came slowly forward, -and on reaching the spot where Eric prayed with lowered brow, she, too, -fell on her knees and advancing her innocent lips kissed the blade of -the sword. - - - - -XVII - - -Now also the forest had been left behind. Upon the snowy covering of the -silent glade many a gaunt body lay still and cold, nor will we ask in -what manner their hungry companions visited them when the flashing cross -was to be seen no more. - -Eric was now fighting his way to reach the highest peak that shone far -above the clouds. Never would he be able to relate how he had found his -way out of that forest where at first all had seemed united against him -to hinder his progress. - -The morning after that night of battle which had so gloriously ended, -Eric had walked as in a dream, the cross-shaped hilt held against his -breast like some crusader in a distant land. Alongside of him trotted -the little girl clinging to a corner of his cloak. He knew not why, but -everything around him had lost the hostility of the night before; his -feet moved easily over the frozen snow without sinking beneath the -surface. - -The giant trees were a wonder of brilliant white; during the early hours -of morn a vapoury mist had fallen over the sleeping immensity, and the -coming day had transformed all around into a fairy wood of dazzling -gems. - -Each separate branch stood out in crystallized splendour, each needle, -each hanging cone had become a transparent jewel, radiating all the -colours of the rainbow. - -The tiniest plant that had pushed its way through the snow, the driest, -humblest twig, the most common stone, all had been conjured into a -miraculous treasure of light which the most cunning human art could -never have fashioned. It was a joy beyond words to the eye, a splendour -God's nature alone could produce. - -All was now peace and stillness; through the mighty rows of glittering -tree-tops the sun shot slanting rays that lit up the snow like a field -of golden flowers; and beyond, distant glimpses of the sky were visible, -pink like roses of the East gathered together by some enamoured king to -be strewn under the feet of his beloved. - -The sombre pines had other faces beneath their fairy coating of frost, -and seemed now to greet him like some honoured guest, bending their -crowns in sign of homage. - -On he walked without any feeling of fatigue, never once stumbling on his -way. - -The falcon was again flying before him like a white kerchief waved in -token of greeting; ... the higher they climbed the rarer became the -trees and the wider did the blushing sky spread before their eyes. - -Now they were out in the open once more, climbing from rock to rock; and -when Eric turned round to look down upon the forest that lay far -beneath, like a magician's garden of gigantic frosted flowers, he -perceived that the ghostly army of lost souls was once more following -close in his rear. Where had they been during that night of terror? Had -they lain in waiting till he had fought himself through that dangerous -trial? Had they trembled and feared that he was to be overthrown and -their forlorn hope destroyed? - -There was a great and frowning height still before him which he had to -scale; but on this early morn so charged with brightness, his heart was -full of faith, and again there was a song on his lips; but now it was -one that had a deeper meaning. So with a shout of anticipation he lifted -his hand and waved it to the silent followers; then, pointing to the -rocky peak that appeared above the snow and clouds like a sunlit dream, -he rushed forward with unfaltering step, as if he had only just started -upon his ascent. The little girl was always near him; she, too, was full -of the joy of the morning.... - -But night came on, and still they were toiling. The shining peak had -veiled itself with a cloud of darkness; the bitter cold of the mountain -tops was laming their steps, so fresh and buoyant at the break of day. - -Now the man had to bend down and lift the weary little soul once more in -his arms. - -Their friendship had turned into tender love, and as he held her in his -safe embrace she covered his tired face with kisses sweet and soft like -the touch of a butterfly's wing. One more awful night they spent lying -fast locked in each other's arms, vainly trying to shut out the biting -frost, as only protection Eric's thin black cloak. - -They had mercifully discovered a cavity in one of the rocks, and there -on a bed of grey moss they had slumbered fitfully, almost too exhausted -to find any deep repose. And when morning came it looked down upon two -haggard mortals sitting side by side, crushed one against the other, in -dire distress. Their faces were pinched and livid; their teeth chattered -with cold; their eyes, surrounded by deep circles of fatigue, searched -about them in questioning misery. Within their numbed fingers they held -an empty box!... But Eric's spirit was still undaunted. He meant to win! -That night his dream had risen again before his eyes, more vivid and -fascinating than ever. - -Lately his advance had been so tedious, the efforts needed to overcome -the difficulties so great, that all his faculties had been concentrated -upon the single desire to save his own life and that of the child; so -that the vision of the outset had been losing some of its power. - -He staggered to his feet; the child hung a dead weight round his neck, -she was quite unable to make further effort. What should he do? He could -not leave her to perish here, this dear companion of the mountain tops! - -Yet thus encumbered, how could he reach the final height? His strength -was spent, his feet were bleeding, his clothes were torn, the wounds of -the night before were a throbbing agony beneath the clinging arms of the -little girl. - -He felt that they were breaking open anew, that his warm blood was -slowly trickling down on to the snow, and with each drop that fell his -life seemed to be oozing slowly away. And there far above, like the -tantalizing vision out of an ethereal world, rose the peak of his -desire. - -Again the rays of the sun reddened its crown like a glowing flower. Was -it mocking him in his mortal distress? Was it luring him on to life or -to death? But he must mount, always farther; he could not give up now -within sight of his goal! Courage! Courage! He must conquer and win! But -what were those white arms beckoning to him out of the morning mist? -What were those veils of transparent vapour waving to him from the rock -above? Were they apparitions out of some fantastic dream, some -hallucination of his tired brain? - -Anyhow he would desperately follow them, perhaps they would help him in -his distress; but the higher he climbed the farther did the beckoning -figures always recede; each time he had thought to reach the height -where they stood he saw them far away hovering above him on some steep -boulder, which again he scaled only to be baffled anew. - -It was an awful pursuit, the heavy child clinging around his neck, his -open wounds dripping, leaving red traces wherever he passed. - -His shoes had been cut almost to shreds by the rugged rocks, so that his -feet suffered an agony of pain. - -A blind rage seized him against these spirits of the wilds who mocked -his cruel plight; and yet, had he but known it, it was just their -alluring aloofness that was helping him upon his final climb. His -overwhelming longing to reach those ethereal beings with whom he hoped -to find rest gave him the energy to clamber always farther, the -intensity of his desire infusing almost superhuman force into his -attenuated body. - -Suddenly he stopped with a gasp, almost letting the child fall from his -arms;--other visions were now before him floating amongst the clouds. - -The indistinct apparitions had taken form, changing into white-winged -angels all flying upwards, their long trailing garments mingling with -the mist. - -Ah! these would lead him to his last height! These celestial beings had -been sent from heaven to help him in his bitterest need. - -Looking down at the child in his arms, he saw that her face was deadly -pale, her eyes were shut, the long lashes cast deep shadows on her -sunken cheeks. - -Indeed it was time to reach some shelter where he could lay her down. - -Then raising his head a cry escaped his lips ... there close before him -he espied the great peak which had always appeared so absolutely beyond -his reach. - -There it stood, enormous and majestic, an overpowering revelation rising -out of the filmy clouds--clouds that were one mass of white-robed -angels, their wings bearing them upwards, their arms extended in -gestures of welcome towards this pilgrim of the heights! - -Eric ran forward, all his remaining energy gathered together in one last -supreme effort. The blood sang in his ears, his breath came in tormented -gasps, his heart beat like a giant hammer, and wherever he passed the -hard stones bore marks of his dripping wounds. - -With one arm he pressed his heavy burden against him, with the other he -hoisted himself higher and higher, clambering with dogged persistence, -ignoring both pain and danger, always onwards, his enraptured eyes fixed -in an ecstasy of hope on the heavenly host that was showing him the -way ... and now ... and now ... he was lying face downwards on the hard -snow-covered rock, his arms outstretched over the motionless body of the -little girl. - -He had reached the top, he had not failed!... he had really won! - -Long he lay in completest exhaustion unable to move, almost unable to -think, or even to feel. Around him the mists rose and fell like a -restless foam-covered sea! - -Slowly he lifted his head, and what first met his gaze was the face of -the child. - -With a startled exclamation he took it in both his hands; but it rested -there limp and inert with tightly shut eyes. Convulsed with fear he bent -towards it, pressing his lips upon the silent mouth, covering the waxen -face with eager caresses, chafing the frozen hands, the tiny bare feet, -calling to it words of love and endearment, begging it to look up and -speak. - -But all in vain; no responsive smile came to the blanched lips, and when -he let her slip from his arms the wee body fell back, a poor little -heap, upon the ground. - -Then Eric covered his face with his hands and sobbed as if his heart -would break. - -Thus did he remain completely overcome, in frightful distress. Oh, -why--oh, why had he been unable to save her treasured life? Why, why was -he alive while she was dead? Why had all his efforts been in vain? Why -had he reached his goal only to be crushed by this bitter grief? O God! -O God! What was the use of such a thing? - -But what was that? Over his head the sound of wings.... He let his hands -fall from his tear-stained face, and looking up into the blue, blue sky -above, overcome with wonder he discerned two shining angels who held -within their arms the form of the poor little maid.... - -They mounted always farther into space, and as they did so he saw the -humble companion of his wanderings all bright and transfigured, like -unto the angels themselves. - -Before they disappeared into that vast splendour of blue, she bent -toward him a face full of love and gratitude, bearing an expression of -heavenly peace which descended upon his soul, revealing unto him that -henceforward he need grieve for her no more. - - - - -XVIII - - But the joy that is one with sorrow - Treads an immortal way. - - FIONA MACLEOD. - - -Eric remained for a long while, his face turned to the sky, his eyes -fixed upon the spot where the bright vision had melted into the -infinite. - -Indeed it had been a consoling sight to see the lowly little waif -changed into a shining light, her tattered rags turned into a robe as -immaculate as those of the ethereal beings who had borne her away into -the sky. - -God had been merciful; it was better thus; all her fatigue and weariness -were at an end, all the scars and wounds had been wiped from her -starving body, and when she had looked down upon him it had been with a -light of ineffable happiness within her eyes. - -But now Eric felt how completely exhausted he was; so throwing himself -upon the naked rock, he lay face downwards like one who is dead. - -It was many hours before he had strength to raise his head; and when he -did so, the glare of noon beat down upon him with life-giving force. - -He rose to his feet looking about him, then stood in rapture before what -he saw. - -The peak upon which he had climbed was far above everything else, -overlooking the entire universe; a frowning solitary mass. On three -sides of him were mountains and steep, precipitous passes, dark and -forbidding, a whole world of mystery and desolation, where human foot -would not dare to penetrate; sombre secrets seemed hidden in every -crevice. - -Over all brooded an implacable silence; light and shade played on the -face of the mountains in startling contrast, almost white in places, in -others deep indigo; and far away on the horizon the vast immensities -dwindled into a mist of blue, like smoke rising out of some giant's -caldron. - -But at his feet lay what might have been a vision of the promised land, -a wondrous revelation of light and beauty--as far as the eye could -reach, a blooming plain all shimmering in the radiant sun, out of which -a glorious expectation seemed to rise and remain suspended, awaiting -some great moment of fulfilment. A heavy ripeness saturated with the -glow of harvest was spread over the earth; long roads like silver -ribbons wound through this vast richness, and they were like -never-ending illusions, leading always farther into a blessed region of -dreams. - -Broad rivers shone like molten metal as they slowly flowed between -fruitful banks, in places bordered by thick forests that stood out in -delicate masses against all that treasure of sunshine. A happy country -indeed, if only it did not melt away when the foot reached its border. - -Something near by now attracted his attention. Beneath where he stood -there was a flitting to and fro, a movement in the air, something -impalpable and that yet called him back to his more immediate -surroundings. - -Not very far below he perceived a small dark lake like an enormous eye, -sombre and watchful, encased between granite boulders. Around this deep -bottomless pool stood all his ghostly followers, watching with absorbed -interest the water at their feet. - -There was something mysterious and unusual about that green-black -surface. - -It was dead still; and then, quite unexpectedly, anxious convulsions -would shake its depth, and out of its quiet face bubbles would suddenly -rise, spreading over the whole till the entire water was covered with -enormous dewdrops, and each single drop reflected within its circle the -blue of the sky. - -Then in places the transparent globes would detach themselves and rise -into the air like giant soap-bubbles, floating away into space till they -disappeared from sight; and all these bubbles were of such exquisite -beauty, and so varied in hue, that Eric imagined he saw colours within -them that his eye had never before looked upon. - -What was the meaning of it all? What were his silent pursuers doing -around that bewitched mountain lake? What were they awaiting? Why did a -feeling of silent expectancy rise to where he stood? - -Very carefully Eric climbed down towards that curious gathering. -Noiselessly he approached, afraid of frightening them away. - -As he did so, the shadowy figures one and all turned his way and fell -down on their faces in postures of sudden adoration; from over their -heads a whispering wind waved towards him, a wind that was full of sighs -and hushed voices, like a far-off crowd always crying the same thing. -Eric started back abashed, quite at a loss to know what he should do; -then to his utmost astonishment he saw how the foremost spirit arose, -and, giving him a last look of gratitude, without the slightest warning -quietly walked into that uncanny water and disappeared beneath the -surface! Following his example all the others did the same! It was but a -flash! - -Eric threw himself with an exclamation towards the edge, but it was too -late! Every trace of them was gone, nothing remained but large circles -on the face of the water. Eric looked down into the darkness, and there -he saw something rising slowly to the top.... - -It was the miraculous bubbles. One by one they appeared slowly like some -fairy procession; and when they reached the light of day they grew in -size, hovered a moment over the dark element, then rose light and joyful -into the sky, and as they mounted their colours changed in infinite -variety, transparent globes of exquisite beauty. - -[Illustration: _It was the miraculous bubbles._] - -Close over the water they were green and blue; in rising their hues -turned into violet and purple, that gently graduated through every tone -of gold and yellow till they were one blaze of flame that quite -imperceptibly faded away into the blue of the sky, where they hung -suspended, hardly discernible, till at last they were one with the -infinite; and that was so high, so high overhead, that it might have -been at the very gates of heaven! - -Then Eric understood.... These were the lost souls he had freed; all had -found rest at last; all had been able to detach themselves from this -weary world always higher into the sky. - -Had it really been given to him to be their salvation? Had they found -eternal peace and joy because he had not fallen on the way? Then indeed -no sacrifice had been too great, no trial, no fatigue too vast. And in -sign of gratitude they had displayed before his wondering eye the most -divine colours he had ever seen, filling his artist soul with the deep -joy of beauty for which he never could be thankful enough. - -He turned again to look at the pool, and as he did so there on the -opposite bank he saw an apparition which made his heart stand still. - -A very old man, tall and gaunt, wrapped in grey flowing folds, a thin -cloak suspended from his shoulders, a weather-beaten hat shading his -face, his long beard falling far down on his breast. - -In his hands he clasped a thick stick on which he leaned. With a cry of -joy Eric stretched out his hands towards that shadowy figure, for was it -not his old and venerated friend the hermit! - -The grey vision turned, and with hollow eyes looked at him long and -earnestly, with such a wonderful expression of loving affection that it -made tears gather in the boy's eyes. - -But his beloved old master was also transparent and ghostly like the -lost souls that had at last found peace. - -Was this his spirit that had left his earthly body? Would God in His -mercy grant the beautiful miracle that through his courage and -persistence he should also have brought rest and redemption to this -weary sinner whose precious words he could never forget? - -His whole soul yearned to hear the dear tired voice once more, to drink -anew from that source of wisdom which had so refreshed his spirit. Yet -he had the cruel apprehension that this joy could be his no more. - -"O Father, I want to hear thee speak," he cried, but no answer came from -the other side of the dark water. - -The old man only continued to stare. - -Then an awful despair gripped at Eric's heart, for he felt as if he had -lost his dearest treasure. - -Why was life so cruelly full of lights and shades? Why was the full cup -always dashed from the lips? - -"Father, father," he cried, "I do so long for the sound of thy voice; -speak, oh, speak, I beseech thee," but there was no response; only -silence deep and absolute, and a second later a faint echo of his own -words whispering round the granite boulders. - -Then something very wonderful was revealed to his sight; there beside -the old man stood a shining translucid woman, a woman whose face he -could but faintly discern. - -Her head was bent back and her two uplifted arms shone like rays of -light, pointing to the sky. - -Her long robe flowed down, a trailing mist, into the quiet water, where -it hung like a cloud. And this filmy vapour wrapped itself round the -feet of the man, and as it slowly mounted towards his heart a marvellous -change came over the aged hermit; his astounded pupil saw how very -gradually all the years rolled from him, how his bent figure became -upright, and for a short moment the vision of a manly face full of -strength and beauty flashed before his eyes, and then ... everything was -gone! A gust of wind swept the whole miracle into the dark lake, where a -cloud of smoke alone remained. - -The smoke hovered for a second, blue grey over the face of the deep; and -then out of the very centre shot a quivering flame, intense and -dazzling, that mounted slowly like a tongue of fire, always higher and -higher, till it was lost from sight! - - - - -XIX - - My eager hands press emptiness to my heart, and it bruises my breast. - - TAGORE. - - -Feeling weak and completely overcome by so many conflicting emotions, -Eric now began slowly to descend from the mighty height, with an intense -and overpowering desire for rest and food. - -He was entirely spent, knowing that he could not go much farther unless -he found help in his need. This side of the mountain was much less steep -than the other; it led down by soft green inclines to the happy land he -saw calling to him from below. - -Snow and winter, rocks and wilderness were now a thing of the past; this -was quite another world, smiling and at peace. - -With stumbling feet he dragged himself along. - -All zest of having won was wiped out and gone. He only felt an aching -longing for the little companion who had abandoned him in the hour of -attainment. - -Was this for ever the way of the weary earth? Were all victories so sad? -He had also an unceasing desire for the voice of his old friend the -hermit, knowing that he would have been able to explain what was but -dark mystery to his searching mind. - -He had the sensation of being completely forsaken and useless, a weary, -weary stranger who had no home in this world. As he was pondering, sadly -discouraged, both body and mind overwrought with fatigue, he saw the -wings of the falcon waving before him, beckoning to him like some -trusted friend; and this, at least, gave him a feeling of not being -entirely forgotten. - -So on he plodded, each limb stiff and painful, his unhealed wounds -throbbing like tormented hearts, the hand at his side empty and lonely, -missing the confiding touch of the childish fingers. - -Heavy with misery, his head sunk on his breast, he followed the bird -with faltering step, mechanically climbing always farther down, but a -poor ghost of his former self, looking neither to the right nor to the -left, for once quite irresponsive to all the beauty around him. He knew -not how he advanced, all had become blank and colourless. As the day -drew to an end he came to a wide mountain-meadow where a flock of sheep -was peacefully grazing. - -Before he could realize what was happening he was suddenly attacked on -all sides by savage shaggy dogs that barked furiously, showing their -teeth, jumping at him, and tearing at his ragged clothes. - -Eric was much too tired to oppose any resistance, and no doubt it would -have gone badly with him had not a shrill whistle unexpectedly made the -dogs stand still, all attention, their ears pointed, listening. - -A heavy stick was now flung in their midst scattering them on all sides, -so that they turned and ran yelping after the peaceful sheep, masking -their discomfiture by wildly scampering round the flock. - -Then a quite young boy came running towards where Eric stood in dejected -misery, his strength all spent, incapable of moving another step. - -The shepherd youth, seeing how sorry was the plight of this stranger, -went quickly up to him, and laying a strong arm round his waist asked if -he could be of any help. - -Eric was unable to answer; he felt the earth yielding beneath his feet; -so he simply laid his head on this sturdy peasant's shoulder and let -himself be led away, he knew not whither. - -It was long before he came back to the knowledge of his surroundings. He -must have lain in a deep swoon; but after a time he felt his head being -lifted with rough kindness, whilst a bowl of warm milk was held to his -parched lips. He drank in great gulps like one utterly famished; drank -and drank till not a drop was left. Through his tired brain shot the -thought, that hit him like an aching blow, if only his little companion -were there to share this life-giving draught; then he sank back with -closed eyes, still too weak to care where he was, indifferent if he was -to live or die, all his nature one crying need of repose. - -He slept many hours; indeed, so deep was his slumber that after a time -the shepherd came to where he lay, anxiously putting his hand upon the -sleeper's heart, afraid of finding it silent beneath his touch. - -But he felt its regular beating against the tips of his fingers; so he -left Eric where he had laid him within the humble hut and went out to -his flock, leaning upon his long stick, his chin resting on his hands, -looking over the mountains that were gradually fading into the shades of -night. Here it was already summer, the grass grew thick and green; the -cold and frost had been left up there upon the frowning heights; indeed -it was a smiling contrast. - -Eric slept all that night and through the following day; darkness was -again spreading over the world when at last he woke. - -He sat up, looking about him, trying with his numbed brain to grasp his -whereabouts. The door of the hut stood wide open and close before it a -big fire had been lit. - -Its crackling reminded Eric, with a pang, of the great blaze that had -saved him and the little maid from almost certain death. He saw again -the dear soft lips smiling at him from over the jumping flames, -remembered how sunken had been her eyes, and with a groan he turned his -face to the wall. - -But he could not keep still very long; a mighty hunger was gnawing at -his vitals, he was in absolute need of finding food; so he rose stiffly -from his couch, stretching his aching limbs as he went to the door to -look out. - -There in the flickering light of the fire sat the shepherd, a beautiful -boy with large brown eyes and dark hair hanging to his shoulders, a high -fur cap on his head with a flower behind his ear. - -He was dressed in a white shirt and trousers, with linen bands wound -round his legs; on his feet he wore sandal-like shoes kept in place by -leathern thongs. - -About his waist was a broad leather belt within which a flute and a -dagger had been stuck, and over his back hung a coat of shaggy -sheep-skin. Chin in hand the peasant sat staring with dreamy content -into the flames. In a circle around him lay his dogs, their heads -resting on their paws, their unkempt coats the colour of earth and -autumn-leaves. Only one enormous brute was white, which kept staring at -his master with watchful eyes, whilst the others slumbered and snored. -It was a peaceful sight; the stars coming out one by one, and not far -off the flock lay, huddled together in attitudes of repose. - -Eric had moved so noiselessly that even the dogs had not heard his -approach, but now as he ventured out of the hut they immediately were -all upon him snarling and gnashing their teeth. The shepherd jumped to -his feet and came quickly to where Eric stood with a joyful exclamation -of greeting; but his guest fixed him with hollow eyes not able to utter -a word. - -"I know what thou needest," cried the boy, and leading Eric back into -the hut he took from a chest two earthenware dishes, one of which was -filled with thick creamy cheese. - -"Eat," said the youth, "it will do thee good; but then I want thee to -talk, for lonely forsooth are these hills; I want to hear the sound of -thy voice. I live here in utmost solitude many months of the year: I -guard my sheep and make this cheese. I play to the stars and sing to the -sun, but they are too far above and care not to talk to me: I want to -hear of thy wanderings and why thou lookest so sad. Tell me, I pray, -didst thou verily come from the other side?" - -Eric seized the bowl with a hasty gesture, and greedily consumed the -tasty food, feeling as he ate how new strength began gradually to course -through his veins. Never had he been so hungry, and this simple fare was -in truth the very best dish he had ever eaten in his life! - -Gratefully he looked at the young peasant, and at last he spoke: - -"I cannot thank thee enough for thy spontaneous hospitality at a moment -when without thy help I would surely have died of exhaustion. Thou wast -sent me from God, as a sign that in His mercy He desireth me to continue -my road. I have come from far, so far that to me it seems as if I had -been wandering all my life." - -He turned his trustful eyes to the youth, and with the smile which made -him dear to every man's heart, he continued: - -"Once, it may be years ago, for I have no more count of time, I lived in -the palace of a king." - -"Oh!" cried the boy, "why didst thou go?" - -"Because," answered Eric, "I am seeking for a face which I cannot -find--a face that I see in my dreams; so I had to leave all that rich -ease and comfort, all that had sweetened my days, and always am I -searching and still may have to wander many a mile." - -The shepherd stared at him in growing astonishment, almost afraid that -his strange guest might be crazy. - -"It seems to me," he said, "that there are many faces on this earth; and -why must thou journey so far looking for what is so easy to find? Why -didst thou leave the king's palace? Forsooth, I would have remained and -lived in joy and plenty;" and merrily he laughed, showing two rows of -splendid white teeth. - -Eric did not smile but replied: - -"Ah! thou dost not understand. Dearly did I love my kingly master; and I -grieve that I could not listen to his bidding. But there is something -within each of us that when the time comes calls with insistent voice, -and then we must leave all and follow. I am but a foolish youth, but -this I have learnt: we cannot choose our lives nor in what way we desire -to live them; some power there is stronger than our human will that -carries us forward upon a road we do not know. I had but a short while -ago a venerable master, and these were his words: 'That each man runs -after the same thing, although each calls it by a different name.' The -master I loved said the name he had found for it was Happiness, but that -none of us realize when we have it in our hands. Why he said this I do -not know. Dearly did I love to hear him talk, but not always did I grasp -the meaning of his words." - -"Happiness!" queried the peasant boy; "happiness! It soundeth sweet to -the ear; dost thou think that thou shalt find it at the end of the way?" - -Eric looked out into the flames of the fire before he slowly replied: - -"The master said that we could grasp but the shadow, that the thing -itself was God's. Deeply have I pondered over the sense of this saying, -and this is what I have found in my mind: God hath not time for each -man's clamouring, so He has strewn over the world things that shine and -things that lie in the shadow; those that shine dazzle the eye and give -pleasure, and those in the dark awake a longing to know, and thus God -leads each man forward to search for himself, each according to his -desire. But the wise man said that few reach it in the end, and when -they do they seldom may keep it long. Ah! but I wish I knew! My heart is -so full of longing, and yet I feel that some part of it will never be -filled!" - -But the peasant boy wanted to hear of other things; to him this talk was -but a waste of time. - -"Tell me, hast thou really climbed over this barrier of mountains; and -how is it thou didst not perish on the way?" - -Gundian took his sword between both hands, and looked at it with tears -in his eyes: - -"This sword kept me from death when I thought my last hour had come, and -always, when all hope seemed at an end, something there was that saved -me in my bitterest need. - -"The old man of the hills believed in my power to win, and -then ..."--Eric's voice trembled as he spoke--"I had at my side a sweet -little soul that providentially had been given into my care; and a -curious thing have I learnt: we can do for others what we cannot do for -ourselves. Many a time would I have given in and died, had not the soft -hand of the child kept hold on my life by the desire I felt that it -should not perish!" - -And then, his hands folded over the hilt of his sword, dreamily gazing -afar off, Eric related, with many words, all he had seen and done. - -The eyes of the lonely rustic hung, with ever growing interest, upon the -face of his wonderful companion, and many a time did a loud exclamation -either of joy or fear break from his lips; and when Eric told of the -vision of angels, the boy started to his feet, hands joined in an -ecstasy of delight. - -"Thou didst see the heavenly hosts! Oh, tell me! Tell me! Were they -indeed so fair? were their wings all shining and bright? had they crowns -on their heads? And were their robes of snowy white? didst thou hear the -sound of their voices? did they come quite near to thee? Oh! speak, I -pray!" - -Eric smiled very sadly. - -"They brought peace to my soul at a moment when I thought my heart would -break"; and within his mind our wanderer saw the face of his little -friend smiling down upon him with lips that a breath of Heaven had -already kissed. - -"And now," asked the youth, "where art thou going? Or wilt thou remain -with me? I am very forsaken up here on this far-off meadow. But dost -know, it is said that no human foot can cross those mountains that thou -hast scaled; it is said that amongst those lonely heights there is -eternal snow and ice, and that it is always winter there when summer -smiles on us here." - -"Indeed it was cold; but what has crushed my joy is that it was not -given me to save the child that Fate confided to my care; and this thou -must know: that at the very instant I thought I had won, the Hand of God -took from me what would have made my victory sweet. Indeed I reached the -highest peak, and looked down upon the whole of the world beneath ... -but ... well, I cannot explain--because I am too unlearned. - -"I fear that I may not yet understand--I know not if thus it is with all -we touch; the master I loved would have told me for sure if there is a -hidden explanation I cannot grasp. - -"He said that all our tears and hopes were needed for the making of a -single whole--maybe my despair, at that moment which was loss and -victory all in one, belongs also to some link of the chain. Alas! he is -gone, to come no more, and I must grope alone in the dark to find the -meaning of the many questions that weigh down my heart. - -"But thou must tell me now what is that sunny country I saw beneath me -when I was yonder, so near the skies? It was like a land all peace and -beauty, sending from below to where I stood a message of hope and -promise, luring me towards its fertile plains." - -"It is my country," said the peasant. "I know not if it is full of -beauty and promise, but I know that I love the village in which I live, -that dear to me is the small cottage where my mother sits and spins, the -old well from which the girls fetch water at the hour when the sun goes -down. I love the great plain where the corn waves in the heat of the -summer, and the long roads that are straight and dusty, upon which the -carts are always rumbling never in a hurry to reach the end. - -"It is a good country; and on feast days we dance in the villages, and -the girls wear skirts of many colours. But from the time when the snow -has melted I come to these lonely hills with my flocks, and here I -quietly remain--as sole companions my dogs, and occasionally the visit -of a shepherd like myself or that of a wandering monk--till the cold -blasts of autumn drive me back to the plains. - -"I do not mind the solitude--I have my flute, and the dear songs of my -country; and we love not overmuch to live in a hurry, or to move about -with busy hands. - -"My mother weaves and spins, and my sisters embroider strange designs on -the shirts they will wear on the day of their marriage. Oh, indeed I -love this country of mine!" - -"Tell me more," begged Eric. "I love to hear thee talk. I feel then the -peace of thy plains steal over my weary body that has come from so far." - -"There is not much to tell," answered the boy. "Our cottages are small -and are covered with shaggy roofs of thatch and maize. Large sunflowers -look in at the tiny windows, and when a stranger all hot and tired comes -along the road the dogs rush out from every door and the air is filled -with their barking and noise. - -"At the fall of night the herds come home raising clouds of dust as they -pass. Each one knows the corner where it dwells, and stops of its own -accord at its own gate, while the small boys run about bare-foot -clacking their whips. In winter everything is deeply enveloped with -snow, which lies like a cover of feathers, keeping the fields warm from -the frost, and when the sun goes to bed it lights up the sky with -flaming red that spreads over the snow as well; and then black troops of -crows fly across the horizon, and settle like a dark cloud upon the -white immensity, flat and endless, as far as the eye can reach. - -"And when spring comes the wind blows in storms and dries up the lakes -made by the melting snow. Then the fields are a patchwork of black and -white; timidly the little flowers push their heads through the dead -leaves in the woods, and the children run out of the villages to gather -them in bunches which they sell to the passers-by. Thou must remain with -me and I shall tell thee more!" - -But Eric explained that he must soon continue his road, for he knew not -how far he still had to go: - -"All roads will feel soft to my feet after the mountains I have climbed; -but my heart has lost its brightness and I begin to wonder what I shall -reach in the end. - -"At first the gladness that filled my being found an echo in each thing -I met as I went along. I used to sing and play on my flute. And then -came days when all was strange and full of secret dangers I could never -understand. - -"Later I climbed those awful mountains; much did I find there, and much -did I lose. But I no more sing as once I did." - -Both boys had risen and gone to the door of the hut, where they stood, -hands linked, looking out on the night; and there on the stump of a tree -near by sat the beautiful falcon, and round his neck the blue diamond -still blazed like a consoling star. Eric went to the bird and laid his -hand on its head; the faithful creature turned his way and a bright -light shone in its eyes. - -"This was my trusted scout, who showed me where I should go; but I fear -he will no more follow me when I go down to the plains. If thou allowest -I shall still spend this night under thy roof and then go my way." - -"I wish I could leave my flocks," cried the youth, "and follow thee; thy -face is so fair, and never have I heard voice more sweet. I fear I shall -see thee no more, for thou seemest out of a world of dreams." - -Eric did not reply, but stood looking into the night; then very slowly -he unfastened the golden chain he still wore round his neck, and slipped -it over the head of his host. - -"Keep this in token that really I have been with thee; but now let me -rest on thy couch, for I must leave thee soon." - -He turned back into the hut, and throwing himself upon the sacks of dry -leaves that formed the shepherd's bed, he was soon fast asleep, his head -buried in the folds of his cloak. The sun stood already far over the -mountain tops when Eric awoke after a refreshing sleep upon the -primitive resting-place. - -Outside the shepherd-boy was watching his sheep, leaning on his staff in -his wonted attitude. - -When he saw that Eric was awake he greeted him with a happy smile, and -immediately set about getting him food, and a freshly milked drink, all -white and warm. - -Upon Eric's bidding he led his guest to a little spring near by, where -at last he could wash off all traces of his past wanderings. - -His wounds had been awkwardly bound up by the kind-hearted youth on the -first night, while he lay in a swoon. - -Eric winced with pain when the cold water came in contact with his -scarcely healed skin; but it was a glorious joy to bathe in the fresh -running stream, and at last our traveller felt more like his old self. - -During his ablutions his host had carried off his once so neat clothes, -and when he came back to the hut he found the faithful boy sewing up the -rents in the rich black stuff with a long thread and needle. - -He had brushed away, as well as he could, all the spots and stains, but -the velvet coat and silken hose had kept little resemblance to the neat -apparel in which the King's favourite had started from the white palace -of the north. Eric lay down in the grass, turning his bare back to the -smiling sun-rays. - -Both youths joked happily together, as the peasant sewed away with -diligent fingers. And when they had no more words to say, the shepherd -lifted his young quavering voice and sang long-drawn ditties, which ever -had a mournful ring in their notes, full of melancholy and patient -longing. - -Eric felt almost happy. His recent adventures seemed far-away dreams of -another life; but he knew he never would be able to forget all that he -had suffered, knew that the gay thoughtless boy, who had started long -ago, was for ever a thing of the past. - -The falcon still sat upon the stump of the tree and watched with quiet -attention these two boys of such different races, the one so fair, the -other so dark, both handsome and good to look upon; but no man can know -what thoughts lay behind those piercing eyes. - -After a while the last stitch had been put, and the kindly youth held up -the velvet coat in triumph, so that the sun shone upon it making it look -quite new. - -"Never have I seen stuff so soft," he exclaimed, whilst he stroked the -rich worn tissue with his hand. - -"And it is all silk within, silvery grey, like the rays of the moon! And -thou hast given me thy golden chain! Was it indeed a gift from the -northern King? And to think that thou left him and all his glory to -wander all over the world in search of a face! Ah! never shall I know if -thou hast found it in the end! That thought is sad to me. Forsooth, I -wish I could call thee brother!" - -"Call me whatever thou willst," Eric replied. "I shall think of thee -when I am far; for didst thou not tend me with loving care? Didst thou -not feed me when I was famished and tired? Didst thou not save me when I -knew I could move no farther? No brother could have done more; and one -day, perhaps, we shall meet again. What is thy name?" - -"I am called Radu the shepherd, and my father possesses two fields and a -cart, with oxen that are grey like the stones on the road; their horns -are so long that it is difficult for them to hold their heads close -together; but we are poor all the same, and that is why I tend my flocks -on these mountain pastures so far from my village. But if thou dost -tarry for a time in yonder plains I may meet thee yet when I return to -my home; but one thing I must give thee before thou goest--thy shoes are -quite beyond repair--I have a couple of new sandals meant for Sunday -use; they may not be what thou art accustomed to wear, but my heart will -be glad if thou wilt accept so small a gift from me. Also I must see to -thy wounds. I have an ointment, made by the wisest woman of our village, -that can heal any sore. Come into my lowly hut and it will be my joy to -dress thee and bind up thy cruel cuts!" - -Eric gladly followed his kind friend, deeply touched by so much simple -hospitality, and gave himself over into the clever hands of the boy: he -was soon freshly bandaged with a soothing salve spread upon his aching -scars. - -Then he put on his neatly patched clothes, and let his host fasten the -sandals on his feet, wind the long leather thongs about his legs, and -tie them firmly under the knee. - -Not yet content with all he had done, the boy searched about in the -painted chest, and drew from its depths a long staff, richly decorated -with patterns cut out of metal and fixed upon the wood with tiny nails. - -"This I have worked upon for years, inventing the most intricate -designs. It has been the pleasure of my lonely hours, and I want thee to -have it, because never have I loved a face as much as thine; nothing so -fair has ever come my way! But don't forget Radu the shepherd! It would -grieve me sore!" - -Now the beautiful sword was girt round our wanderer's waist, the -much-used cloak hung over his back; and then, taking the boy's present -in his hand, he drew the kindly friend into his arms and held him long -in a warm embrace. - -When the peasant lifted his head from Eric's shoulder large hot tears -were running down his cheeks. - -For a last time the two boys firmly clasped hands, and then Eric tore -himself away. The falcon spread its white wings and flew before him -leading the way. - -Several times Eric turned to look his last on the comrade who had been -so kind; there he stood silhouetted against the sky, leaning as ever -upon his staff, his flock around him, his dogs at his feet. - - - - -XX - - I saw her eyes like stars and her face pale and wonderful as dawn, - and her lips like twilight water. - - FIONA MACLEOD. - - -Eric had now reached the base of the mountains, had actually set his -foot within that fruitful, smiling plain. - -One of the long roads that he had perceived from the heights lay before -him. - -It was covered with thick white dust, and on both sides the cornfields -stood in ripening abundance, rippling in the soft wind like waves that -had been dyed yellow by the rays of the sun. Bright-tinted flowers grew -in the ditches--red, blue, and yellow--a feast for the traveller's eye. - -Eric walked quickly; new hope had risen in his heart, his body felt -rested, his spirit eager; he wondered if this would be the land of his -dreams? The sun shone upon him from a cloudless sky; the crystal of his -sword reflected its dazzling blue, whilst the staff he held in his hand -had turned into burnished gold. - -He passed many peasants as he went, and all of them turned and gazed -after this stranger in silken clothes. - -Eric had never lost his radiant smile; and all whom he met felt better -and richer because they had looked upon the light that shone in his -eyes. - -Never had he seen roads so straight and so shadeless; they seemed to -lead in an uncurving line from one end of the earth to the other; and -those that walked upon them were never in a hurry. - -Strings of carts laden with freshly cut corn and hay moved slowly along, -the heads of the patient oxen bent low to the ground, straining under -the weight they dragged. - -High above the swinging loads long-haired youths stretched in lazy -content, piped dreamy tunes upon their wooden flutes, their eyes hidden -beneath broad-brimmed hats. All were dressed in the same white shirts -Radu had worn. - -There were also old men walking beside the vehicles, bearing heavy -scythes on their shoulders. - -Their faces were browned, the colour of sun-baked earth; and from under -the shade of their hats silvery locks hung down covering the napes of -their wrinkled necks. - -One friendly peasant had bidden Eric take a rest on the top of his hay, -and our wanderer had gladly accepted, swinging himself up on the swaying -mass. - -There he reposed among the fragrant green, half buried beneath the -flowers of yesterday. - -The faithful hawk flew down from the blue and perched close to his feet. -Eric closed his eyes, hugging his sword to his breast; and as he did so -the vision of his dream stood before him with startling vividness. - -Never had he seen the face so distinctly; never had the eyes looked into -his from so near. He sat up, almost expecting to find some unknown being -at his side; but no--he was shut in all about by the withered grass that -smelt so sweet and was so deliciously soft to his limbs. - -But why had he so clearly felt his vision's sweet presence? It made his -heart beat with breathless excitement. How warm the sun was! How long -the road! - -The clouds of dust raised by the wheels of the carts were so thick that -Eric could no more see where he was going. But had he not always -allowed Fate to shape events as she would? This time again he would not -worry, but simply believe in his luck as he had done all along, and -trust in God who had so mercifully guided his steps. - -Eric must have fallen asleep on his moving bed, because when he awoke -the sun was already low and the carts had stopped beside a wood near the -edge of the road. The peasants had unyoked their oxen, which were -quietly chewing the cud, watching their masters with large humid eyes, -their tails lazily flicking the swarms of flies from off their flanks. - -The men sat in groups; some smoking, some preparing their meal of Indian -corn over a small fire they had lit in the ditch. - -Eric climbed down from his lofty resting-place, looking around him -rather dazed from his sleep. - -The falcon rose noiselessly into the air and flew off, perching upon a -tall tree in the wood beyond. It had not yet forsaken its travelling -companion, and Eric followed its flight with an affectionate look. - -The men made room for the youth as they all sat around the boiling pot -that hung over the fire from three crossed bars. One man stirred the -thick dough with a solid rounded stick; from time to time they took -draughts of cool water, putting their lips to the thick spouts of -quaintly shaped earthen pots which were standing at their side. - -None could resist our traveller's charm, and every one treated him as an -honoured guest, wherever he brought his sunny smile, his dreamer's eyes, -and his golden locks. - -His new hosts asked him a few vague questions, about what he was doing, -whither he was going, and whence he came; but they showed no great -eagerness; it even appeared to Eric as if nothing could take them by -surprise. In their quiet acceptation of all that came and went, they -much reminded Eric of their own beasts of burden. - -They did not seem to think, but only to dream, and consider one thing as -good as another; they were ready to share whatever was theirs with this -stranger whom they had met on the way. - -In the distance a tiny village could be seen, hidden amongst thick -shrubs and trees; but the peasants explained it was not their home; they -still had far to go, so they meant to stop here for the night, sleeping -either in the ditch among the dusty flowers or upon their loads of hay. - -They kindly proposed that Eric should remain with them and rest beside -their carts, which he agreed to do; but before settling down for the -night he felt inclined to wander through the wood and to discover what -lay beyond. - -The peasants had suddenly espied the wonderful sword that hung from his -belt, and they would not let him go before they had handled it in turns. - -For a moment they dropped their calm in loud exclamations of approval, -and stood around him as he let the blade flash in the sinking light. - -Then he moved away, and soon was lost among the oaks of the wood that -spread their branches over his head. Through their thick trunks the -setting sun could be seen turning the sky into a burning furnace, and -one side of every trunk seemed glowing hot as the fiery rays smote upon -it. - -A thick carpet of green spread beneath his feet, and innumerable birds -sang amongst the trees as he passed. The wood was small, and before long -Eric had reached the farther side. - -In front of him stretched the broad bed of a river, now almost dry; but -in several places the water flowed calmly along in separate streams. - -The banks were bordered with grey-green willows and on the small islands -in the river's bed the same trees thickly grew. The water was dyed red -by the sinking sun, and each stone shone like a jewel, as if some -wasteful king had cast all his treasure away. - -There, where the river was dry, Eric perceived a group of small brown -tents, like giant withered leaves, that the parting sun was turning into -every shade of rust and orange. - -Little columns of smoke mounted into the air on all sides, throwing -their blue veil of filmy vapour over the bushes in the background. - -Tied up to some trees near by were lean, hungry-looking horses of all -sorts, and solemn grey donkeys wandered about amongst the loose stones -cropping each blade of grass they could find. - -Eric descended the small bank that separated the wood from the river and -hesitatingly approached the shabby tents. As he did so a whole swarm of -nut-brown children came running towards him, from every corner, with -outstretched, begging hands, their rags hanging in tatters around their -thin little bodies. - -Some were quite naked and as dark as mahogany, with enormous black eyes -and feathery lashes. They screamed and chattered, and many of them -turned mad somersaults over the stony ground to attract the wanderer's -attention. - -In a second the whole settlement was in a violent uproar of excitement, -mixed with the barking of dogs. - -From each dwelling dark, curiously clad men and women trooped out. - -Many were beautiful, and all had marvellous eyes; the younger men wore -their hair in thick black curls, hanging about their faces. There were -frightful old hags amongst them draped in discoloured garments that -almost fell from their withered limbs, held only together by broad -scarlet girdles that were wound innumerable times around their waists. - -One or two young girls were startlingly handsome; they stood with heads -thrown back, their hands on their hips, holding short white pipes -between their flashing teeth. - -Their tresses were bound in gaudy rags, and each wore a flower of -brightest hue stuck behind her ear. Round their necks they had hung -strings of beads and shells, of all sorts and sizes, that shone in -varying colours as they moved about. - -They were slim and upright, with narrow hips and beautiful feet and -hands, but one and all were as dark as Indians, their faces having taken -the tint of the long roads they were for ever pursuing. - -As Eric had immediately guessed, this was a troop of that mysterious -race of gypsies that comes from no one knows whither, and wanders over -the world with no destination in view. Everywhere they are dreaded by -the quiet inhabitants of the villages, for they are ready to steal all -that comes their way, and never respect what belongs to another. - -At the slightest provocation their knives are ready to spring from their -belts; their tempers blaze like scorching flames; to them it seems but -part of the day's work to leave a dagger within the heart of any who -have awakened their resentment. - -Now they all clamoured and yelled as they dragged at his cloak, touched -his clothes, fingered his sword, and nearly pulled the staff from his -hand. - -But they were all laughing and excited, evidently enchanted to meet so -fair a traveller who had so unexpectedly fallen in their midst. - -Eric felt quite confused by this turbulent greeting, and was wondering -what was going to happen next, when one of the quite old women moved out -of the mob, took hold of his cloak, and pulled him towards her tent. - -She was clothed in an old carpet-like cloth that she had wrapped round -her loins over a discoloured shift that might once have been white, but -was now the shade of the earth; the whole was held together by a long -band of faded colours that was twisted several times round hips and -waist. Her grey hair hung in thin strands over her face, that was -wrinkled and brown like the bark of a tree, but which still showed signs -of former beauty. She was bent almost double, and dragged herself along -with the help of a twisted staff. Like all the others she had a short -white pipe in her mouth, and her head was covered with a kerchief of -brilliant colour. - -From her belt hung a curiously shaped shell, a sign that she was a -teller of fortunes, and therefore a respected personage amongst this -troop of nomads. - -Eric followed her without resistance, but hesitated at the entry to her -dark dwelling, very reluctant to penetrate within anything so unclean; -but the old woman was insistent, and our young traveller had to yield -and even to take his place upon some indescribable rags that served as a -bed and seat all in one. - -The air was stifling and full of smoke, the whole place so devoid of -cleanliness that Eric hardly dared to look about. The gypsy took his -hand in hers, but Eric found great difficulty in understanding what she -was saying, in spite of the knowledge that had come to him through the -old man's tablets. With her bony finger she began following the lines on -his palm. Outside the tent the other gypsies stood jabbering and -laughing. - -All of a sudden the old woman gave a start, and declared that whatever -his fate had been, now he was near a critical moment in his life, and -must expect either a great joy or a great pain, she could not tell -which; ... "but," added the old creature, "great joy and great pain lie -very near together, and often one rises out of the other; it is hard to -say which is nearer truth. - -"I am the wise woman of this wandering people; from near and far they -come to listen to my words; much could I tell thee of what I have seen, -for there is not a road on this earth upon which my weary feet have not -moved. - -"If thou wilt not hurry away I shall tell thee many a tale; but to-day I -can show thee something which we call the treasure of our clan, though -in truth it belongs not to us; we believe, however, that it brings luck -to our wandering tribe. Come quickly, before the light bids us -farewell." - -The strange old thing again seized our astonished traveller and dragged -him after her out of the tent. - -The rest of the dark mob wanted to follow, but the fortune-teller, who -seemed to be the respected head of this curious people, stopped them -with loud imprecations, and none dared oppose her wishes. She told them -to go back to their camp, because she alone had the right to lead the -fair stranger whither she would--that he was her guest and she would -have none of their noisy company. - -With incredible agility for her age she led the way, over several -streams of shallow water, over rolling stones and wet sand, to a small -island in the middle of the river's bed. Eric marvelled at the rapidity -with which she moved along, helping herself with her stick; above their -heads the white falcon flew, as always, showing the way. - -Here the willows grew thick and grey, trailing their sinuous branches -down to the ground where they mixed with earth and sand. - -The gypsy parted the thick boughs, and as she did so a sound of sweet -music came wafted on the air, dream-like, something within its notes -that was at once both ghostly and unreal, something that made the heart -stand still in an ecstasy of wonder. - -Eric's leader scrambled up the steep bank, still firmly clutching his -cloak, and almost ran along, winding her way in and out, amongst the -thick growth of shrubs. - -There was deep shade here in this silent place. A soft grey-green light -was over all, only from between the leaves the sky could be seen -blood-red. - -The ground was covered with a thick carpet of harebells the colour of an -Italian sky; they swayed their heads with a tinkling sound whenever a -breath of wind stirred the air. - -It was a spot where fairies would surely dwell, mysterious, cool, and -full of secret promise. - -And there, in the midst of this carpet of blue, leaning against a -moss-grown crumbling tree, was a spirit-like being out of another world! - -[Illustration: _And there, leaning against a moss-grown crumbling tree, -was a spirit-like being out of another world._] - -No words can describe what Eric felt! - -He only knew he was at the end of his way ... that all his wanderings -were not in vain--that something marvellous and unspeakably sweet had -suddenly flooded earth and sky, that the entire universe had become one -song of praise, one cry of hope, one yearning desire of fulfilment.... - -There, before him in all their wonder and perfection, were the face and -eyes that had stolen the peace from his soul and the art from his hands. - -He fell on his knees, overcome by the surging emotion that filled heart -and brain. - -He could not grasp this amazing miracle that completely overwhelmed his -being; the hermit's words alone rang in his ears: "It may not come in -splendid raiment with a crown on its head, but keep thy heart open as -well as thy eyes...." Yes, his eyes and heart both were open and a -glorious light swept over his life, like a warm wave before which all -resistance gives way, covering both past and future, with an immense -longing for perfect achievement. - -And this was the vision that had been at last revealed to the eyes that -had searched with such tireless persistence, with such strong and -faithful belief in the ultimate crowning of their desire: A girl, slim -and ethereal, clad in the garment of poverty, a shirt-like dress over -which a colourless scarf had been many times wound till the delicate -figure resembled that of an Egyptian fresco; feet and arms were bare, -and of utmost perfection. - -From under a wreath of fragile harebells streamed the most exquisite -tresses ever seen--rich brown in tone, but the sun had shone on them so -lovingly long, that a haze of golden red had been breathed over them by -all the rays that had ceaselessly caressed their softness. - -She stood, her head thrown back; within her hand she held an old violin -on which she was playing like one in a far-off world, for whom neither -turmoil nor strife can exist, playing like an angel from the regions -above, where no sin and no sorrow can have place.... - -But her face. Oh! her face ... in truth it was not of this world! - -A radiance seemed to illuminate it from within, a shine that could come -but from a soul in touch with the infinite, a soul full of light and -love and hope, that no material distance could sever from its perfect -communion with God. And then her eyes! Large and grey, with a far-away -look--eyes that see visions and dreams past the knowledge of man; starry -and clear, yet deep as a summer sea; eyes in which lay hidden all the -boundless illusions of our human race, mixed with a peace that has no -name. - -Above her head the leaves rustled with a whispering sound; the flowers -trembled, shaking their bells in waves of blue. The last glow in the sky -fell slanting through the branches upon the girlish figure, till she -appeared to be a transparent apparition out of the legends of yore. - -Serenely indifferent to the two who watched her in rapture and silence, -she played her heavenly music, a distant hymn to a being she alone could -see; and upon invisible wings the gentle evening breeze carried the -rippling notes far away into the fading red of the sky.... - -The old woman came quite near to Eric and whispered in his ear: - -"They say that she is mad; but I know things that lie deeper than the -deepest ocean, which they never can understand; however, I shall teach -thee some of my wisdom: God has pressed His lips on her eyes, so she -ever sees visions we earthly mortals have not the power to conceive. - -"She is not one of us! She is of a race as far removed from ours as the -sky is removed from the earth. But those that live in the dust, whose -feet move amidst the mud of the roads, cannot believe that a creature so -spotless and pure can exist in this world and yet never soil its -perfection! - -"So they say she is daft and turn lightly away from a problem too deep -for the comfort of their shallow souls: for verily it is easier to -disbelieve what the common brain cannot fathom." - -"But who is she?" queried Eric, with bated breath. - -"Ah! that we shall never know. - -"In a distant land far over the sea we were once wandering on a -rich-coloured autumn morning, and there we found, on the grey steps of a -church, an infant of marvellous beauty. Her pearly limbs were enfolded -in fine linen and lace. We had mercy upon the innocent babe, for our -hearts have not the colour of our faces; and since that blessed day she -has been the joy of our tribe and the pride of both young and old. - -"But when she grew to the age when she could talk, not a syllable could -we understand. Her eyes for ever were searching the skies, and her words -spoke of things she alone could perceive. Even I, who am wise, could not -follow her sayings. - -"But gradually an inner voice told me that there was something holy -about this stranger maiden, something which removed her far from us, -something that mortal hands should not touch. - -"Then I understood that God had laid His hand upon her brain. Now she -seldom speaks, but always plays these heartrending notes. Hark, fair -stranger, listen if it is not unearthly and sweet." - -Eric listened with all his soul; never before had such music come to his -ears. - -It was full of tears, and sighs, and hopes, and dreams; it was heavenly -indeed, and yet a sobbing human chord pierced the whole, with a -never-ending cry for the things that every poor mortal needs. It rose -and fell, carried upon the changing tides of love and hope; it contained -a yearning effort, a boundless longing, towards that land of chimeras -and dreams beyond the boundaries of the earth. - -Every chord seemed strung to a pulsing heart bound and fettered, yet -gasping to be free. - -Then it changed into an intensity of peace, like the soft winds of night -descending slowly upon the heat and toil of the day; dying away into -fading notes always fainter and sweeter, like the first breath of spring -over sleeping woods, like the hushed voice of a great sadness that can -still hope and believe ... and then, quite suddenly, there was silence, -and only the summer breeze stirred amongst the boughs of the trees. - - - - -XXI - - At last! - The fount of beauty, Fountain of all dreams, - Now am I come upon my long desire. - - FIONA MACLEOD. - - -Each day Eric came to this spot of beauty to look upon the being who was -the realization of his soul's desire. - -But the terrible mystery, that God allowed, was that this girl never -even seemed to see that he was there. - -Eric Gundian, who was adored of all--Eric of the golden locks, Eric the -sweet-voiced,--could not make her eyes realize his presence. - -The wandering people had received him into their hearts, as every man -did upon whom he turned and smiled. They gave him a tent and begged him -never more to depart. - -But the living dream he had come so far to seek remained in a world of -her own, to which he could not find the key. The dark tribe felt no -rivalry towards this being of light who had so suddenly appeared in -their midst. They saw that he was a creature apart, made of another -clay, filled with another life; something that they could dearly love, -but never completely understand. - -Like the rough seamen on the ship, they hoped he would for ever cast in -his lot with theirs and not depart as suddenly as he had come. - -Zorka, the old fortune-teller, was his daily guide; and they all -considered it natural that this glorious youth should have fallen -beneath the spell of the mad girl, who was their greatest pride and -deepest grief. - -Had they not sought in turn a smile from her lips, a look out of the -wonder of her eyes, and had she not always seen past them, far beyond, -into horizons all her own, never noticing the glowing worship that was -cast at her feet? - -Now they watched with growing anxiety if this handsome stranger would -move her heart and bring her eyes down to this earth. They both hoped -and feared. - -They longed that the miracle should come to pass, and yet, in the -deepest recesses of their hearts, there was not one who did not -jealously dread the moment when, perchance, she might turn in love to -this youth they knew was not as they. But none feared so much as old -Zorka the witch--because had she not read within the flames of the fire, -within the flight of the birds, within the forms of the smoke, within -the ripples of the wave-kissed sands, that this maiden was not for -earthly love, that the day when mortal lips should touch her with human -caress she would fade away like vapour on the sea! - -Indeed she may have erred in the reading of the signs, but it would be -for the very first time in her life. So she cursed the day when she had -led this beautiful boy into the presence of the girl she adored. And -yet--and yet--can ever Fate be turned from the path upon which she -glides? Must not one and all drink from the cup which has been fashioned -for each separate lip? - -Stella she had called the stranger maiden--Stella, because of her -shining orbs; and no doubt when God needed her amongst His other stars, -He would then take her for His very own. Ah, the wise woman, with her -weak and trembling hands, how could she change the course of the moving -worlds! - -So she sat by her fire and stared into the bluey flames, her old head -bent, her knotted palms resting on her knees, puffing away at her pipe -of clay, seeing weird shapes in the smoke that rose quivering to the -sky. - -So much had she seen, so much ... so much: - -Lands of sunshine and regions of snow, storm-tossed waves and calmest -sea, visions of beauty and visions of pain; men that live in the clear -light of day and men that crawl in the shadows of night. She had seen -things that had their beginnings in joy, and things that ended in -sorrow, creatures that live and creatures that die, women that love and -others that hate. Murder she had seen; and her ears had heard the last -groaning sighs of the dying, as they had hearkened for the sounds of -hope when the human soul was being cast naked into this world of sorrow. - -The beginnings and the ends. Yes, everything had come her way,--her eyes -were dim and tired from having seen all too much! - -And now as she waited here not far from that island of promise, she knew -that the youthful wanderer was giving all his soul in an agony of hope -and expectation. She knew she was poor and helpless before these -mysteries of life; that at times even the wisest hands must hang in idle -rest. - -Yes, day by day Eric came and sat beside this treasure he had found, and -yet it was still as far removed as in the days when he was only -dreaming. - -Instead of in sleep, now his waking sight drank in the vision which was -part of his living being. But although he had poured out every -supplication and ardent prayer his mind could conceive, he never could -imprison a single look that he knew was conscious of his presence. - -She sometimes would talk, but more often she would play upon her beloved -violin, and then Eric would feel that each drop of his blood was rushing -through his veins like a mountain torrent; or he would be possessed by -a frantic longing to be free of his body to soar with the music far up -into heaven. - -It would happen that she would take hold of his hand and lead him to -places of strangest solitude, and there her visionary words would try to -describe the marvellous things her brain was seeing. - -He followed the flight of her extraordinary thoughts; but each day he -was filled with deeper depression, knowing that never had she -consciously looked at his face, never had she realized that it was an -unusual companion who was now at her side, that she was alone with a -being consumed by love. - -She talked in a confiding voice as a child speaks to its mother, or as -one that had the habit of conversing alone in the night. - -The things she said, and conjured up before his eager mind, were -saturated with such unheard-of sweetness that Eric lived in a world he -had never known. - -And so the days passed one by one; the bluebells faded and died, and -still Eric clung to the forlorn hope that Stella's eyes would suddenly -open and see him at her side. The gypsies folded their tents and moved -farther on, roaming from spot to spot. - -Wherever they went Eric was always with them. - -For hours he would walk in the dust of the roads, keeping pace with the -bare feet of the woman he loved. - -The falcon was always there, and still flew like a white banner before -him, as it had done on the very first day. But now Eric no more followed -the shine on its wings; he was following a lowly maiden who held his -beating heart within her careless hand. - -He passed through many villages such as Radu had described: the savage -dogs rushed out and surrounded their wandering procession, the -maize-thatched cottages had their doors wide open, and it was true that -the tall sunflowers could peep in at the tiny windows, and that the -maidens sat upon the thresholds drawing their tireless needles through -the snowy linen that lay in their laps. - -The peasants looked at the earth-coloured travellers with glances of -disdain; and seldom did a kindly welcome greet them as they came. - -Only for Eric they made an exception, and more than one dark-eyed girl -would have given much to keep him at her side. - -Autumn was turning the leaves into glorious colours. The woods were a -never-ending marvel of red, gold, and brown. On the freshly reaped -maize-fields the Indian corn lay in small pyramids of ripest orange. The -peasants sat about in groups singing the songs of harvest, whilst the -early night did its best to hurry the glowing sunsets out of the flaming -sky. - -Always smaller grew the hope in our wanderer's heart, always more weary -were the endless roads. - -Stella still had her eyes turned upon things he could not see. He had -not been able to make her grasp the fact that she had a stranger at her -side. - -Each day he brought her another wreath for her burnished tresses--a -wreath that he wound with his artist fingers from whatever flowers he -could find along his road. - -They were becoming scarcer and rarer because of the descending autumn -that lay like a hush over the tired world. He made them of pale-tinted -crocuses that hung upon her forehead like tired sighs--he bound them -with the brightest leaves of the season that resembled the spreading -sunsets he so loved at the end of the day. Often he had plucked shining -berries that surrounded her waxen brow like heavy drops of blood. And -one day the wreath he brought her was all feathery and white, plaited -with the fluffy ghosts of the wild clematis that climbs over rock and -tree. - -On a morning when the clouds hung heavy over their heads he pressed -above her lovely face a garland of sloe-berries entwined with grey -leaves of the weeping-willow; they fell about her delicate temples, -touching her rounded cheeks with loving caresses as a mother's hand -would do. - -Once as she sat on a hard heap of stones, spent after the tramp of the -day, he left her to glean from the barren fields ripe ears of corn that -had been scattered by the reapers on their way. - -He made them into a golden crown which he laid at her feet in the dust, -looking into her eyes, trembling under the weight of his love. - -And always he found some lowly plant which he plucked with the thought -of bringing a smile to her lips. He even conjured into a circlet of -silver the star-shaped thistles that grew amongst the wilting grass, and -so that their prickles should not wound her delicate skin, he lined it -with soft green moss that lay close against her forehead, guarding it -from the slightest scratch. - -But the days when he found neither flower nor plant he felt like a -beggar that dare not come before the face of his queen.... - -Often when the roving tribe had pitched their tents for the night, -Gundian would go and sit beside the fire with old Zorka the witch, and -he never wearied of the tales she told, listening, with interest that -was always new, to the quaint words that fell from her lips. - -Zorka's heart had made him her own, and she dearly loved to have him at -her side; but never did she find the needed courage to urge him to -relinquish his quest; yet, as the days rolled by, she feared more and -more that the signs might really come true. - -On a night when all was dark and still, the very old woman and the -beautiful youth sat side by side looking into the leaping flames. - -Zorka raised her careworn face and scanned his thinning cheeks, his -sunken eyes, and the beautiful hands that were nervously clasped on his -knee. Her old heart ached with fearful desire for all that could not be. - -"Son, my son!" she suddenly cried, "ah that I could tear the stars from -the sky and throw them before thy feet! Oh that I could drag down the -rays of the moon and hide them all in thy breaking heart to stop thy -longing! that I could draw out all the richness of the earth and give it -to thee, so that thou shouldst be at peace! But thus it is the wide -world over; we think we have reached our soul's desire, and then we -stand before it empty of all our hope." - -As she spoke, sweet sounds of music came floating out of the dark--the -soft notes of a violin in which all the sorrow of the earth seemed -concentrated beneath the rippling cadence of joy. - -Eric covered his face with his hands, and Zorka felt the burning tears -rise to her dim old eyes, but she brushed them hastily away with the -back of her hand. - -"Dear young one," she said, "what can I do for thee? Hast thou not told -me that thou wast once a great artist with fairy fingers, and that thou -didst come all this endless way through joy, sorrow, and danger, in -search of a face ... and now.... Oh, I have guessed it since many a day -thou hast found that face--but where is thy art? - -"Crave not for what thou canst not have, but cling to that which God has -given thee. If I get thee brush and colour wilt thou try and create that -face for a second time? Create it so that all should wonder how human -hands could ever have been able to paint so glorious a treasure. When we -cannot have the thing itself we must try and grasp its shadow." - -"Oh!" cried Eric, "my old master said that the thing is God's." - -"I do not know," said old Zorka, "if we pray to the same God, thou and -I. Human beings always need forms into which they press their worship, -but I, who am old, can tell thee this: there is but one God for all, and -each man shapes Him according to the depth and breadth of his own little -soul. - -"When we are children and play on the ground we are taught to call Him -Father! When we grow up we long for Him as a friend, but if He keeps His -smile for others we curse Him and turn our backs and say we do not -believe He exists. But when grief and despair knock at our door, we long -to feel Him near us once more, but we have lost our way. We grope in the -dark, we hit our hands and our heads, we cry, and we moan, we stumble -and fall till we are laid low in the dust. - -"Then it is long till again we look up. Our hair is bleached, our backs -are bent, our eyes are dim, and faltering our step; but gradually we see -all things as they were meant to be--we have left hope far behind, all -that shone and was sweet knows us no more; our way is without either -light or shade, it is grey and smooth like the ocean after the storm has -gone by. - -"We believe that its colour will never be anything but grey; but one day -a faint light spreads very far over the most distant horizon and our -tired brain begins to perceive that that light is coming slowly towards -us, slowly--slowly--till it reaches our heart ... and that light means -peace that passeth all human understanding; peace, the ultimate promise -of that God we had cast away; peace, the blessing of our snow-white -hair, the last hope of our ended pilgrimage. But, my boy, wilt thou do -as I bid, and create with thy hands the face thou lovest so well?" - -"I cannot, I cannot," sobbed Eric, his face all convulsed with pain; "I -have lost my art and lost my belief. I am now only one consuming -passionate desire." - -"Dear one that I love," answered sadly the old nomad, "for what hast -thou climbed so high if thou now wilt not look up? I tell thee that if -thou wilt grasp the talent that belongs to thee thou shalt find a relief -beyond all thou darest to hope. - -"I have been reading the signs out of the wind-swept clouds, and I know -that thus help will come to thee." - -"Ah, but, Mother Zorka, tell me, will she ever look at me with eyes that -see?" - -"Her eyes do see, my son, and although thy face be the fairest my old -brain has ever conceived, canst thou know if the vision her mind is for -ever adoring is not of a beauty far beyond our dreams? - -"Certain flowers are not there to be plucked. - -"Why the great Being of the skies has brought thee through pain and -danger, drawn thee into this distant land, to dash the full cup from thy -thirsty lips, after having smilingly led thee so far--is a mystery I -cannot explain. - -"But dost realize what it would be if thou shouldst pluck the flower too -soon and thy touch be too rough, and the petals fall fading to the -ground; dost know how empty then thy hands would be? - -"Do as I tell thee, make that heavenly face thy very own by drawing it -with the artist hands thy God has given thee! I love thee well, but I -have loved her longer than thee. If the day is to come when her heart -shall open to earthly passion, her eyes to the dear sight of thy face, -let that day be blessed and hold it fast if thou canst. - -"I shall only look on; for that is the weary lot of those who live in -the past: but once more I tell thee, paint, oh, paint her face--the time -may come when it will be too late! - -"But now go to thy tent, for I am tired and the night is cold." - -Eric rose sadly and threaded his way through the sleeping camp, past the -fires that were burning low, past the patient groups of tired horses, -till he reached his bed. - -But Zorka sat still many an hour, following the shadowy road of her -past, her dim eyes fixed upon the glowing ashes, speaking to the Being -who rules our destinies, and asking over again the eternal, unanswered -"Why?" looking up to the too distant sky which for ever keeps its -mystery to itself. - - - - -XXII - - He seeks to know - The joy that is more great than joy - The beauty of the old green earth can give. - - FIONA MACLEOD. - - -Zorka kept her promise; and one day, who knows whence, Eric found all he -needed for beginning the picture the old woman had commanded him to -paint. - -The tents had been pitched quite near to a forest all shining and -shimmering in every shade of gold; gold under foot, gold overhead, gold -falling softly from every bough. - -The sun threw his glinting rays upon all the beauty that was a last -glorious farewell Nature was taking from the departing year. The smoke -of the camps and the mist of the autumn mornings mingled like spirit -souls, and waved in moving vapours, veils that some fairy might have -hung over the branches to fill her dwelling with mystic shadows and -shades. From within the shelter of the wood, the great naked plain could -be seen as far as the eye could reach, but the waving ocean of corn was -a past dream of the summer months. - -Now the fields and pastures looked desolate and barren, dark and cold, -even beneath the face of the kindly life-giving planet that shone down -upon it with a friendly face. - -The rusty tents resembled dwarf pyramids standing upon some desert seen -from afar off. - -But the forest was a palace fit for a king, fashioned out of lustrous -rays all woven together into a web of sunny yellows, and there sat Eric -for many an hour trying to make his picture live. - -Stella never refused to let him take her hand, and followed him meekly -whither he led. He seated her upon a bank of grass, having first covered -it over and over with leaves of fiery red. - -For her lovely feet he made a nest of warm green moss, and at her side -he laid a sycamore leaf full of jet-black bramble-berries as polished as -agate balls. - -Out of their flexible branches he wound a wreath about her head; their -fading leaves made a many-tinted crown, more beautiful than a queen -could wear, all amber, topaz, and burnished gold, deep and rich in hue, -splashed in places as with stains of blood. - -In and out among the rusty leaves he had plaited dark purple aster stars -that nestled among her waving hair. Whilst his nervous fingers were by -slow degrees laying hold of his forsaken art, Stella played him ancient -tunes of such melting sweetness that often his hot tears flowed down and -mixed in crystal rivulets with the colours on his palette. As she -played, all the visions of the days of his wanderings rose up out of the -distance and floated like shadows before his brain. - -He saw little Oona playing with her balls on the smooth marble terrace, -saw the sleepy little town with the scarlet bunches of geraniums, heard -the bird-like voice of the unknown girl singing her song of innocence. -He walked again under the face of the moon into the ice maiden's snowy -castle, and there he stood with her amongst the beating, broken hearts -that lay awaiting the great trumpet call. He stood on the wave-tossed -boards of the frail little vessel, mingling his voice with the cries of -the sea. - -Then, wandering through the enchanted grottos, he came to the place -where he shudderingly knelt by the murdered form of the far too -entrancing woman. In the ruined cathedral the Virgin's eyes once again -blessed his folded hands with her flowing tears. - -Above all, the venerated face of his dearly loved master rose -startlingly vivid, waving to him with trembling hands, and his little -travelling companion came running towards him, her dear arms -outstretched in joyous greeting. - -The silent army of phantoms passed and faded into space, so that amongst -the falling leaves of autumn he imagined he could clearly see the -many-coloured bubbles rise like tropical butterflies floating always -farther away. - -Last of all came Radu the shepherd, with eyes resembling two burning -coals, his white teeth shining from between his smiling lips. - -And there was not one of these trembling apparitions that did not look -down upon him with loving glances;--only this fair being playing at his -side would not turn her look his way. - -Oh, those eyes that his fairy fingers at last were fixing on his canvas: -deep, grey, wide open, surrounded by long black lashes that were like -dark rays radiating from the unfathomed pupils, starry eyes overflowing -with celestial dreams, eyes that never, ah, never would come down to -look into his! - -He clenched his teeth, and, casting away his brushes, he threw himself -down at her feet, laying his face close against them as they rested, -pale twin sisters, amongst the mosses he had gathered. - -But Stella was as ever in a world of her own; and whilst the young -painter was trembling with uncontrollable longing, his lips pressed upon -the ground as close to her as he dared, she serenely played on her -violin, making it cry out all the infinite yearning to which her -ethereal nature had never yet awakened. - - - - -XXIII - - And know that the sorrow of sorrows is only a law of his being. - - FIONA MACLEOD. - - -The tired leaves were falling always thicker; the days were shorter; -night came down with the rapidity of a swooping bird; and more than once -in the early morn a white frost had covered the ground like crystallized -sugar strewn all over the earth. - -The gypsies' camp was still pitched beside the wood. They had work to do -in the villages close by, and often in the evenings the long-suffering -donkeys came back heavily laden with vessels of shining copper, which -the dark people mended and patched, as is the wont of their wandering -race. - -Their voices could be heard, either in song or strife, as they hammered -away on the rounded caldrons that shone from far, the colour of molten -lead. - -The naked children played about in noisy groups, quarrelling like little -brown monkeys, pursuing, with extended hands, every traveller that -ventured too near their tents, and relating their misery with lamentable -cries. - -There was word of moving to some warmer clime, but as yet no order of -march had been given, though the nights were cold and the large fires -that were lit, and glowed in the dark like funeral pyres, were hardly -sufficient protection. When the young men had finished their work for -the day they would sit around in groups, playing games of cards with -packs all greasy and blackened by constant use, games which often ended -in noisy discord, when more than one sharpened blade would have to be -knocked out of angry hands. The old women came together and sat by the -leaping flames, weird witches of ancient legends, talking and -chattering, relating endless yarns of endless deeds both gay and -sinister, often scolding the young ones for all they had left undone, -threatening them with every curse if they did not mend their ways. - -The lean dogs walked about snatching at every remnant of food they could -lay their hungry teeth upon, but the horses passively waited till the -dark hour would sound for receiving once more their heavy burdens, which -they would carry with patient resignation in spite of the scarcely -healed wounds upon their tired backs. - -Only Zorka never joined those rowdy groups; she sat alone in her gloomy -tent like some old beggared queen, thinking about long-past glories. Her -pipe was ever between her lips; the smoke curled upwards in tiny wisps, -forming odd shapes that quivered about like mystic signs mounting into -the damp cold air. - -Each day she watched with growing anxiety the two young people, who, at -the fall of night, would come slowly towards her out of the forest. - -Since long she had imagined that nothing more could touch her withered -heart; but the sight of these mortals, so full of beauty, purity, and -light, had filled her with a new benevolence, and she longed with an -unspeakable longing to help them if she could. - -She was moved by conflicting feelings, asking herself if Stella's -marvellous visions were worth one poor human kiss, one enchanted -awakening to the wonders of love. - -Oh, what use was all her long-accumulated wisdom if it failed her at a -moment like this! What should she do? Should she tell the enamoured -youth to go his way, not to waste his days running after something that -could never be? - -But it would break his heart; was he not a dreamer of dreams, and -therefore a kindred soul to the solitary maiden who had never seen -anything but pictures that certainly were not of this world. - -Sometimes she felt an overpowering desire that a sweet miracle might -come to pass, and that these two lovely innocents should both at the -same instant put their lips to the full cup of Life. - -Even ... even ... yes, death in attainment; would it be so terrible a -thing! Ah! But does death ever mercifully cover with his wings two -living hearts at once? Does he not always leave the one in cold misery -to carry his despair alone? So many heavy problems! and she who had -thought that her overburdened brain had already solved the mysteries of -life! One evening she sat thus alone, pondering over all these questions -to which she could find no answer. - -The early dusk was descending slowly over one of autumn's last fine -days, and darkness was also rising out of the cold barren earth, meeting -the coming night half-way. - -The sky was covered by leaden clouds, dashed by streaks of glowing red, -where the sun resentfully opposed the grey shadows that strove to hide -him out of sight. The air was chilly and the very old woman shivered, -feeling forsaken and sad and useless. - -Over the sombre expanse that lay beyond, a faint mist mounted, like -fleecy wool, giving each object the appearance of floating over the -earth. The tents, the gypsies that moved about, the tethered horses, the -slinking dogs, all seemed to have lost their bases and to be floating in -the air. - -Zorka was weary, too tired to think. She was only allowing her mind to -wander slowly through the past. - -The fire, that young hands always built up beside her venerable grey -head, leapt and sprang like restless spirits eternally striving after -unattainable heights, casting fantastic lights upon her crouching form. -It was a picture of old age, in all its forlorn, colourless sadness, -from which all else has been taken except the weary comfort of looking -back. - -Zorka was remembering the distant years when she, too, had known wild -love and scorching hate; when the day had been a long smile of promise, -when for her also young hearts had beaten with passionate desire. - -She remembered many faces that rose like ghosts out of the past, calling -to her with long-forgotten voices that once she had loved. She -remembered hours of triumph when the ultimate dream of happiness had -arisen and wrapped her around with its burning flame. - -But she had also lived through the long deadly years when nothing more -was laid at her feet, when youth had carelessly trodden upon the heart -that once had seemed to others a treasure impossible to obtain. - -Past--past--all past; but forgotten? Dear God! ah no! But old age, weary -old age from which all flee, whose breath lies like white snow upon the -bended head, contains also the balm and benediction of a frosty peace -that resembles the face of the night, unstarred and moonless, covering -over the glaring joys and gloomy sorrows of yore! - -As she was thus wandering on distant shores of her youth, a shadow -crossed the space before her and she looked up. It took her a little -time before she could come back to cold reality, till her brain realized -that in truth she was now but Zorka the wise old witch. - -Eric stood at her side; the flames flared and hissed, covering him with -changing jets of light. - -Between his hands he held a finished picture. Zorka gave a low cry of -surprise, and rose trembling to her feet; there in the unsteady glow of -the restless flames she looked upon a face the like of which human hand -had never before fixed upon canvas or paper. - -The eyes of the painting seemed alive, and seemed to stare with -unspeakable rapture upon a sight too marvellous for poor human words to -translate into mortal language. There they were with all the -extraordinary beauty the hoary woman had always known: and more than -all, within these eyes the dreamer of dreams had put also another -expression which contained all the yearning cry of his own passionate, -hopeless love. - -For many a year old Zorka, the witch, had not shed a single tear--that -source of emotion had dried since ages past; but now as she gazed with -quivering emotion upon the glory of this unearthly visage she felt how -something rose up from her heart, warm and suffocating, clutching at her -strangled throat, till one by one warm drops ran down her furrowed -cheeks, leaving shining wet lines upon her leathery skin like little -streams of rain on hard-baked earth. - -Eric watched her, but never spoke a word; he stood motionless, his arms -hanging at his sides, tired and resigned, as one who can fight no more. - -Overhead the white falcon circled and circled, uttering small weird -shrieks like some one in pain; and as it moved about in the inky sky the -blue diamond round its neck shone like a moving star. - -"My son," spoke Zorka at last, "thy work is great and wonderful; and -truly it could never be said of one who had fashioned so blessed a -beauty that his life had been lived in vain. But I perceive that thy -human longing is for ever unstilled; and now some inner truth has broken -in upon my far-seeing brain, and these are the words I have to speak to -thee: - -"Go to the woman that thy heart loveth too well--go, for such is the -unwritten law of this earth; go and take her in thy living arms and -teach her with a kiss all the joy and all the sorrow of the world. And -what the great God above desires that the end should be is not for us, -who are but fashioned from His dust, to presume to foresee. Go, and I in -the silence of the night shall remain here to watch and pray!" - -Eric did as he was bid; laying the picture his hands had created down by -the side of the reader of signs, he silently vanished into the dark. - -The fire flared into a renewed burst of flame, and stretched out long -arms of red glowing light as if endeavouring to call him back. Then a -cold gust of wind swept over the waste and covered all around with -clouds of smoke. - - - - -XXIV - - A song of deathless Love, immortal, - Sunrise-haired and starry-eyed and wondrous. - - FIONA MACLEOD. - - -Within the tent where Stella lived each thing was sweet and pure. - -Her magic charm had spread over all she touched. - -Old Zorka had thus decreed that she should always have a dwelling that -need be shared with none. It was as poor a place as those around, but -within the folding walls was a haven of rest and peace. - -On its rustic canvas sides hung all the withered wreaths that day by day -she had worn. The one she had just removed from her tresses was still -quite fresh, and softly swayed over the door. - -Eric had found in the early morn, beneath a protecting tree, a whole -bunch of scarlet strawberry leaves that the autumnal frosts had not yet -touched; he had wound therefrom a lovely garland, all crimson and red, -that throughout the day had crowned the loved one's brow. - -A fire close by cast a friendly light through every crevice, so that the -humble dwelling looked warm and homely, in spite of its barren poorness -and the drear solitude upon which it stood. - -Before the wide-open entry sat the mysterious maiden on an ancient -wooden chest, her much-loved violin, as always, pressed tenderly beneath -her cheek. - -She played and played, and out of the darkness Fate was coming towards -her, treading with noiseless feet.... Still she played on, all else -forgotten or never even seen, tunes almost too sweet for human ear to -bear. But to-day there was something within them resembling the sighs of -a wandering soul that longs for what it cannot reach. - -Something there was that perhaps the cold night air wafted to her -sleeping soul--something that held a warning that the tides of life were -at last gradually rising to creep close to her heart, for she suddenly -laid down the faithful friend that would no more give forth the sounds -she was wont to hear. - -Each time she drew the bow across its melodious chords, the notes it -uttered were like the cry of a lost spirit in dire distress. - -So she sat gazing into the pitchy darkness with something unknown and -frightening, fluttering amidst the strings of her heart. And there out -of the shadows of the lonely night a human form rose and stood beside -her, with arms outstretched. Then Eric was on his knees before her, and -drew the slowly awakening maiden within the unbounded tenderness of his -yearning arms. - -The whole world seemed alive with a leaping promise of coming -fulfilment. - -And then, oh wonder of wonders, he laid his lips upon the heart of the -girl, the girl who would not look upon his face. - -And as he did so he perceived how an indescribable light of dawning -comprehension spread slowly over all her features, and awoke like two -luminous torches in both her eyes. - -Then at last her gaze met his ... twin flames of purest beauty, in -which, quite gradually, all the hidden treasures of unconceived -ecstasies rose one by one in an overwhelming flood too strong for human -strength to sustain. Awful, wonderful, terrifying ... and yet so sweet, -so sweet that no halting tongue could ever describe such marvellous -revelations. Almost imperceptibly she bent her angelic lips nearer his, -so that the vision of his dreams was all at once looking into his -upturned face, with eyes into which a God-given splendour had suddenly -come in a burst of passionate understanding. - -Never had the exquisite orbs been so sweet, never had the ethereal face -shone with a more divine light;--and a voice that seemed to come from -the far-off distances of the land of mystery pronounced these words: - -"Where have I been? To what regions have I come? What is this dazzling -splendour that rushes through my being like a leaping river of Life? -What is this dear face I see gazing into mine, what is this bounding joy -that wants to burst the confines of my overstrained heart? Oh what--oh -what does it mean?" - -Drawing herself up she stood, both hands pressed on her heaving breast, -as if her great pain were piercing her through and through. - -"What is it?... What is it?... What can it be? I do not understand!" - -Eric rose also, and stood trembling before this unheard-of miracle that -had come to pass. - -A great fear came to him and swept with a cold wind over his immensity -of joy. Would she suddenly close her mind again to his flaming love, now -that he had at last aroused her sleeping soul? - -"Oh, my love, my love!" he cried. "It is I, it is I, who have come over -the distant seas, who have travelled through sun and shade, through -storm and calm, who have passed through the Shadow of Death to reach the -heaven of thy face; look at me with thy awakening eyes, and tell me that -life is sweet." - -"Life!" said the girl, her two hands still tightly clutching at her -pulsing heart. - -"Life, what is Life?" - -"Life," cried Eric, "is contained in this one hour of perfect -attainment. Life is the great promise of love fulfilled. Life is the -sacred moment when my arms may clasp thee to my thirsting soul! - -"Come, my beloved, for I have waited so cruelly long, so tirelessly have -I searched and yearned!" - -Stella, moved by some unknown, mysterious force, timidly drew near to -this stranger man, whose face was as fair as the angels with whom in her -visions she had always dwelt. - -But what was this waking joy--this tumultuous tide of intensest bliss? -Something too strong, too strong, something that no living mortal could -bear.... And yet now she lay within his passionate arms, her head hidden -against his throbbing straining heart. - -In an agony of delight no words can describe, his lips, his warm living -lips, were drinking her very soul away--drawing by slow degrees her -sweet hardly-dawning life to mix with his boundless need. - -He knew that this was the ultimate limit of his soul's desire, a moment -of such incommensurable joy, that body and soul flowed together into a -sunrise of dazzling triumph. All that had been, was as if it had never -existed. Past, present, and future were caught up and welded together -into a blaze of unearthly rapture. - -He felt that he was being carried by the eternal wings of creation into -the very heart of the throbbing world; he was one with Nature, he was -one with God, one with his whole being's most sacred longing. And thus, -closely locked in each other's arms, these two mortals of perfect beauty -lived an hour that lies as a pulsing memory, deeply hidden within the -dark lap of the ever-wakeful Mother Earth, and from which it rose like a -song of undying, eternal perfection to the vastness of the sky above: a -song that now floats in never-ending echoes on every passing cloud, on -every ray of the sun. It was an hour when Nature stood still to listen -to the accomplishment of one of her dearest dreams--when all life seemed -concentrated within the happiness of those two frail human beings.... - -A cold streak of dawn was slowly advancing with pale furtiveness out of -the cover of night, when Eric bent once again to press his lips upon the -perfect mouth; as he did so Stella looked up into his face with those -eyes that had for so long been a living part of his most hidden self. - -Oh! was ever any earthly thing so marvellous, so wonderful, as those two -grey stars of light! and a sweet whisper rose stealing into every drop -of his blood: - -"I love thee, I love thee, as never have I loved a single one of my -heavenly dreams; I have learnt in this hour the most limitless -boundaries of human bliss. Lay now thy dear lips upon these eyes thou -hast found at last, so that no other sight than thy fond face may ever -trouble my inner vision. - -"Oh, see the day dawns; give me once more all thy bounding soul in the -blessing of thy kiss." - -Eric lifted the beloved woman and pressed her in a frenzy of joy to his -heart; then very gently laid his mouth upon her eyes, closing the -delicate lids, shutting away within her starry orbs the visage she loved -more than all else. - -Long did he remain thus holding her sweet face beneath his tender -caress, whilst a heavenly smile parted her gentle lips. - -And it seemed to Eric that at that moment his life and hers were flowing -quietly together in one great tide towards the shores of Eternity.... - -But when old Zorka came at the break of day to see how her dear ones -fared, she stood strangling a cry that rose in the air; then, throwing -herself upon the ground, she hid her grey head in the dust. - -There sat Eric with wandering gaze, his eyes wide open, full of frantic -misery, looking down upon a corpse he held pressed closely to his -beating heart. And through the gold of his shining locks, soft silver -threads were scattered like finely spun moonbeams entwined with the rays -of the sun. - -Zorka lifted her haggard face and stared in awe at the ghost-like pallor -of the girl. A wonderful light rested on her waxen features as she lay -full of peace and rest, white and motionless in the arms of her lover. - -Her eyes were closed as one who has shut her tired lids over a joy too -great for words, the vastness of which had burst asunder her human -heart. - - - - -XXV - - And thy first night of death - Belongs to our first sorrow.... - What knowledge now is thine? - A deeper one than ours. - - BARD OF THE DAMBOVITZA. - - -All day the dark men of the tribe had been building a coffin into which -the beautiful maiden was to be laid to rest. - -One and all were bowed with sorrow; this death was to them a horrible -unreality their simple minds could not grasp. Why was this creature of -light cut down in her sweetest prime? - -What would their lives now be without the glamour and mystery with which -she had filled their wandering day? - -The morning was bleak, and the rain fell in occasional showers that the -wind swept, with moaning sighs, over the naked waste. The canvas of the -tents flapped and creaked, straining against the poles and cords that -held them in place. - -A heavy gloom brooded over the wretched camp, so that even the -squabbling children spoke with bated breath. - -Within Stella's silent tent sat Eric of the golden locks, staring -without tears upon the face of the dead. The eyes of his dream looked -upon him no more; he had shut them for ever with the passion of his -kiss. Beneath his living lips she had breathed her last, dying like a -fading flower, scorched by the flame of his love! - -He had not known when she had passed away--only the growing chill he had -felt beneath his cheek had pierced his soul with a sudden fear, and when -he had called on her beloved name no answer had come in response. But -we shall draw a veil over that hour of morn when he realized what was to -be his fate. There are times of darkness and bottomless grief wherein -the eye of a stranger must never descend. This was the end--the end! -Hope was dead, life was a waste, and all had been but a passionate dream -that ended with a kiss! - -The wind swept over the humble tent, but upon her lowly couch Stella -still smiled the wise smile that removes the dead so far beyond the -reach of those who weep. - -Not far off sat Zorka, the witch, her head bent down upon her trembling -knees, whilst the storm played amongst the frosted wisps of her hair. -From all sides weird chants rose into the wintry air where the old -women, sitting round their blazing fire, were singing dirges for the -dead. - -And now came the moment when the black-eyed, black-haired sons of the -wild came to carry Stella to her last narrow bed. - -They had fashioned her a coffin with sides of shining copper the colour -of the autumn that had now passed away. Eric had to stand by and see how -they lifted the body he loved, and laid it, all rigid and small, within -the three sides of the metal box that received in unmoved silence this, -his faded dream. - -The gypsies had sullenly refused to let him carry her himself; they -jealously desired to have at least her inert body within their arms, -they who had never dared touch a single hair of her head. - -They did not know that she had died beneath the kiss of his lips, but -they somehow guessed that at the end he had awakened her sleeping soul; -and although they had dearly loved his beautiful face, Eric had always -been an alien in their midst, all shining and fair, a being of light -amongst their sombre race. - -Now she was dead--Stella was dead--the Luck of their tribe lay white -and cold in her last resting-place. Now she was theirs, and this son of -another clime must relinquish his right, and leave her pure perfection -between their dusky hands. - -So while they were carrying her from out her tent Eric wandered with -dragging feet into the forest where he had so often sat, painting her -lovely face. - -Now all the gold had fallen to the ground, the trees stood gaunt and -bare. Over his cruelly bowed head the branches stretched naked and grey; -from every twig large dropping tears fell splashing on the carpet of -faded leaves. - -Nowhere could he find the smallest plant or flower out of which to wind -her a final wreath the same as those she had always worn. In vain he -searched each sheltered corner; wherever he peered, all was dark and -dead, killed by the frost of the night. - -When he came back to where she lay, pale and still, all that he had to -bring to the woman he loved was a crown of thorns. These he pressed on -her snowy brow where they rested, sharp and hard, amongst her silky -tresses, so that verily she resembled a martyred queen upon the bier of -a beggar. - -In a circle around her coffin the gypsies had lighted blazing fires, and -now that their work was done they left the stranger standing in lonely -communion with that silent shape that never again would look upon the -light of day. - -As he knelt beside her lowly bed, his face hidden on the heart that beat -no more, a sound of wings came wafted upon the wind, and there, -fluttering above the lifeless maiden, was his trusted companion the -milk-white hawk, holding in its sharpened beak the chain with the -moon-coloured diamond. - -As Eric looked up with hopeless eyes, he saw how the beautiful creature -swooped down quite close, covering the lovely vision with its large soft -wings; and when it rose again, like foam against the darkening sky, -Gundian espied upon the heart of the maiden the magic diamond, shining -as if all her love were a last time bursting from her breast in mystic -rays of enchantment. - -Night came down and still Eric knelt beside his shattered happiness. All -about him the fires burned and crackled, and the dismal chants of the -gypsies rose like curses to the heavens. - -The wondrous face of the sleeper lived again in the glowing shine, but -Eric did not see this illusive light of life; when he looked up the -fires had burnt out; the gypsies had gone to rest. - -The night had laid its darkness over the frowning solitude; no star -shone in the sky; the only spot of brightness was the twinkling diamond -that glowed there on Stella's bosom, where Eric had awakened her soul -with his first burning kiss of love! - - - - -XXVI - - The grey wind weeps, the grey wind weeps, the grey wind weeps. Dust - on her breast, dust on her eyes, The grey wind weeps. - - FIONA MACLEOD. - - -Next day her grave was dug, there, upon that endless plain of silence. -Eric had strewn the gaping hole with a lining of withered leaves, -gathered from the weeping forest. - -Before they hid her marvellous face out of sight he had passionately -covered its mask of beauty with desperate burning kisses. Zorka had -stood close by, guarding him from hostile glances, so that this -heartbroken lover might be for a last time alone with what had been the -dream of his life. - -Then from his shoulders he took the torn black cloak he had worn during -all his wanderings and draped it round those rigid limbs that froze his -blood with their icy coldness. - -"Mother, dear old mother," he cried, "I want to keep her warm; the night -before last she glowed in the arms of my passion, and now I must leave -her to the chill mercy of the frozen ground. How can I bear such -torture?" - -Zorka laid her withered hand upon his shoulder. - -"Son, my son, I feel that no ice can harm her more--she looked upon the -flames of Love, and died whilst they were folded round her; she closed -her eyes upon the vision of thy burning worship, and that wonderful -sweetness was the last thing she saw; now she is for ever happy." - -So Eric wound her from head to foot in the dark folds of his mantle; he -hid away her white hands and her tiny feet. Then he pressed the wreath -of thorns over the dusky drapery, placing the gleaming gem in the centre -of her forehead. He fetched her dear violin and laid it so that her toes -just touched its polished wood. - -Over the shabby black tissue of the weather-beaten vestment he spread -the faded wreaths that once had rested upon her rippling hair. And after -one long look of farewell he allowed the heavy lid to be shut down on -his hard-won happiness. - -The damp earth was thrown with a hollow thud over the lid of the coffin, -the ground was beaten down smooth and flat on every side, so that no -wandering stranger should ever disturb her deep dark grave beneath its -covering of sombre soil. - -The gypsies folded their tents with hasty rapidity, longing to steal -away from a place where silence brooded amongst the whispering winds. - -Old Zorka came and stood upon the spot where her darling had been hidden -for ever away, and there she murmured all the prayers she could call -back to her flagging memory, whilst her streaming tears mixed with the -mould that lay over that past dream of beauty. - -But no persuasion nor entreaty could make Eric move from that dark mound -in the barren lonely wild; he meant to remain there that first night -when she had been confided to the indifferent shadows that closed in -around her. - -He promised Zorka he would follow next day, but this night he must lie -on Stella's cold grave, to protect it from the biting frost. - -When all had gone and he was alone on that dreary vastness, he drew from -its sheath his treasured sword and planted it like a cross, there where -her eyes must be hidden away, never more to look upon the rising sun. - -Dreary blasts of wind blew over the gloomy desert; darkness came down -and Eric stretched himself upon the frozen ground, his lips pressed upon -the spot where, far beneath the heavy covering of soil, her beautiful -mouth must have been. - -There he lay, forsaken, the only breathing being in that cruel night of -sorrow. But not far off, amongst the dim shadows of the forest, the -snowy falcon was faithfully watching, though the glinting light no -longer shone on his breast, watching till day should mercifully break. - -Through the heavy hours Eric never moved; he was fighting alone a dreary -battle against life and his God. Nor did he know, as his face lay hidden -in his clenched hands, that the magic hilt of the sword was glowing like -a shining promise far over the sleeping world. There it stood, a cross -of flame, burning with sacred light, watching over this desperate mortal -who longed to cast his life away. - -The wind howled with voices of terror and storm; the dust was whirled in -clouds from the frozen waste, sweeping over the cross-shaped light and -over the weeping man, trying to blot them out of sight. - -But deep down in eternal night, under the protecting arms of her lover, -rested Stella in stony quiet, bedded in the lap of old Mother Earth. - -Beneath her closed lids her starry eyes were for ever guarding the last -dear vision her waking brain had looked upon. - - - - -XXVII - - And in her two white hands like swans on a frozen lake, - Hath she not my heart, that I have hidden there for dear love's sake. - - FIONA MACLEOD. - - -Morning dawned, and Eric rose from the ground, half-frozen from his long -night's vigil, his eyes hollow, staring with a desperate look. - -The wan daylight was gradually spreading over the wilderness, on which -he stood like a wounded soldier whom his comrades had forsaken, -imagining he was dead. No, he was not dead, poor youth, he was alive, -crying, with broken heart and thirsting soul, for what could be no more. -He had lived his dream and shattered it all in one. Zorka had been -right, some flowers must not be plucked; and now his hands were -empty--empty. He himself had made the sweet petals fall, and no earthly -power could give them back their bloom. - -Down there under the dark cold sod she lay, his dream of dreams, crushed -by his passion and love. He had held his soul's desire pressed against -his wildly beating heart, and she had left him in their hour of rapture; -had died beneath the fire of his kiss. - -Once more he threw himself down upon the merciless earth that covered -her sacred beauty. He pressed his mouth upon the dust of the ground, -tracing the sign of the Cross with his lips, there where he guessed that -her snowy brow, her silent heart, and closed eyes lay hidden for ever -out of sight. - -Then kneeling before the cross-shaped sword, Eric prayed in words of -glowing entreaty to the great Father above, that her sleep should be -sweet and the earth soft to that body he loved, that the weight of the -dark mould that wrapped her round should not be heavy to her delicate -limbs. - -He cried to that silent brooding sky to be merciful towards that -creature of light and soon to call her from the damp dark grave to a -sunrise of glory and joy. - -"God! my God! it cannot be that Thou lettest her slumber for ever in -that cold solitude and I not knowing if her sleep be sweet. She who was -like a ray from the sun--she who carried within her orbs the whole glory -of the summer skies, the entire mystery of the starry nights. She whose -music was the most exquisite rendering of the beauty of life; she whose -perfection was the gladness of each awakening day, whose soul and body -were like the spotless snow of mountain heights where no human foot has -ever passed. O God! O God! how can I leave her grave?" And again he lay -there, stretched upon the relentless soil, groaning and shedding tears -of blood, whilst the brooding silence of the naked wild lay over all, -hostile and unheeding, with Nature's stony indifference to the sorrow -and anguish of the human race. - -Then at last he tore himself away, feeling how useless were his grief -and misery before those eternal laws of creation which for ever are, and -for ever shall be. - -Now he was fleeing that silent wilderness, bending his head against the -driving wind and rain, against the storm of dust and sand that the wild -gusts were throwing in his face. - -Several times he turned in hopeless yearning towards that lonesome spot -where his precious sword stood a lonely guardian of his lost happiness; -then, covering his face in an agony too deep for tears, on he rushed as -one who tries to escape from a sight he cannot bear. - -His faithful friend the hawk flew beside him, occasionally caressing -his tear-stained face with the velvet touch of its wings. - -For several hours he had thus fought his desperate way, when, on raising -his head, he saw a small cloud coming towards him out of the distance, -growing in size the nearer it came. - -He stood still, vaguely wondering what it might be, when out of the -midst of the moving dust a young boy emerged, driven along by the storm -that strove to carry him off his feet. - -The first thing Eric discerned was a high fur cap, a shaggy coat of -skins, into the wide sleeves of which the youth's hands had been deeply -thrust, whilst a thick staff was pressed in the hollow of his arm. -Behind this advancing figure came the pattering feet of innumerable -sheep, raising beneath their steps the thick cloud Eric had first of all -descried. - -Suddenly, with a glad cry, both youths ran towards each other with -joyful recognition, for this was none other than Radu, the shepherd, who -was leading his flocks home from the mountains, driven thence by the -coming winter. - -For a moment both remained speechless, hands clasped, staring into each -other's face that were wet and shining from the drizzling rain which had -not yet been able to turn into mud the thick coating of dust that lay -like powder on the roads. The one who spoke first was Radu, and it was -anxiously to ask: - -"Where hast thou left thy cloak? Thou art quite wet; and thy sword, thy -beautiful sword, where hast thou left thy sword?" - -Eric did not answer; he simply lifted both his hands, showing that they -were empty; then he let them fall again at his sides with the hopeless -gesture of one who has given everything up for ever more. Then only did -Radu come quite near and peer with frightened eyes more closely into his -face. - -"What is it?" he cried. "What is it? What hast thou seen?" - -"Heaven and Hell," answered Eric. "I have been in both!" - -"And thy dream--didst thou find thy dream?" whispered the peasant. - -"I found it and I lost it," was the answer he got. "It was mine for a -short hour of bliss--mine; but again God beat me down with my face to -the earth. - -"I have been a dreamer of dreams, and it is not to be given to me to -keep what I clasp. God allowed me visions to lead me ever on; they -brought me to this land of promise. - -"It was summer then; now thou seest what colour is over the earth. But I -touched my dream; I held it within my human arms; but as sayeth the -poet: 'How can the body touch the flower which only the spirit may -touch,' so I killed my flower, killed it with my kiss." - -"Can one kill with a kiss?" cried Radu, awe in his voice. - -"One can kill with more things than with a sword. I found the face of my -vision, I followed it step by step. I hunted it down with sighs and -tears till at last it was mine. I held it one short moment in my arms, a -moment within which I lived the ultimate triumph of my desire. Then it -was gone. I myself destroyed it, consumed it, with the thirst of my -soul!" - -"But was she happy?" queried Radu, with tears in his eyes. - -"Was she happy! Good God! was she happy!" cried Eric, clenching his -fists towards the skies. "Yes, I believe she was happy! If I did not -believe that I could not live. She said to me to kiss her eyes so that -for ever she could keep the picture of what she had loved best in this -world! At that moment she died! My warm touch of love was death! Canst -grasp that frightful truth?... was death! My lips, my lover's lips -closed her eyes for ever!... for ever ... over the vision of my face! - -"Before they laid her in the ground I wrapped her in my cloak; that is -why it is gone. I would not leave her thus thinly clad within the cold -shadow of her grave; and upon the spot where she lies I planted my -sword. There, where the eyes I followed so far are for ever closed, I -left my sword." - -"Oh," sobbed Radu, "and now I shall never see that face!" - -"Yes, thou shalt," answered his friend. "Come with me and thou shalt see -the fairest being God ever made!" - -"Where?" asked the astonished peasant, "where?" - -"Follow me and thou shalt know!" - -"But my sheep,--they are tired; and see how tame are my dogs, exhausted -by the length of the way." - -"It is not far from here--there thou canst rest; thou art not in a -hurry, and I would thou shouldst know the eyes of my dream." - -Again Eric hid his face in his clasped hands, whilst a harsh dry sob -rose to his throat. - -"Come, come! I, too, thirst for the sight of her face." - -Towards the evening the two lads arrived at the gypsies' camp. - -Along the dreary roadside several tall wooden crosses had been erected, -tall and gaunt, with curious shapes, decorated with archaic saints in -crudest colours. - -These weird crosses stood in a line like silent spectres, some bending -sideways, as if tired of their vigil. - -It was here that old Zorka had told Eric he would find their -halting-place. The fires had already been lit, the dark men and women -sat about in groups. The tents stood out, dismal shadows, against the -Western Bar. - -Eric holding Radu by the hand led him to where Zorka was cooking her -evening meal in a blackened pot. - -Radu's flock had followed pitter-patter in their wake, hardly -discernible in the dusk, their way-stained wool the colour of the ground -they trod. - -When she saw her favourite the old seer ran forward and clasped him to -her breast, anxiously scanning his haggard face, but saying never a word -for fear of awakening his surging grief. - -"Mother Zorka," he said, "here is a friend who has come to look upon her -face!" - -Zorka went to her tent, brought out the wonderful picture, and put it -into the peasant's hands. He stared at it in enraptured silence. Then -very slowly he laid it on the ground and knelt before it, making the -sign of the cross over his brow, the tears flowing down his cheeks. - -Zorka brought the boys food in a dish, urging her dear one to eat, but -Eric shook his head. - -"Mother Zorka, willst thou tend him and give him a bed? for he was good -to me when I was in sore distress." - -Then taking the picture he went off alone in the darkness of the night. -The wind howled, and the rain came down in heavier showers, beating upon -the miserable tents. - -Zorka sat with the young shepherd in the shelter of her dwelling, -looking out upon the darkness into which the lonely mourner had -disappeared. - -"Was she an angel?" asked Radu, who had finished his meal, and whose -face was still wet with tears. - -"I think she was," said Zorka, nodding her head. - -"Tell me," he continued, "why did she die?" - -"Why did she die?" repeated the tired old woman. "Because it is given to -some never to wake from their dream of bliss, and those it is said are -loved of the gods." - -"Why was he left alone? Do the gods not love him?" - -Zorka sighed: "Because some must learn to the bitter end to overcome all -they reach; must learn to leave behind them both joy and pain; to rise -above all their desires, and hopes, and fears, till their souls are as -pure and bright as an archangel's sword; and those are the chosen of -God." - -"But was she happy?" queried Radu, for the second time. - -"Yes," answered Zorka, with a solemn voice. "Yes, she was happy. She -died of joy." - - - - -XXVIII - - A star has ceased to shine in my lonely skies, - Sometimes I dream I see it shining in my heart. - - FIONA MACLEOD. - - -Zorka could not bear to part from Eric of the golden locks, and begged -him to remain at her side. - -He, too, for a while felt that he dared not leave the old woman who had -led him to his love; so all that winter he wandered about with the -travelling clan, from clime to clime, leaving far behind him the country -of his dream. Wherever he went the falcon followed, flying as near his -head as it could. - -Radu had parted from Eric with tears in his eyes; both boys felt as they -joined hands for the last time that nothing could wipe out the deep -affection they had conceived for each other. - -Radu had gone off on an endless road, playing a melancholy tune on his -wooden flute, his flock following him, his cowed dogs at his heels, his -feet splashing about in the mud, the patient sheep leaving thousands of -small footprints wherever they passed. - -But Eric played no more, neither did he sing; and over the gold of his -locks the silver began to spread more and more, like foam on the sea. - -Wherever he stopped he bought canvas and paint, but each of his pictures -showed always but the one and only face. - -He painted the features of his dream in every form his heart could -remember. - -He represented her as first he had seen her, crowned with a wreath of -bells, her old violin pressed under her cheek, her eyes full of the -visions she alone could see. He painted her seated in the dust of the -road with a circle of corn-ears round her delicate brow. He conjured up -her beauty against the setting sun, whilst the coronet she wore was of -autumn leaves all glowing as the blazing sky. - -One of his sketches showed her shimmering and pale, lit by the rays of -the moon, and this time it was a halo he had painted round the pureness -of her heavenly face. - -And once his restless fingers had created the picture of her marble -features as she lay motionless on her bier, her face still and white -under the brooding clouds, with the crown of thorns on her head, her -wonderful eyes closed beneath the heavy lids, a smile of peace and -happiness hovering like a blessing over her lips. - -But one picture alone no human eye but his was ever allowed to see; on -that one he had awakened, for a second and last time, the look her eyes -had borne when he had closed them with his lips. - -This sketch he kept jealously hidden beneath all the others, and it was -never shown--not even Zorka had the right to cast a glance upon that -expression which was too holy for mortal to look upon. - -One of his pictures he had given to Zorka in sign of gratitude. It -represented the lost Luck of the wandering tribe. She stood on a lonely -plain, her hands joined behind her back, her eyes looking straight -before her, her head slightly raised as if listening for the coming of a -being she could not see. - -A marvellous picture of unearthly beauty before which the old -fortune-teller daily said her curious prayers, prayers to a God who had -no form, but who lived in every breath of the wind, and who filled her -weary old soul with the hope of coming peace. - -They wandered slowly from land to land, amidst scenes of beauty, and -often also through countries bleak and joyless; but the heart of the -painter was always yearning for a far-off desolate plain where he had -planted his shining sword over the face of his love. - -When at night he closed his lids over his eyes heavy with unshed tears, -that wilderness always rose before him, cold and lonely, filling him -with a haunting dread that the sword might be slowly descending to -pierce her innocent heart. That vision would suddenly awake him out of -his sleep, and horror would stand at the foot of his wretched bed, till -he could bear it no more and would rush wildly out into the night. - -Zorka knew all his suffering, and bowed her head always lower to the -ground. - -When spring was covering the earth with a new smile of youth, Zorka felt -that the moment she dreaded had come, and that the loved wanderer would -soon leave her to go his way. - -She had heard him speak of a wonderful picture he was one day to finish -in the palace of a mighty king. With her seer's certainty she knew that -the time was close at hand--had he not found the face of love,--and -slowly the desire must strengthen within him to terminate the work he -had begun. - -She accepted the coming of this final suffering as one who knows that -her days are surely numbered. - -One morning Eric Gundian, the last joy of her eyes, stood tall and slim -before her dimmed sight. - -"Mother Zorka, I feel I must go. I thank thee for all thy bounteous -kindness, and I want thy blessing as once the dear master gave me his!" - -He knelt down as a little child might have done, and laid the frosted -gold of his locks amongst the folds of her earth-coloured rags. She -placed her trembling hands upon his head and raised her quavering voice: - -"Go in peace, my loved one, take up thy burden and finish thy great -work; it is thy duty to return to the kingly master who loved thee so -well, and when thy pain seems too heavy to bear, remember these words of -old Zorka the witch. - -"Those who die of happiness are blessed, but thrice blessed is the man -who carries without complaint the burden of his broken heart. Thou hast -known the sublimest fulfilment of joy. Be for ever grateful for that -hour of bliss, and remember that she died at the moment of attainment, -which is given to so few; therefore do not mourn as if her lot had been -cruel. There are others who fall before winning the race; thou hast -known what it is to reach thy goal; so, thou must not weep. Go, and -carry joy with thee wherever thou treadest, because thou art a Chosen of -God. It is I, the old seer, who thus does speak." - -She bent low over him and pressed her quivering lips to the silver -threads in his hair; then he rose, and stood with his head thrown back, -his arms reaching up towards the vault of blue, as one who longs to be -received within the far-off clouds. - -"But, Mother Zorka, I can sing no more; God has drowned my voice in a -sea of tears!" - -"My son, thou hast thy wonderful art. Go and live amongst those who -believe in thee. Thou hast a great work to complete, and the face of thy -love shall shine for ever upon the generations to come. This thou canst -still do for her memory's sake, and that power is given to few. - -"There was a time when I believed I ought to guard our beautiful Stella -from all touch of mortal love; but now I know that thus it is best. Each -human being must fulfil his destiny, and Stella's destiny was to be the -realization of thy dream. - -"The days of each man's life are counted, and not any of our poor -knowledge can add an hour to the length of time Fate has decreed we -should live. - -"Thou didst not kill her with thy kiss; she lived as a flower from some -unknown land, yielding her sweet perfume to but one single being; then -God took her for His own, and thus her life was to end. Cry not out -against what had to be. Go thy way, and one day perhaps thou wilt know -the meaning which now our mortal mind cannot fathom. My blessing is with -thee. Go in peace." - -And that day Eric Gundian left the dark wandering people and old Zorka -the witch. - -When he had reached the crest of a hill he turned round and waved to the -trembling old woman who had been so faithful a friend. - -Over his head his inseparable companion fluttered like a snow-white sail -caught by the wind. - -Zorka stood leaning on her crooked staff, her hand raised to protect her -eyes, that were blinded with tears, against the glare of the rising sun. - -She stood watching the departing youth she had so dearly loved, and it -seemed to her that he walked away from her straight into the glittering -sky. - - - - -XXIX - - -Spring in all its beauty was covering the world with blossoms pink and -white. Within the tender sprouting grass pale anemones were raising -their delicate faces to peep at the radiant sun. Humble sweet-smelling -violets covered the lawns with a carpet of richest hue. Everywhere the -birds were singing hymns of praise to the sweet resurrection of life and -joy. The larks were for ever mounting into the sky in eternal adoration -of the shining sun. - -A haze of green was beginning to spread over the awakening woods, and -innumerable flowers were pushing out their tiny heads from beneath the -thick carpet of fallen leaves. Over all lay a sweet hush of promise, -timid yet spreading far and wide. - -King Wanda sat upon his marble terrace basking in the first warmth of -the season. Close beside him was Oona in a new dress of gold, a -marvellous book upon her knees containing pictures in glowing colours, -relating of fairies, both good and bad. She piped away with sweet clear -voice, explaining all the wonders she saw; but King Wanda sat with a -frown on his brow; nothing seemed to bring a smile to his lips; he had -become morose and silent, and vainly his courtiers had tried to replace -the favourite who had so suddenly left him long ago. - -[Illustration: King Wanda sat upon his marble terrace basking in the -first warmth of the season.] - -King Wanda could find no joy since that day when Eric Gundian, the mad -painter, had gone from his palace in search of his dream. He had given -up all hope of seeing him again, although many a night he lay tossing -upon his kingly couch, harking if he could not discern some sound of the -step that once he had loved. - -Other painters had proposed to finish the frieze in the beautiful hall, -but sternly the King had repressed their zeal. He himself kept the keys -of that now silent chamber, and none save himself had entry through -those massive doors. He raised his head as some one came towards him -over the sunlit terrace. It was a page, and this was the news he -brought. Outside the palace doors a stranger was standing in the garb of -a beggar, demanding admittance, saying he had come to do King Wanda's -bidding, and entreating to be allowed to speak to the master himself. - -"He is all travel-stained," said the page, "and upon his back he carries -a load wrapped in a cloth. His feet are bare, his head uncovered, his -clothes all torn and soiled; within his hands he bears a staff wrought -with unknown designs. The hair on his head is long and covered with -dust, and his eyes are horribly sad; most strange of all, upon the -beggar's shoulder a curious bird is quietly seated. In truth the man -seems to have come from the end of the earth." - -"I will have word with him," said the King, "as it is his desire to talk -with me. Am I not here for all those who call at my door? None, it shall -be said, go unconsoled or are sent away without receiving their heart's -desire." - -Now the tattered traveller was standing upon the terrace before the -presence of the King. His load had been laid upon the marble floor. The -white bird sat motionless upon his shoulder, like a ghost in a dream. -The rays of the sun shone upon his bent head, and as they lit on the -long locks of the stranger's hair, making them sparkle and flash in the -light, King Wanda gave a sudden cry, clutching at his heart. Then he -sprang forward, and all the courtiers were witness of an astounding -sight: a beggar lying against the heart of their King, who was sobbing -as if his heart would break! - -And then Eric was on his knees, his head hidden in the hands of the good -old King he had left to wander so far away. He was telling the crowned -man that he had come back to finish the picture he had once begun, -because now he knew what was the face of the woman who sat on the golden -throne. - -"Give me leave, O most royal master, to complete the work of my hands; -but let me tell thee that Eric Gundian, thy singing-bird, died one early -morn under an alien sky at the break of day--it is only his spirit that -has come to thee, because the Dreamer of Dreams has a last great wish to -paint the face of love upon thy gilded walls!" - -So the King himself led the weary wanderer into his gorgeous hall, -unlocking the heavy door with the key that hung from his waist. - -Like a soft white cloud the falcon glided into the room before them, -settling upon the tall stone fire-place, whence it watched the strangely -assorted couple. - -When alone together, for the first time Eric of the golden locks raised -his haggard face and looked straight into the eyes of the King. - -The old man felt as though a dagger were piercing his heart when he met -that hopeless gaze. Certainly those were the features of the boy he had -loved, but oh, what was it he had gone through to be so cruelly changed? -His cheeks were hollow, the sunken orbs stared with a far-away look too -sad for the language of men, and his golden hair was covered with a fine -web of silver that lay like an early frost over a ripe field of corn. - -Long did King Wanda stand mute, not finding a word; he felt that he -stood in presence of a grief so deep that he dared not come too near. It -was Eric who spoke: - -"May I remain within thy palace, O King, to complete the work that once -I began? I feel that now I can verily put the finishing touches to a -picture that in ages past was the pride of my painter's art. - -"And above all, I crave thy pardon for having left thee on that summer's -morn so long ago. It must have seemed as if I were void of both -gratitude and love, but it was not thus. - -"I have wandered far, and have returned from the regions of dreams to -fulfil the task that thou didst once demand of me, so that thy belief in -Eric Gundian should not have been in vain! I see by thy look, O most -royal master, that still thou dost trust in me." - -"May the completing of thy work bring peace to thy heart!" was the -King's reply; and once more he drew the dusty wayfarer within his -fatherly arms. Within a few days Eric was again established in his old -place, working with all his soul. - -King Wanda had given orders that he should be left entirely undisturbed; -and there he painted from early morn as long as the daylight lasted. -Even King Wanda dared not trouble his peace--he had a feeling that this -work was being done with a love that no stranger's eye should watch. - -Indeed, it was with his very life's blood that the painter was now -completing his masterpiece; he felt that each day he was giving some of -his strength--that little by little his force was going with each fresh -stroke of his brush. - -At times his face was corpse-like, as one no more of this earth. - -Once little Oona had peeped through an opening in the window-curtain, -and had then run quickly back, with a feeling that she had seen a ghost. - -But the face that Eric was creating upon King Wanda's wall was of a -beauty no words can describe. - -The woman on the throne, with the golden dress that flowed down like a -river seen at sunset, was leaning slightly forward, her eyes looking -away over the heads of the crowd that was calling upon her name in -praise. - -She seemed to see no one; but other visions more beautiful than earthly -eyes could conceive filled her gaze. The two palms of her hands were -pressed down at her side in a strained attitude, as one who is half -afraid, or perhaps awakening to some astounding knowledge. - -But her eyes was the spot within which Eric Gundian had concentrated all -his inimitable art: they were the most marvellous wells of light and -shade that had ever been painted by mortal hand. - -They were a mighty realization of his eternal dream--that dream that had -led him through distant countries and deadly dangers to the very fount -of love. Eric now lived only sustained by his feverish desire to leave -those eyes, he had so loved, for ever upon that frieze that would be a -living incorporation of his one great aim. - -But behind those shut doors he was wasting away; he was but a spirit -whose body was an overcome burden, living by the soul alone, only a -breath of that human life he had spent in the eternal effort to reach -his glorious dream. Near by sat the snow-white hawk, who would never -leave his side except for short moments when Eric opened the window, -upon the beauties of spring, letting the bird out to search for its -daily food. - -Eric himself seemed to dread the light of the sun; neither would he eat -of the royal dishes that were brought him; he sipped from time to time -a little water, otherwise he lived sustained by the love of his work. - -Eric Gundian--Eric of the golden locks--was now but a wavering breath, -kept alive by the desire to finish his wonderful picture. - -One morning, when all had been stiller than usual behind those silent -walls, King Wanda, with anxious face, opened the heavy door--and there, -upon the ground, stretched all his length before his finished -masterpiece, lay Eric Gundian, the dreamer of dreams, his wet brush -still clasped in his hand. - -Near him, as always, sat the strange white bird watchfully motionless, -but this time there were actually tears in its piercing eyes. - -The lids of the dreamer were closed for ever, as one, dead-tired, who -mercifully has found rest at last.... - -But on the golden throne of the picture sat a woman more beautiful than -any brain can conceive,--within the expression of her eyes lay a world -of joy and sorrow, that had blended into a look of unearthly glory -impossible to describe. - -King Wanda stood staring, unable to move, overcome with a sorrow too -deep for words; yet he had the feeling that whoso had been able to -accomplish such a miracle could only die at the moment of attainment, -because such a marvel must verily be paid for by the life of the one who -thus was allowed to create it. - -All the courtiers now came trooping together and stood in awe behind -their King, staring and whispering, hushed by the dark mystery they -could not understand. - -Then a murmur went from lip to lip. - -"Oh, why has the marvellous woman a crown of thorns upon her head? Why, -oh why did he paint the face of Love crowned with a wreath of thorns?" - -King Wanda bowed his weary head: then he knelt on the floor and kissed -the brow of the favourite he had loved so well--and, looking into that -pale and silent face, he thought he understood what the Dreamer had -meant when, with the last touch of his brush, he had crowned Love's -immaculate visage with a wreath of thorns. - - - - -XXX - - And Beauty, Peace, and Sorrow are dreams within dreams. - - FIONA MACLEOD. - - -In a distant land Spring was also spreading over hill and dale. - -But on a bare plain, where nothing grew, a miracle had come to pass: a -peasant, returning home one starry night, had espied, from the road upon -which he was slowly sauntering, a strange light in the form of a cross, -gleaming far over the barren waste. - -Full of astonishment he had run to the spot, and there he had discerned -a magic crystal, all charged with radiance, in the shape before which -every Christian bends the knee. And the most curious of all, this -burning cross was the hilt of a glistening sword which must have dropped -from heaven, to remain thus firmly planted in the ground. - -Awed and filled with wonder the youth had spread the astounding news -from village to village, and all the simple folk had run together, -falling down in worship before this miraculous sign, which God had put -in so desert a place, as a blessing on the land. - -From far and wide, rich and poor, old and young, men, women, and -children came in pilgrimage to that holy site. - -None ever knew, except one humble little peasant, from whence the cross -had come. - -But Radu, the shepherd, held his peace, thanking the Kind Mother of -Christ for having thus ordained that so many pious believers should go -and pray on the grave where the dreamer of dreams had buried his love. - -One morning when the warm rays of the sun were lying like a blessing -over the deserted waste, a white bird might have been seen descending -out of the blue. - -It hovered for a time over the gleaming sword, circling very slowly, so -that its outspread wings resembled a snowy cloud floating in the air. - -Then down it swooped out of the heavens, there, where Stella lay beneath -the dark heavy mould. Within its beak this unknown bird was holding a -simple seed, which it dropped on the very spot where the dead girl's -heart rested under the sod--a seed it had carried from a distant land of -the north from the tenderly tended grave in a great king's garden. -Hardly had the seed touched the barren earth than it sprang up and -spread all over the tomb a thick network of rambling thorns covered with -countless roses--as crimson as the broken heart of a lover. - -And these roses bloomed, even in the winter months, upon the icy -covering of snow, red as the reddest blood, till all the simple folk -declared that indeed the place was Holy Ground. - -And thus it was that God blessed the Love of him who once had been -called Eric Gundian, the Dreamer of Dreams. - - -THE END - - -_Printed in Great Britain by_ R. & R. CLARK, LIMITED, _Edinburgh_. - - * * * * * - -THE LILY OF LIFE - -A FAIRY STORY - -BY THE - -QUEEN OF ROUMANIA - -WITH ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOUR BY HELEN STRATTON - - -"A graceful and charming work of fancy.... To every imaginative child it -will prove a rich delight."--_Daily Telegraph._ - -"It is distinctly a book to possess and delight in. The few words of -preface contributed by 'Carmen Sylva' are an appreciation, expressed -with true felicity, of the charm of this prose poem, and the illustrator -has caught its spirit admirably."--_World._ - -"A noble picture-book. A graceful and poetic tale marked by real talent, -and not a few touches of genuine feeling. Miss Stratton's pictures are -very clever and effective."--_Guardian._ - -"Great beauty pervades it all, and every situation is so entirely -picturesque. All readers of fairy lore will find it true and -beautiful.... The illustrations are delightful."--_Daily Express._ - -"Graceful fancy, elevated sentiment, and simple but dignified expression -ensure a high place among the fairy tales of the publishing year for the -Queen of Roumania's charming work, _The Lily of Life_.... The merit of -the telling is unusual, and it has the further advantage of being -presented in an exceedingly handsome and artistic form. The coloured -illustrations of Miss Helen Stratton show graceful drawing and fine -gradations of tone. They are not merely a pictorial summary of the -story, but genuine works of art, and a distinctive feature of the -volume."--_Scotsman._ - -"A tale of great beauty.... The author shows considerable powers of -imagination and direct expression."--_Spectator._ - -"The story is beautiful in its conception, and floats from incident to -incident in the wondrous glamour of that atmosphere of fairyland so dear -to the hearts of little readers.... The illustrations in conception, -drawing, and reproduction are in perfect harmony with the beauty of the -story and the volume."--_Northern Whig._ - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DREAMER OF DREAMS*** - - -******* This file should be named 40950.txt or 40950.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/4/0/9/5/40950 - - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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