Suddenly he was startled by a laugh so near him and so soft that he
believed himself to be dreaming, but he looked round and quickly rose to
his feet, and there at the other side of the tree he saw standing the
ethereal figure of a girl, while her filmy gray garments seemed to melt
into the night.
"Halcyone!" he gasped. "And from where?"
"Ah!" she said as she came towards him. "You have invaded my kingdom.
Mortal, what right have you to the things of the night? They belong to
me--who know them and love them."
"Then have compassion upon me, sweet dryad!" he pleaded, "who am but a
pilgrim who cannot see his way. Let me shelter under your protection and
be guided aright."
She laughed again--a ripple of silver that he had not guessed her voice
possessed. Her whole bearing was changed from the reserved, demure and
rather timid creature whom he knew. She was a sprite now, or a nymph, or
even a goddess, for her brow was imperious and her mien one of assured
command.
"This is my kingdom," she said, "and if you obey me, I will show you
things of which you have never dreamed--" and then she came towards the
tree and sat upon the high forked branch of the broken bough while she
pointed with shadowy finger to the part which was a bench.
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