The music was
elusive, seeming to come first from one side, then from the
other, but finally I tracked it as a bee does a flower by the
scent, to the gate of the royal garden - the pleasure place of
the dead Emperors.
The gate stood ajar - strange! for I had seen the custodian close
it that evening. Now it stood wide and I went in, walking
noiselessly over the dewy grass. I knew and could not tell how,
that I must be noiseless. Passing as if I were guided, down the
course of the strong young river, I came to the pavilion that
spanned it - the place where we had stood that afternoon - and
there to my profound amazement, I saw Vanna, leaning against a
slight wooden pillar. As if she had expected me, she laid one
finger on her lip, and stretching out her hand, took mine and
drew me beside her as a mother might a child. And instantly I
saw!
On the further bank a young man in a strange diadem or miter of
jewels, bare-breasted and beautiful, stood among the flowering
oleanders, one foot lightly crossed over the other as he stood.
He was like an image of pale radiant gold, and I could have sworn
that the light came from within rather than fell upon him, for
the night was very dark.
Pages:
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178