But the Queen of Hearts, in a rose-red robe, sat silent in the shadow of
her secret bower, and listened to the great uproarious sound of music
and mirth, that came floating towards her. She shut her eyes, and
dreamt her dream of lore. And when she opened them she found the Prince
seated on the ground before her gazing up at her face. And she covered
her eyes with both hands, and shrank back quivering with an inward
tumult of joy.
And the Prince passed the whole day alone, walking by the side of the
surging sea. He carried in his mind that startled look, that shrinking
gesture of the Queen, and his heart beat high with hope.
That night the serried, gaily-dressed ranks of young men and maidens
waited with smiling faces at the Palace Gates. The Palace Hall was
lighted with fairy lamps and festooned with the flowers of spring.
Slowly the Queen of Hearts entered, and the whole assembly rose to greet
her. With a jasmine garland in her hand, she stood before the Prince
with downcast eyes. In her lowly bashfulness she could hardly raise the
garland to the neck of the Mate she had chosen.
Pages:
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111