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They were ruddy, handsoirls, with scarcely a pin's point

of difference between them They had brown eyes, brown loose hair, the

bloom of healthy blood on their skin One was hed rather less than the other; it was not

noticeable Isoult, with sleepy eyes, regarded theuidly, half

awake They sat on either side of her; each clasped a knee with her

two hands; both watched her Then the elder with a little laugh shook

her hair back from her shoulders, stooped quickly forward, and kissed

her Isoult sat up

"Oh, who are you?" she wondered

"I airl

"I aher

"Do you live here?"

"Yes"

"Is this Thornyhold?"

"Thornyhold Brush is very near"

"Will you take me? I am to wait there"

"Come, sister"

Belvisée helped her up by the hand When she was afoot Mellifont

caught her other hand and kissed her in her turn--a glad and friendly

little embrace Friends indeed they looked as they stood hand-linked

in the fern All three were of a height, Isoult a shade shorter than

the sisters

She contrasted her attire with theirs; her own so ceremonious, theirs,

what there was of it, sireen

flax, cut at a slant, which left one shoulder and breast bare, was

looped on to the other shoulder, and caught at the waist by a leather

strap It bagged over the belt, and below it fell to brush the knees

Ars, and feet were bare and brown Visibly they wore nothing