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The ht with her soft splendour when Beltane, co there, paused to breathe the sweet perfuht in hirew, bitterness and anger were forgot Very still was it within this sheltered garden, where, fraught by the s did seem to find them added beauties

But, even as he paused thus, he heard a step approaching, a ht yet assured, and he beheld one shrouded in a long cloak of blue, a tall figure that hasted through the garden and vanished behind the tall yew hedge

Down sprang Beltane fierce-eyed, tra the tender flowers under cruel feet, and as he in turn passed behind the hedge the er blade Quick and soft of foot went he until, beholding a faint light amid the leaves, he paused, then hasted on and thus calantine

She sat at a table where burned a rushlight that glowed a the splendour of her hair, for her head was bowed above the letter she riting

Now as he stood regarding her 'neath frowning brows, she spake, yet lifted not her shapely head

"Well, my lord?"

"Helen, where is he that ca white hands 'neath dientleness

"Nay, first put up thy dagger, rier,he obeyed, and came a pace nearer

"What do you here with pen and ink-horn?"

"My lord, I write"

"To whom?"

"To such as it pleaseth me"

"I pray you--show me"

"Nay, for that doth not please me, messire"

"I pray you, as he that ca blue cloak?"

"I saw him not, my lord"

"So needs must I see thy letter"

"Nay, that thou shalt not, ht

"Aye, but I shall!" quoth Beltane softly, and cari, yet she fronted him scornful-eyed, and curled her red lip at hiet I am the--"

"I rehed she softly and thereafter falleth to singing very sweet and blithe and merry withal