for the sake of the favor I have shown you and the vision I saw
concerning you in the crystal."

I stooped and kissed her hand, which was burning hot--a thin little hand,
with long, supple fingers which bent in one's grasp.

"The man who would pretend to such a thing is dead even as he speaks,"
said I; and I meant it fully.

"I thank you--it is well," she answered, leading me in. "I only desired
that you should not misjudge me."

"That could I never do if I would," I made her answer. "Here my every
thought is reverence as in the oratory of a saint."

She smiled a strange smile.

"Mayhap that is rather more than I desire," she said. "Say rather in the
maiden bower of a woman who knows well whom she may trust."

Again I kissed her hand for the correction. And, as I remembered
afterwards, it was at that hour that the little Princess Playmate was
used to look within my chamber to see that all was ready for me.

And, had I known it, even that night she stooped over and kissed the
pillow where my head was to lie.

"Dear love!" she was used to say.

Alas that I heard it not then!