two-edged bliss which makes a heaven or a hell of earth--of earth,
which owes its very existence to love.

I do not mean that Mary was in love, but that she had met, and for the
first time felt the touch, yes even the subtle, unconscious,
dominating force so sweet to woman, of the man she could love, and had
known the rarest throb that pulses in that choicest of all God's
perfect handiwork--a woman's heart--the throb that goes before--the
John, the Baptist, as it were, of coming love.

It being after midnight, Mary filled two cups of wine, from each of
which she took a sip, and handed them to Brandon and me. She then paid
me the ten crowns, very soberly thanked us and said we were at liberty
to go.

The only words Brandon ever spoke concerning that evening were just as
we retired:

"Jesu! she is perfect. But you were wrong, Caskoden. I can still
thank God I am not in love with her. I would fall upon my sword if I
were."

I was upon the point of telling him she had never treated any other
man as she had treated him, but I thought best to leave it unsaid.
Trouble was apt to come of its own accord soon enough.

In truth, I may as well tell you, that when the princess asked me to
bring Brandon to her that she might have a little sport at his
expense, she looked for a laugh, but found a sigh.