thrown itself across the stone effigy in an attempt to reach some
of its neighbours on the opposite side. Robin followed her gaze
with his own, and for a moment was more than usually impressed by
the calm, almost stern dignity of the recumbent figure.

"Go on," he said--"What were the words?"

"These"--and Innocent spoke them in a hushed voice, with sweet
reverence and feeling--"'Tonight I pull down and put away for ever
the golden banner of my life's ideal. It has been held aloft too
long in the sunshine of a dream, and the lily broidered on its web
is but a withered flower. My life is no longer of use to myself,
but as a man and faithful knight I will make it serve another's
pleasure and another's good. And because this good and simple girl
doth truly love me, though her love was none of my seeking, I will
give her her heart's desire, though mine own heart's desire shall
never be accomplished,--I will make her my wife, and will be to
her a true and loyal husband, so that she may receive from me all
she craves of happiness and peace. For though I fain would die
rather than wed, I know that life is not given to a man to live
selfishly, nor is God satisfied to have it wasted by any one who
hath sworn to be His knight and servant. Therefore even so let it
be!--I give all my unvalued existence to her who doth consider it
valuable, and with all my soul I pray that I may make so gentle
and trustful a creature happy. But to Love--oh, to Love a long
farewell!--farewell my dreams!--farewell ambition!--farewell the
glory of the vision unattainable!--farewell bright splendour of an
earthly Paradise!--for now I enter that prison which shall hold me
fast till death release me! Close, doors!--fasten, locks!--be
patient in thy silent solitude, my Soul!'"