thing, but in such a way that there was none like to her for those
that had eyes to behold her as she was; and none could ever be made
like to her, even by such a master-craftsman as could fashion a body
without a blemish.

She was clad in a white smock, whose hems were broidered with gold
wire and precious gems of the Mountains, and over that a gown woven
of gold and silver: scarce hath the world such another. On her head
was a fillet of gold and gems, and there were wondrous gold rings on
her arms: her feet lay bare on the dark grey wolf-skin that was
stretched before her.

She smiled kindly upon his solemn and troubled face, and her voice
sounded strangely familiar to him coming from all that loveliness, as
she said: 'Hail, Face-of-god! here am I left alone, although I
deemed last night that I should be gone with the others. Therefore
am I fain to show myself to thee in fairer array than yesternight;
for though we dwell in the wild-wood, from the solace of folk, yet
are we not of thralls' blood. But come now, I bid thee break thy
fast and talk with me a little while; and then shalt thou depart in
peace.'

Spake Face-of-god, and his voice trembled as he spake: 'What art
thou? Last night I deemed at whiles once and again that thou wert of
the Gods; and now that I behold thee thus, and it is broad daylight,
and of those others is no more to be seen than if they had never
lived, I cannot but deem that it is even so, and that thou comest
from the City that shall never perish. Now if thou be a goddess, I
have nought to pray thee, save to slay me speedily if thou hast a
mind for my death. But if thou art a woman--'