At length we were gladdened by a glimmer of light ahead of us, which
increased until our path was all illumined with a beautiful soft haze.
Soon the way broadened and grew still brighter, and then we were led forth
into an open street, which seemed to be part of a small village. There
were but few houses, and even these, although they showed signs of a
former grandeur, were sadly in need of care. Not a creature of any kind
was stirring, and in our hasty review the whole place looked as if it
might have been deserted by its inhabitants for a hundred years. There was
one spot, however, so retired as to be entirely hidden from our view at
first, which had anything but a deserted appearance. The house was small,
but it was a perfect bower of beauty, half-concealed with a mass of
flowers and vines. Here our journey ended, for our guide led us to the
door and, entering, turned and invited us to follow her.

The doctor and I were tired enough to accept with eagerness her
hospitality, and soon we were all seated in a pleasant room, which was
filled with the evidences of a refined taste. Now we had a much better
opportunity to observe the resplendent beauty of our new friend, and we
found, also, that her manners were as captivating as her other personal
qualities. At intervals, all through our long walk, her song had ceased
and we expected she would make some attempt to speak to us; but being
disappointed in this, it struck me after we had entered the house that I
ought to end the embarrassment by addressing her. The circumstances of our
meeting were peculiar, to say the least, and, of all the thousand things I
might have appropriately said, nothing could have been more meaningless or
have better shown the vacant condition of my mind than the words I chose.

"It's a fine day," I said, looking square in her eyes and trying to speak
pleasantly.