told thee hereof, Birdalone, because I deem that thou hast lived
simply and without the sight of men; but it is what all know in the
world of the sons of Adam. Said Birdalone: Thou sayest sooth
concerning me. Yet about this love have I learned somewhat even ere
to-day, and now, as ye speak and I, meseems the lore of it comes
pouring in on me and fills my heart with its sweetness. And O, to
have such love from any, and with such love to be loved withal!

Dear sister, said little Viridis, fear not; such as thou shall not
fail of the love of some man whom thou must needs love. Is it not
so, sister Atra? Said Atra: Yea; such love shall come unto her as
surely as death.

They were silent now a little, and it was as if some sweet incense
had been burned within the chamber. For Birdalone the colour came
and went in her cheeks, her flesh quaked, her heart beat quick, and
she was oppressed by the sweetness of longing. More daintily she
moved her limbs, and laid foot to foot and felt the sleekness of her
sides; and tender she was of her body as of that which should one day
be so sorely loved.

Now she spake timidly to the others, and said: Each one of you then
has a man who loves her, and longs for her and for none else? So it
is, said Viridis. How sweet that shall be! said Birdalone; and now
all the more I wonder that ye could trouble yourselves over me, or
think of me once; and the kinder I think it of you.

Said Atra smiling on her: Nay, now must the cat be out of the bag,
and I must tell thee that thou art to think of us as chapmen who with
our kindness would buy something of thee, to wit, that thou wouldst