“Instantly it lost all power over its members, curled up in a writhing, wriggling mass, and I with a bound reached the sandy shore.”

CHAPTER XI

Paz, taking a long breath, and looking at Leo to see the effect of his narrative, went on: 

“It was quite time for me to be on land, for in the moonlight, which bathed everything in silver, were to be seen troops of fays hurrying to the festival.  Some sailed along the shore in mussel shells, others were on the backs of black swans whose bills looked like coral, and others were skimming along with their own gauzy wings, or lolling luxuriously on the feathers of flamingoes.

“I joined the ones on foot, and with them reached the plantation, which presented a scene of great brilliancy.  Gold and silver ferns hedged the rose-leaf path which led to the bower of beauty; on every leaf were myriads of fireflies, and glowing from higher plants bearing many-hued flowers were Brazilian beetles.  Plunging into the thicket, I made a hasty toilet at a brook-side, and then rejoined the advancing guests.  The bell-bird could be heard clearly summoning our approach, while sweetest warblers poured out their melody.  The throne was formed of the Santo-Spirito flowers, and beneath the wings of its dove-like calyx was the lovely fay in whose honor was all this gayety, surrounded by her young companions.

“Approaching quickly, I unstrapped my package, took the satin case from my pocket, and fell upon my knees in the customary manner; perceiving which, the beautiful being motioned for me to rise, and with the most unassuming grace received my burden.  As she unfolded the lace from its silken cover a cry of delight escaped her, and shaking out its gossamer folds she threw it over her head.  With all the care I could use I had laid bare the block of ice, which shone like silver in the moonbeams, and now with a sudden blow of my dagger I cleft the ice, and lifted out the wreath, placing it as I did so on the head of the fay.

“There was no time for ceremony.  Had I waited to pass it from hand to hand of the attendants it would have been gone.  There was a hush over all as I crowned the fay.  Each snowy star stood out in perfect beauty.  She alone could not see its peerless charm.  But I had provided for this.  Chipping off a thin layer of the ice-block, I laid a silver-lined leaf from a neighboring bough behind it, and held this mirror before the fay’s wondering eyes.  Never have I seen anything so beautiful or so fleeting.  Even as I held the reflected image before its reality, drops as of dew began falling over the lace, and in a moment the wreath was gone.

“Like a little child robbed of a treasure, the look of wonder and delight gave place to one of bewildered disappointment.  She turned a questioning gaze upon me.

“‘Alas!’ said I, ’most sovereign lady, ’tis not in elfin power to reproduce this wreath; it was the emblem of human life, as brief, as fleeting.  My Queen desired me to bring it.  I have met with great difficulties in so doing, but none has saddened me like your disappointment.’