“Yes,” I said, “I noticed that your own taste in dress is different of late.  This is a much simpler thing than what you came in.”

“Oh, yes,” she said, “it doesn’t seem worth while to dress up now.  I have made my friends, and I suppose I am getting lazy.”

We said little more, but she did not seem inclined to leave me, and was more with me for a time.  I actually heard her tell Lucius once that she was tired, at which he laughed, not very pleasantly, and went away.

But my own summons came to me so unexpectedly that I had but little time to make my farewell.

I was sitting once in a garden-close watching a curious act proceeding, which I did not quite understand.  It looked like a religious ceremony; a man in embroidered robes was being conducted by some boys in white dresses through the long cloister, carrying something carefully wrapped up in his arms, and I heard what sounded like an antique hymn of a fine stiff melody, rapidly sung.

There had been nothing quite like this before, and I suddenly became aware that Amroth was beside me, and that he had a look of anger in his face.  “You had better not look at this,” he said to me; “it might not be very helpful, as they say.”

“Am I to come with you?” I said.  “That is well—­but I should like to say a word to one or two of my friends here.”

“No, not a word!” said Amroth quickly.  He looked at me with a curious look, in which he seemed to be measuring my strength and courage.  “Yes, that will do!” he added.  “Come at once—­don’t be surprised—­it will be different from what you expect.”

He took me by the arm, and we hurried from the place; one or two of the people who stood by looked at us in lazy wonder.  We walked in silence down a long alley, to a great gate that I had often passed in my strolls.  It was a barred iron gate, of a very stately air, with high stone gateposts.  I had never been able to find my outward way to this, and there was a view from it of enchanting beauty, blue distant woods and rolling slopes.  Amroth came quickly to the gate, seemed to unlock it, and held it open for me to pass.  “One word,” he said with his most beautiful smile, his eyes flashing and kindling with some secret emotion, “whatever happens, do not be afraid!  There is nothing whatever to fear, only be prepared and wait.”  He motioned me through, and I heard him close the gate behind me.

XVII

I was alone in an instant, and in terrible pain—­pain not in any part of me, but all around and within me.  A cold wind of a piercing bitterness seemed to blow upon me; but with it came a sense of immense energy and strength, so that the pain became suddenly delightful, like the stretching of a stiffened limb.  I cannot put the pain into exact words.  It was not attended by any horror; it seemed a sense of infinite grief and loss and loneliness, a deep yearning to be delivered