Page:Idalia, by 'Ouida' volume 2.djvu/283

272 enough for one, for Holy Mary knows it is hard work and thankless to find food for seventy hungry months and lean stomachs in these barren lands. Wait a second, and I will be back."

He heaved up the water-buckets, and went his way with bent shoulders and plodding steps. Erceldoune stood by the lake-side, with his eyes fastened on the barred loophole whence the eyes of the mistress of his life had looked down on him. He thought he saw the gleam of her hair in the shadow on high; he thought she gazed on him, though for both their sakes she dared not do so openly; he felt his cheek change colour like a woman's; he felt his limbs tremble as with a woman's tremor;—all chance of aid to her, of deliverance for her, rested on this one hazard he had tried of obtaining entrance to the convent that was her prison-house. It seemed to him an eternity while the monk was absent; anxiety made his eyes blind and his head swim as he saw the brother at last returning;—if his request were denied! if his disguise were penetrated! The first words he heard made him feel giddy with their joy.

"My son, be it as you will," said the monk; "and I pray you kill a swan quickly. The Father