Page:In Maremma, by Ouida (vol 3).djvu/336

328 and the evergreen alaternus grew closer and closer around the entrance of the Etruscan grave, and at last wove so impenetrable a veil between it and the light that even the wild birds and the hunted hare seeking a refuge could not enter there.

It defended her in death as it had sheltered her in life; and the woodlark sang above amidst the woodspurge, and the balm and the spikenard and the wild rose grew over the place of the tomb.