Page:Stories from Old English Poetry-1899.djvu/174

152 in Helena. Soon she came to the tree under which Demetrius lay sleeping. Close after her came the recreant Lysander, besieging her with vows of love. Then Demetrius, awaking, saw before him the lady he had scorned, and falling at her feet, he begged forgiveness. Lysander opposed his passion, and offered to relinquish Hermia to him. But now Demetrius refused her, and declared only Helena had had, and should have, his heart and his allegiance. The puzzled Helena knew not what to believe. Could they be playing on her foolish fondness? So she stood incredulous, longing, yet fearing to believe in the protestations of Demetrius, when Hermia approached. She, poor little one, seeing Lysander again, was flying to him, all tears and smiles, when he repulsed her with fury, called her harsh names, and bade her leave him, since he no longer cared for her. Then the unhappy maiden saw both her former lovers at Helena’s feet, contending for Helena’s smiles, as, one little hour ago, they had quarreled for her favor.

She could not restrain the rage which she felt against Helena at this sight. That this pale-faced, dove-eyed girl, who had been her friend,her sister almost,who had shared her childish games and girlish confidences, should now become her rival in Lysander’s love, should have