Page:The Children Who Followed the Piper.djvu/100

 looked into her face. She had laughing lips and shallow eyes.

"Eh," said the Nixie.

"Oh, Nixie," said Valentine, "what is the way through the Dark Forest?"

"I will show you," said the Nixie, and she smiled, inviting him to come near.

Valentine came to her. She put out her hands to him. Long was the Nixie's body and long were her white arms and hands. She put out her hands, and they fastened upon Valentine's hands.

The Nixie was smiling and smiling. But her hands did not loose from Valentine's hands. There was no grip in them and yet the hands held him.

"O lad, come," said the Nixie.

But Valentine pulled himself away and he drew his sword. Then the Nixie wailed. "I would only show you where to rest in the Dark Forest."