Page:Wood Beyond the World.djvu/66

 She looked on him anxiously, and grew somewhat pale, as she said: What other one?

Now Walter did not know what the dwarf might be to her, fellow-servant or what not, so he would not show his loathing of him; but answered wisely: The little man in the yellow raiment.

But when she heard that word, she went suddenly very pale, and leaned her head aback, and beat the air with her hands; but said presently in a faint voice: I pray thee talk not of that one while I am by, nor even think of him, if thou mayest forbear.

He spake not, and she was a little while before she came to herself again; then she opened her eyes, and looked upon Walter and smiled kindly on him, as though to ask his pardon for having scared him. Then she rose up in her place, and stood before him; and they were nigh together, for the stream betwixt them was little.

But he still looked anxiously upon her and said: Have I hurt thee? I pray thy pardon.

She looked on him more sweetly still, and said: O nay; thou wouldst not hurt me, thou!

Then she blushed very red, and he in like wise; but afterwards she turned pale, 60