The Faery Tales of Weir | Page 5

velvet softly lined with apricot brocade!"
"Nay, none of these will I wear, but my gown of good wool, and in my
bundle are changes of linen, for I want no lace on my limbs. Send me
fresh flowers for my hair, I entreat you, and I will bathe and so prepare
myself for the court dinner."
Dame Caecilia stared at her, and moved the golden combs and mirrors
about angrily on the dressing-table. "You will lose me my place at

court," she cried.
"Perhaps it is already lost," answered the Princess.
"You speak not at all like a beggar."
"You never took the trouble to learn what a beggar really says," the
Princess replied as she stripped the blue glove from her hand.
Curiosity got the better of the court lady's anger. "What person gave
you that glove in place of alms?" she asked.
"My godmother out of faery land!"
"Nonsense!" cried the Dame, and she departed for the flowers with a
face like a withered leaf.
The little Princess leaned against the sill of the window and sighed, and
looked into the blue sphere of the night and wondered on what altar the
high stars were lit. She thought of Merlin who had drowned his ball
because her touch was on it, and her heart throbbed as if a hand were
drawing it from her breast to place it out of her reach. She had seen
little maids among the golden shadows of her own court with their
white hands outstretched towards a heart someone had taken. Now the
thrilling touch of that theft was upon her own spirit. Her thoughts
followed Merlin as if her substance had been changed into his shadow.
All the court had assembled for dinner, when she entered the banquet
hall behind the shame-faced Dame Caecilia, who made a curtsey to the
floor as she explained to the King that the beggar-maid, being lacking
in art, refused the silken clothes. "She would wear only this crown of
wood violets."
Then the Princess curtsied, and all the courtiers laughed, but the King
gravely bowed to her; and called, "Prince Hugh."
Prince Hugh came forward, looking noble as was his wont in the
presence of his father. "What is your will, Sire?"

"I desire you to lead this maiden to the banquet."
"Sire, I have already asked the Lady Diana," he said and blushed a little,
for he was lying.
The King then asked a lackey to summon Prince Richard, who came
looking noble as was his custom, also, in the presence of his father.
"I desire you to lead this maiden to the banquet."
Prince Richard still endeavored to look noble. "Sire," he replied, "I am
not dining to-night. I have a headache."
Then King Cuthbert sent for Prince Merlin. Now when the Princess
Myrtle heard his name, it seemed to her as if musicians had begun to
play in a far-off room. She drooped her head a little lest she should
show tears in her eyes when he, too, refused her. He came up white and
grave with a look that was not patient. When his father made the
request of him that he made of his other sons, Prince Merlin bowed and
extended his arm to the beggar-girl, but he was as silent as a wood
before a storm. Only the Princess quivered like a leaf that expects a
great wind to pass.
"Did you obey your father because you are sorry for me?" she
whispered.
"No, I obeyed him because he is the King, not I. I am sorry for myself
rather than you."
Then the Princess felt her soul sink into a gulf, but she smiled and ate
the food that was offered her, and made no attempt to speak to Prince
Merlin.
All the next day she wandered in the rose-alleys, through marvelous
terraces, and under the great trees, but no one spoke to her, nor could
she see anything but vanishing forms; and so it was until evening, when
wearied, she sat down on a bench and gazed into her mirror and gave a
cry of joy. "Now," said she, "I love truly. By this sign I know I love

truly, for I see Merlin's face in the mirror and not my own."
Then she went alone to her rooms through the vast corridors, and stood
before the long mirrors which were not magic, but only meant to reflect
earthly vanities; and from the shining marble floor came up a kind of
radiance about her. She opened the cedar doors of the wardrobes, and
there issued a scent as of costly silk that has been perfumed with iris
root.
The temptation was heavy upon her to clothe herself delicately that she
might please Merlin; and never before had beautiful clothes seemed