Before her stood Alroy. She rose,
she would have retired; but, advancing, the conqueror stole her hand.
'Fair princess,' said Alroy, 'let it not be said that my presence
banished at once beauty and music.'
'Sire, I doubt not that Honain awaits you. Let me summon him.'
'Lady, it is not with Honain that I would speak.'
He seated himself by her side. His countenance was pale, his heart
trembled.
'This garden,' at length he observed in a low voice, 'this garden, a
brief, brief space has glided away since first I wandered within its
beauteous limits, and yet those days seem like the distant memory of
another life.'
'It is another life,' said the princess. 'Ourselves, the world, all
forms and usages, all feelings and all habits, verily they have changed,
as if we had breathed within another sphere.'
''Tis a great change.'
'Since first you visited my bright kiosk. Pretty bauble! I pray it may
be spared.'
'It is sacred, like yourself.'
'You are a courteous conqueror.'
'I am no conqueror, fair Schirene, but a slave more lowly than when I
first bowed humbly in your presence.'
'And bore away a token not forgotten. Your rosary is here.'
'Let me claim it. It has been my consolation in much peril, beauteous
lady.
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