annel and a continual
song.

The garden went down to the bank of the river, inclosed by high walls,
which crossed the river, and there stopped. Each wall had a double row
of battlements, and between the rows was a narrow walk.

In the topmost story of the castle the Lady Aurora occupied a spacious
apartment of several large rooms looking southward. The windows
projected oriel-wise over the garden below, and there was a splendid
view from them both up and down and across the river. The opposite side
of the valley was steep, but not very high. Far away snow peaks were
visible. These rooms Aurora seldom left, but their airy spaces, the
brilliant landscape and sky, the plentiful sunlight, the musical
instruments, books, pictures, curiosities, with the company of Watho,
who made herself charming, precluded all dullness. She had venison and
feathered game to eat, milk and pale sunny sparkling wine to drink.

She had hair of the yellow gold, waved and rippled; her skin was fair,
not white like Watho's, and her eyes were of the blue of the heavens
when bluest; her features were delicate but strong, her mouth large and
finely curved, and haunted with smiles.

III.--VESPER.

Behind the castle the hill rose abruptly; the northeastern tower,
indeed, was in contact with the rock, and communicated with the interior
of it. For in the rock was a series of chambers, known only to Watho and
the one servant whom she trusted, called Falca. Some former owner had
constructed these chambers after the tomb of an Egyptian king, and
probably with the same design, for in the centre of one of them stood
what could only be a sarcophagus, but that and others were walled off.
The sides and roofs of them were carved in low relief, and curiously
painted. Here the witch lodged the blind lady, whose name was Vesper.
Her eyes were black, with long black lashes; her skin had a look of
darkened silver, but was of purest tint and grain; her hair was black
and fine and straight-flowing; her features were exquisitely formed, and
if less beautiful, yet more lovely from sadness; she always looked as if
she wanted to lie down and not rise again. She did not know she was
lodged in a tomb, though now and then she wondered she never touched a
window. There were many couches, covered with richest silk, and soft as
her own cheek, for her to lie upon; and the carpets were so thick she
might have cast herself down anywhere--as befitted a tomb. The place was
dry