eling. But he said to himself that sorrow must come unbidden,
and that it was no sorrow that was made with labour and intention. He
was a little angered with himself for his dulness--but then song was so
beautiful, that he could think of nothing else; he was dazzled.

A little while after, Mark asked him whether, as they were near at hand,
he would turn aside to see Mistress Alison's grave. And Paul said, "No;
I would rather feel it were all as it used to be!"--and then seeing that
Mark looked surprised and almost grieved, Paul, with the gentle
hypocrisy of childhood, said, "I cannot bear it yet," which made Mark
silent, and he said no more, but used Paul more gently than ever.

One day Mark said to him, very gravely, as if he had long been pondering
the matter, "It is time for me to take another pupil, Paul. I have
taught you all I know; indeed you have learned far more than I can
teach." Then he told him that he had arranged all things meetly. That
there was a certain Duke who lacked a minstrel, and that Paul should go
and abide with him. That he should have his room at the castle, and
should be held in great honour, making music only when he would. And
then Mark would have added some words of love, for he loved Paul as a
son. But Paul seemed to have no hunger in his heart, no thought of the
days they had spent together; so Mark said them not. But he added very
gently, "And one thing, Paul, I must tell you. You will be a great
master--indeed you are so already--and I can tell you nothing about the
art that you do not know. But one thing I will tell you--that you have a
human heart within you that is not yet awake: and when it awakes, it
will be very strong; so that a great combat, I think, lies before you.
See that it overcome you not!" And Paul said wondering, "Oh, I have a
heart, but it is altogether given to song." And so Mark was silent.

Then Paul went to the Duke's Castle of Wresting and abode with him year
after year. Here, too, he made no friend; he was gracious with all, and
of a lofty courtesy, so that he was had in reverence; and he made such
music that the tears would come into the eyes of those who heard him,
and they would look at each other, and wonder how Paul could thus tell
the secret hopes of the heart. There were many women in the castle,
great ladies, young maidens, and those that attended on them. Some of
these would have proffered love to Paul, but their glances fell before a
certain cold, virg