f within Mount Horsel, imploring my sweet lady
Venus for favor and loving mercy, for willingly would I be forever
condemned to hell for her love. Here endeth all my deeds of arms and my
sweet singing. Alas, that my lady's face and her eyes were too
beautiful, and that in an unfortunate moment I saw them. Then went he
forth sighing and returned to her, and dwelt sadly in the presence of
his lady, filled with a surpassing love. And afterwards it came to pass
that one day the pope saw many red and white flowers and leaf-buds
spring forth from his bastions, and all without bloomed anew. So that he
feared greatly, and being much moved thereby was filled with great pity
for the chevalier who had gone forth hopeless like unto a man forever
damned and miserable. And straightway sent he numberless messengers to
him to bring him back, saying that he should receive grace and
absolution from God, for this his great sin of love. But never more was
he seen; for the poor chevalier dwelt forever near unto Venus, that most
high and mighty Goddess, in the bosom of the amorous mountain." ...

Mrs. Holda was delightful as she welcomed her visitors. "The
drawing-room was not empty," she said; "a friend, an old friend, a bit
of a bore, you know;" and they must just stay downstairs, it was more
cozy, more intimate. Elizabeth, whose face was quite rosy from walking,
studied the woman with the Egyptian profile and glorious hair, and
wondered if she ever told the truth. Wolfram alone seemed uneasy. He
could not get into the swing of conversation; he was in his watchful
mood. He looked at the portieres as if every moment he expected some one
to appear. The musicale was discussed and Miss Landgrave's singing
praised. Wolfram rather awkwardly attempted to introduce Tannhaeuser's
name, but was snubbed by Elizabeth.

"Now, my dear Mrs. Holda, I've come to tell you some news; promise me, I
beg of you, promise me not to divulge it. We are engaged, Wolfram and I,
and you being such an old friend I came to you first." The girl's pure
face was the picture of nubile candor, and her eyes met fairly the shock
of the other's quick glance.

"How lovely, how perfectly lovely it all is, and how I appreciate your
confidence," sang Mrs. Holda, in purring accents. "How glad Henry
Tannhaeuser will be to hear that his two best friends are to be married.
I must tell--tell him this afternoon."

"Oh!" cried Elizabeth, lightly, "but your promise, have you forgotten
i