ed awe and reverence, and forbade even the smallest familiarity.

One evening there came to the grove of Herthe a youth from a far distant
land, seeking to know his destiny. All day he had journeyed thitherward,
and the dusk had already fallen ere he reached the sacred spot. Jette
sat on the glimmering altar-steps, clad in a flowing white robe, while
on the altar itself burned a faint and fitful flame. The tall, slender
trees, showing fantastic and ghostly in the fading light, made a fitting
background for the gleaming shrine; and the elusive, unearthly beauty of
the priestess was quite in keeping with the magic scene. Her mantle
of austerity had fallen from her; she had forgotten that she was a
prophetess; for the moment she was but a woman, full of grace and charm.
The youth paused as though held by a spell.

"Fair prophetess," he said in a low voice, fearing to break in rudely
upon her meditations, "wilt thou read me my fate?"

Jette, roused from her reverie, fixed her startled gaze on the handsome
stranger, whose dark, burning eyes met hers in deepest admiration.
Something stirred in her heart at the ardent glance, the thrilling
tones, and her wonted composure deserted her.

"Youth," she faltered at length, "thou comest at a time when my
prophetic skill hath failed me. Ere I tell thee thy fate I must offer
sacrifice to Herthe. If thou wilt come to-morrow at this hour I will
tell thee what the stars say concerning thy destiny."

It was true that her skill had deserted her under the admiring scrutiny
of the young warrior, yet she delayed also because she wished to hear
his voice again, to meet the ardent yet courteous glance of his dark
eyes.

"I will return, O prophetess," said he, and with that he was gone.

Jette's peace of mind had gone too, it seemed, for she could think of
naught but the handsome stranger.

On the following evening he returned, and again she delayed to give him
the information he sought. He was no less rejoiced than was Jette at the
prospect of another meeting.

On the third day the priestess greeted him with downcast eyes.

"I cannot read thy destiny, youth," she said; "the stars do not speak
plainly. Yet methinks thy star and mine are very close together." She
faltered and paused.

"Dost thou love me, Jette?" cried the young man joyfully. "Wilt thou be
my bride?"

The maiden's blushing cheeks and downcast glance were sufficient answer.

"And wilt thou come with me to my tower?"