g
the wreath high in her two hands poised like a crown above her head--the
brilliant sun embracing her, her lips curling, her face uplifted as if
she turned to defy the light, the crimson of her cheek. 'Twas as if from
foot to brow the woman's whole person was a flame, rising and burning
triumphant high above him. Thus for one second's space she stood,
dazzling his very eyesight with her strange, dauntless splendour; and
then she set the great rose-wreath upon her head, so crowning it.

"You came to see me," she said, the spark in her eyes growing to the size
of a star; "I bid you look at me--and see how grief has faded me these
past months, and how I am bowed down by it. Look well--that you may
remember."

"I look," he said, almost panting.

"Then," she said, her fine-cut nostril pinching itself with her breath,
as she pointed down the path before her--"_go_!--back to your kennel!"

* * * * *

That night she appeared at the birth-night ball with the wreath of roses
on her head. No other ladies wore such things, 'twas a fashion of her
own; but she wore it in such beauty and with such state that it became a
crown again even as it had been the first moment that she had put it on.
All gazed at her as she entered, and a murmur followed her as she moved
with her father up the broad oak staircase which was known through all
the country for its width and massive beauty. In the hall below guests
were crowded, and there were indeed few of them who did not watch her as
she mounted by Sir Jeoffry's side. In the upper hall there were guests
also, some walking to and fro, some standing talking, many looking down
at the arrivals as they came up.

"'Tis Mistress Wildairs," these murmured as they saw her. "Clorinda, by
God!" said one of the older men to his crony who stood near him. "And
crowned with roses! The vixen makes them look as if they were built of
rubies in every leaf."

At the top of the great staircase there stood a gentleman, who had indeed
paused a moment, spellbound, as he saw her coming. He was a man of
unusual height and of a majestic mien; he wore a fair periwig, which
added to his tallness; his laces and embroiderings were marvels of art
and richness, and his breast blazed with orders. Strangely, she did not
seem to see him; but when she reached the landing, and her face was
turned so that he beheld the full blaze of its beauty, 'twas so great a
wonder and revelation to him that he gave a start. T