nd that always improves the sight.'

"'Be it so, then. Perhaps I can better see the way; but the road is full of
perils innumerable, child. Have you found some other path?'

"'There is but one,' replied Purity.

"'So the roc said,' declared the man. 'How did you pass the dragon?'

"The child looked up wonderingly. 'I saw no dragon,' she answered.

"The man stared at her. 'There are pitfalls and obstacles innumerable,' he
repeated, 'and an ever-wakeful dragon. You passed it in the night, perhaps,
and were too small to be observed.'

"'I saw none,' repeated the child.

"'Yet I will risk it!' exclaimed the man. 'Rather death than this life.
Wait until I buckle on my sword and order our horses.'

"He turned to go, but the child caught his hand. 'We need no horses,' she
said, gently, 'and what would you with a sword?'

"'For our defense.'

"The child pressed his hand softly. 'Those who win to True Delight use only
the sword of spirit,' she answered.

"The man frowned at her, but even frowning he wondered. Again came the
swelling sensation within his breast, which he could not understand.

"The child smiled upon him and started toward the heavy gates and the man
followed. He wondered at himself, but he followed.

"Emerging into the woodland road, Purity took a path too narrow and devious
for a horse to tread, but the man saw that it led toward the rising sun.
She seemed perfectly sure of her way, and occasionally turned to look
sweetly on the pilgrim whose breast was beginning to quake at thought of
the difficulties to come. No defense had he but his two hands, and no guide
but this gentle, white-robed child in her ignorant fearlessness. Indeed it
was worse than being alone, for he must defend her as well as himself. She
was so young and helpless, and she had looked love at him. With this
thought the strange water stood again in his eyes and the narrow heart in
his bosom swelled yet more.

"The forest thickened and deepened. Sharp thorns sprang forth and at last
formed a network before the travelers.

"'You will hurt yourself, Purity!' cried the man. 'Let me go first,' and
pushing by the little child, he tried to break the thorny branches and
force a way; but his hands were torn in vain; and seeing the hopelessness,
after a long struggle, he turned sadly to his guide.

"'I told you!' he said.

"'Yes,' she answered, and the light from her eyes shone upon the tangle.
'On this road, force will avail nothing; b