he heavens ablaze with spires
of sapphire light.

[Sidenote: At the First Meeting]

Sometimes, at the first meeting The Prince is known, by that mysterious
alchemy which lies in the depths of the maiden soul and often, after
long waiting, a friend throws off his disguise and royalty stands
revealed. Sometimes he is the comrade of the far-off childish years, the
schoolmate of a later time, or someone whose hand has proved a strength
and solace in times of deepest grief.

"To Love and Understand!" All else may be forgiven, if he has but these
two gifts, for they are as the crest and royal robe. Bare and empty his
hands may be, but these are the kingly rights.

Slowly, and sometimes with a strange fear which makes her tremble, there
steals into her heart a great peace. With it comes infinite tenderness
and an unspeakable compassion, not only for him, but for all the world.
Love's laughter changes to questioning too deep for smiles or tears--the
boundless aspiration of the soul toward all things true.

Playthings and tinsel are cast away. The music of the dance dies in
lingering, discordant fragments, and in its place comes the full tone of
an organ and the majestic movement of a symphony. The web of the daily
living grows beautiful in the new light, for the Hand that set the
pattern has been gently laid upon her loom.

[Sidenote: Through all the Years to Come]

Through all the years to come, they are to be together; he and she.
There will be no terror in the wilderness, no sting in poverty or
defeat--hunger and thirst can be forgotten. Wherever Destiny may point
the way, they are to fare together--he and she.

Somewhere, in a world whose only shame is its uncleanliness, they two
are to make a home and keep the little space around them wholly clean.
Somewhere, they two will show the world that the old ideals are not
lost; that a man and a woman may still live together in supreme and
lasting content. Somewhere, too, they will teach anew the old lesson,
that it is unyielding Honour at the core of things that keeps them sound
and sweet.

There is nothing in all life so beautiful as that first dream of Home; a
place where there is balm for the tortured soul, new courage for the
wavering soul, rest for the tired soul, and stronger trust for the soul
caught in the snares of doubt and disbelief--a place where one may be
wholly and joyfully one's self, where one's mistakes are never faults,
where pardon ever anticipates