plighted my troth, and that if I stay beside thee and chase remembrance away, I break the pledge which I gave to another."
"Nay! the heralds of dawn have not yet sounded the trumpets. Osiris is still well hidden behind the hills, and my nosegay is not ready. I have no tuberose, which means passion, and no white pansy, which means forgetfulness."
"It is not in thy power, Neit-akrit, to put white pansy into thy bunch, and I …"
"And thou?"
"I would not put them there if I could."
"Then, thou hast no wish to forget?"
"Rosemary, which is for remembrance, will be my most cherished flower. Give me that one, Neit-akrit, out of the bunch … touch it once with thy lips and then let the poor fool go his way."
Ill, paralysed, numbed as I was, all my hopes tended towards the beautiful girl who alone could keep Hugh away from the terrible danger. I longed to give her courage to tell Hugh all, yet feared every moment that she would, and that he would not believe, that his loyalty to his bride should not allow him to listen to terrible accusations framed against her by another woman. The moments were precious; already through the distant gate the light of dawn grew stronger and more clear.
"Nay! what is the use?" she said, as she drew a step back from him; "thou dost seem to remember all that thou dost wish—thy duty, thy word; the white rosemary should not come from me."
"Sweet Neit-akrit, thou art a child," he said with almost rough earnestness. "Thou dost not understand—how couldst thou? I am a senseless fool…. Give me thy hands to kiss … place them both upon my
