Access Online - The European Library

ARIADNE. 109saw them. He had been, like the magicians ofold, who by their spells called up all shapes sobeautiful and unearthly, that the magician flungdown his crystal and fled appalled from the thingthat he had summoned.Inever asked her anything.Iserved her inall waysIcould, asIhad done ever since thattime when she had come to me in the middaysun with the poppies and the passiflora flowers inher hands, andIhad awakened from my sleepand said to her, " Dear, — Love is cruel; thathealways is."Iwas glad and thankful that she knew me wellenoughneverto offer me any of the gold of thedead man: that would have stung me so indeedthatIthinkIcould nevermore havelooked uponher face. But she knew me too well;andIdidsuch service for her asIcould,makingfit for herthe old, dusky,lofty rooms, and finding anhonestwomanto dwell there,for Ersilia could not leaveher own dwelling-house, and going on with myownlabours at the corner of the bridge, so as tobe nobiuden to any one.The poor httle Greek boy haunted the place,