Phantastes, A Faerie Romance

"So it is. Come to my grotto. There is light there."

"Have you another cave, then?"

"Come and see."

But she did not move until I rose first, and then she was on her feet

before I could offer my hand to help her. She came close to my side, and

conducted me through the wood. But once or twice, when, involuntarily

almost, I was about to put my arm around her as we walked on through the

warm gloom, she sprang away several paces, always keeping her face full

towards me, and then stood looking at me, slightly stooping, in the

attitude of one who fears some half-seen enemy. It was too dark to

discern the expression of her face. Then she would return and walk close

beside me again, as if nothing had happened. I thought this strange;

but, besides that I had almost, as I said before, given up the attempt

to account for appearances in Fairy Land, I judged that it would be very

unfair to expect from one who had slept so long and had been so suddenly

awakened, a behaviour correspondent to what I might unreflectingly look

for. I knew not what she might have been dreaming about. Besides, it was

possible that, while her words were free, her sense of touch might be

exquisitely delicate.

At length, after walking a long way in the woods, we arrived at another

thicket, through the intertexture of which was glimmering a pale rosy

light.

"Push aside the branches," she said, "and make room for us to

enter."

I did as she told me.

"Go in," she said; "I will follow you."

I did as she desired, and found myself in a little cave, not very unlike

the marble cave. It was festooned and draperied with all kinds of

green that cling to shady rocks. In the furthest corner, half-hidden in

leaves, through which it glowed, mingling lovely shadows between them,

burned a bright rosy flame on a little earthen lamp. The lady glided

round by the wall from behind me, still keeping her face towards me, and

seated herself in the furthest corner, with her back to the lamp, which

she hid completely from my view. I then saw indeed a form of perfect

loveliness before me. Almost it seemed as if the light of the rose-lamp

shone through her (for it could not be reflected from her); such a

delicate shade of pink seemed to shadow what in itself must be a marbly

whiteness of hue. I discovered afterwards, however, that there was one

thing in it I did not like; which was, that the white part of the eye

was tinged with the same slight roseate hue as the rest of the form. It

is strange that I cannot recall her features; but they, as well as her

somewhat girlish figure, left on me simply and only the impression of

intense loveliness. I lay down at her feet, and gazed up into her face

as I lay.