She trembled with exquisite delight, sweet Dainty, and could not reply for a moment.

[37]"Answer, darling," he pleaded. "Will you be mine? If you are too shy to speak, look at me with those tender blue eyes, and I will read my fate."

[37]

Slowly, bashfully, the long fringe of her lashes fluttered upward, and the glorious blue met the passionate dark ones in a long, lingering look that needed no words to tell of the love that thrilled either heart with deathless emotion; and he was content. He had won the prize.

[38]

[38]

CHAPTER VII. "THE TRAIL OF THE SERPENT."

"THE TRAIL OF THE SERPENT."

"Your roses are fading in the hot sunshine, dear. Let us get some fresh ones," said Love to Dainty, anxious to draw her out of sight of the others, that he might seal their betrothal with a lover's kiss.

They moved away toward the rose-garden, followed by the angry, envious glances of Olive and Ela, who hated Dainty with jealous hate, now that they saw how little all their arts had availed to change her lover.

But Love and Dainty had forgotten their existence. They were in Arcady.

—"Love must kiss that mortal's eyes

Who hopes to see fair Arcady,

No gold can buy your entrance there,

But beggared Love may go all bare—

No wisdom won with weariness;

But Love goes in with Folly's dress—

No fame that wit could ever win,

But only Love may lead Love in;

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