Violet Jacob > Stories told by the miller

THE TREE OF PRIDE
log
dawn. He longed to go with her, because he
was weary for a change of scene, and because
he thought it possible that he might find some
chance of escape. So one evening, seeing that
she was about to depart, he sighed heavily.
“ Lady,” he said, “ if you knew how long
these evenings seem to me when you are away,
you would never have the heart to go.”
“ Are not all my dancing-girls and musicians
here to while away the time ?” replied she,
looking very softly at him.
“ What do I care for them ?” said he. “ Is
there one who has a voice like yours, or a face to
be compared with yours ? No, no. I f I have to
part with you, my only wish is to be alone.”
The Enchantress was delighted.
“ I must go, nevertheless,” she said. “For a
long time past I have spent the first night of
every week in a visit to the Bat-King, who
rules over an enchanted forest some leagues from
here. If I were to disappoint him, he would
never forgive me. I have to go after dark and
return before sunrise, as he can only see at
night, and spends his days sleeping among the
trees.”
The King made as though he were jealous.