John Seely Hart

“ Their silvery laugh, still sounding in his ear, reminded him of all the wild and beautiful things he had ever read in fairy-lore, or thought in his own bright imaginings. With the superstition of those early times, any one might have been justifiable in fancying the flying maidens connected with those mysterious little beings, the fairies—perhaps pet daughters of the Fay-Queen herself—for they were as slightly and delicately fashioned as the lily-bell, and, like the lily, their dress was purest white. ”

“ The young man quickened his pace, and as he turned the wooded point, he once more caught sight of the fugitives, and also of the pretty village beyond. The two young girls were now walking, with each an arm around the other’s waist—as it is the fashion with maidens when they have no stronger arm to encircle them. ”

“ The simplicity of those early times rendered the ceremony of an introduction as useless, as it in reality should be, and the young people soon found themselves in the heart of a spirited conversation. ”