CHAPTER FOURThe Earl gave a little laugh.
Then he recited,
“A dream from the darkness of the night,
A dream from the stars and the gentle light
Of a crescent moon. An illusion!
A mirage false and a lie,
There is nothing in life but a death to die.”
His voice seemed to vibrate across the water.
“I think it is being hurt that makes you feel like that,” Olinda said gently.
“That is why I come here to delude myself,” he answered. “Until now I have always been alone.”
“I am – sorry that I have – intruded in such a – private place,” Olinda stammered.
“You know I don’t mean that,” he said quickly. “I feel it is right that you should be here – a dream I never expected.”
She looked away across the lake and now the stars were reflected in the still water. The moon was growing a little st
