So they came into the garden, where the pear-trees were blossoming
over the spring lilies, and the cherries were showering their flowers
on the deep green grass, and everything smelled sweetly on the warm
windless spring morning.
She led the way, going before him till they came by a smooth grass
path between the berry bushes, to a square space of grass about which
were barberry trees, their first tender leaves bright green in the
sun against the dry yellowish twigs. There was a sundial amidmost of
the grass, and betwixt the garden-boughs one could see the long grey
roof of the ancient hall; and sweet familiar sounds of the nesting
birds and men and women going on their errands were all about in the
scented air. She turned about at the sundial and faced Face-of-god,
her hand lightly laid on the scored brass, and spake with no anger in
her voice:
'I ask thee if thou hast brought me the token whereon thou shalt
swear to give me that gift.'
'Yea,' said he; and therewith drew the ring from his bosom, and held
it out to her. She reached out her hand to him slowly and took it,
and their fingers met as she did so, and he noted that her hand was
warm and firm and wholesome as he well remembered it.
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