They then walked onward, as before. But, methought, as the
declining sun threw Zenobia's magnified shadow along the path, I
beheld it tremulous; and the delicate stem of the flower which she
wore in her hair was likewise responsive to her agitation.
Priscilla--through the medium of her eyes, at least could not
possibly have been aware of the gesture above described. Yet, at
that instant, I saw her droop. The buoyancy, which just before had
been so bird-like, was utterly departed; the life seemed to pass out
of her, and even the substance of her figure to grow thin and gray.
I almost imagined her a shadow, tiding gradually into the dimness of
the wood. Her pace became so slow that Hollingsworth and Zenobia
passed by, and I, without hastening my footsteps, overtook her.
"Come, Priscilla," said I, looking her intently in the face, which
was very pale and sorrowful, "we must make haste after our friends.
Do you feel suddenly ill? A moment ago, you flitted along so lightly
that I was comparing you to a bird. Now, on the contrary, it is as
if you had a heavy heart, and a very little strength to bear it with.
Pray take my arm!"
"No," said Priscilla, "I do not think it would help me. It is my
heart, as you say, that makes me heavy; and I know not why. Just now,
I felt very happy."
No doubt it was a kind of sacrilege in me to attempt to come within
her maidenly mystery; but, as she appeared to be tossed aside by her
other friends, or carelessly let fall, like a flower which they had
done with, I could not resist the impulse to take just one peep
beneath her folded petals.
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