"Lovers in the moon!"
"What! have you never seen them?"
"I see only the hare, with his two long ears."
"Look again, the lady is on the right, and you see her head in profile, her lover has a beard—there, do you see?"
"No," said Ragna, "I still do not see."
"That is because your eyes have not been opened; when you have had a lover, you will see the Lovers in the moon."
Ragna laughed at the idea.
"Why should having a lover improve one's eyesight?" she asked.
"It will not improve your physical eyes, Mademoiselle, but it will open your spiritual eyes to the world; just now your heart is blind."
To this Ragna found no answer; she stood silent, her face turned up to the moon, still looking vainly for the Lovers. Mirko stood gazing at her tempted by her fairness, her simplicity, and the moonlight.