'If all men were proved in advance,' answered Daura, with a faint smile, 'who would come unscathed from the furnace?'
'Your questions contain a significant denial of my request,' answered Hiorba. 'Since you have seen these strangers I have no longer any influence over your hearts. Consider well my last warning.'
She again raised her wand to the mirror and the field of battle again presented itself. Aliande saw the fluttering veil, and the furious contention of the knights.
'For God's sake, Hiorba,' shrieked the maidens; 'help, protect save!'
'See you those rough and savage men?' said Hiorba; 'They do not know which has the best right to the flimsy web, and yet each knight is ready to murder his brother-in-arms for its possession. You have here a specimen of what men call honor; and believe me, as their feet now recklessly trample upon the delicate wood-flower in their deadly struggle, so will the tyranny of their strength, their pride, and their sensuality, trample upon all your tenderest feelings and finally break your hearts.'
'Why waste so many words,' complained the maidens; 'save, good mother, separate the frantic knights.'
Shaking her head in token of disapprobation, Hiorba reluctantly took her wand and opened a cage which hung from the arch above; a bird of paradise came chirping thence, and perched confidingly upon her shoulder.
'Go, bring me the veil, Immo!' said Hiorba; 'and lead hither the contending knights, also.'
With her wand she softly touched the bird between its wings, and, sweetly warbling, it shot off like an arrow from the bow.