Though to all her asking Baltè received no reply, yet at last she thought she knew her darling’s wish.
The next day she met Nikander in the outer aula.
“Master,” she said, “I know now what little mistress wants.”
“Great Heaven! has she spoken?” asked Nikander.
“No, Master, but her eyes speak to me.”
“They do not to me,” said Nikander sorrowfully.
“Oh, Master, ye must not be wroth with little mistress if I tell ye that she loves that good youth that found her on the mountain. Don’t ye blame her for it. She is a human child and Eëtíon loves her so dearly. She wants to see him, Master. She wants to see him.”
“Poor Baltè, you cannot know that.”
Baltè told what she had seen.
“You forget,” said Nikander, “that your little mistress is priestess. It would be absolutely improper.”