Moneta had already forgiven him; and the three—father, mother, and child—loved one another, and were content to the end of their lives; and Ivan said,—

“Once for all I have found that gold cannot make one happy; but, with the blessing of a clear conscience, warm hearts and loving words are the sweetest things in life.”


THE LOST SYLPHID.

“I tell the tale as ’twas told to me.”

I have heard that one night, on a distant shore, a band of water-nixies were dancing to gentle music, their golden sandals twinkling like stars.

A lord and lady were walking on the same shore. The lord’s eyes were bent on the ground; but his wife paused, and said,—

“Listen, my lord, to that enchanting music!”

“I hear no music,” he replied, laughing. “You must wake up, dear wife.