As he approaches one of the resting-places, a maiden who is sitting inside on a bank of turf calls to him: “Maquetas, come here and stop awhile. Come and rest by my side, with your back to the abyss, and let us talk a little. Nothing heartens us for this journey like a few words spoken in love and companionship. Stay awhile here with me. Afterwards you will go on your way again refreshed and renewed.” “I cannot, my girl,” Maquetas replied, slowing his pace but without halting, “I cannot. The castle is still a great way off and I must reach it before the sun sets behind its towers.” “You will lose nothing by staying here awhile, young man, for afterwards you will take the road again with more mettle and with new strength. Are you not tired?” “That I am, lass.” “Then stay awhile and rest. Here you have this turf for your couch and my lap for your pillow. Come, stay!” And she opened her arms, offering him her bosom. Maquetas paused for a moment, and as he did so there came to his ears the voice of the invisible torrent flowing in the depths of the abyss. He quitted the road, stretched himself on the turf and laid his head on the girl’s lap. With her fresh rosy hands she wiped the sweat from his brow, while his eyes gazed up at the morning sky overhead, a sky that was as young as the eyes of the girl. “What is it you are singing, lass?” “’Tis not I singing--it is the water that flows down there, behind us.” “And what is it that it sings?” “It sings the song of eternal rest. But now rest yourself.” “Eternal, did you say?” “Yes, that is what the torrent sings. But now rest.” “And afterwards....” “Rest, Maquetas, and don’t say ‘afterwards.’” The girl put her lips to his lips and kissed him. Maquetas felt the kiss melt and flow through all his body, and so sweet it was that it seemed as if all the sky poured itself down over him. His senses swooned. He dreamed that he was falling endlessly down into the bottomless abyss.... When he awoke and opened his eyes he saw above him the sky of evening. “O lass, how late it is! Now I shall not have time to reach the castle. Let me go, let me go.” “Go then, and God guide and companion you. And don’t forget me, Maquetas.” “Give me one kiss more.” “Take it, and may it strengthen you.” With the kiss Maquetas felt that his strength was increased a hundredfold and he began to run along the road, the lilt of his song keeping time with his strides. And he ran and ran, leaving the other pilgrims behind him. One of them shouted to him as he passed: “You’ll stop, Maquetas.” Then he saw that the sun was beginning to set behind the towers of the castle and Maquetas felt a chill strike his heart. The fires of the sunset lasted but for a moment. He heard the grating of the chains of the drawbridge. And Maquetas said to himself: “They are shutting the castle-gate.”