I tell you some one is coming.... There he is! [_She points out a young knight coming forward through the trees and holding his horse by the bridle._] Do not take me by the hand; I am not afraid.... He has not seen us.... ABLAMORE. Who dares come here?... If I did not know.... I believe it is Palomides.... It is Astolaine's betrothed.... He has raised his head.... Is it you, Palomides? _Enter_ PALOMIDES. PALOMIDES. Yes, my father.... If I am suffered yet to call you by that name.... I come hither before the day and the hour.... ABLAMORE. You are a welcome guest, whatever hour it be.... But what has happened? We did not expect you for two days yet.... Is Astolaine here, too?... PALOMIDES. No; she will come to-morrow. We have journeyed day and night. She was tired and begged me to come on before.... Are my sisters come? ABLAMORE. They have been here three days waiting for your wedding.--You look very happy, Palomides.... PALOMIDES. Who would not be happy, to have found what he sought? I was sad of old. But now the days seem lighter and more sweet than harmless birds in the hand.... And if old moments come again by chance, I draw near Astolaine, and you would think I threw a window open on the dawn.... She has a soul that can be seen around her,--that takes you in its arms like an ailing child and without saying anything to you consoles you for everything.... I shall never understand it at all.--I do not know how it can all be; but my knees bend in spite of me when I speak of it.... ALLADINE. I want to go in again. ABLAMORE. [_Seeing that_ ALLADINE _and_ PALOMIDES _look at each other stealthily._] This is little Alladine who has come hither from the heart of Arcady.... Take hands ... Does that astonish you, Palomides?... PALOMIDES. My father.... [PALOMIDES' _horse starts aside, frightening_ ALLADINE'S _lamb._] ABLAMORE. Take care.... Your horse has frightened Alladine's lamb.... He will run away.... ALLADINE. No; he never runs away.... He has been startled, but he will not run away.... It is a lamb my godmother gave me.... He is not like others.... He stays beside me night and day. [_Caressing it._ PALOMIDES (_also caressing it_). He looks at me with the eyes of a child.... ALLADINE. He understands everything that happens.... ABLAMORE. It is time to go find your sisters, Palomides.... They will be astonished to see you.... ALLADINE. They have gone every day to the turning of the road.... I have gone with them; but they did not hope yet.... ABLAMORE. Come; Palomides is covered with dust, and he must be weary.... We have too many things to say to each other to talk here.... We will say them to-morrow.... They claim the morn is wiser than the evening.... I see the palace gates are open and seem to wait for us.... ALLADINE.