“And all these things the king gave willingly, for he loved Ia as the light of his eyes. “Now it chanced a great cloud hung over this country, a cloud of adversity and evil days. Sorrow was there in the land, for a war wasted it, moreover a famine wrought further misery in many homes. Only in the House of Dalliance might the king fly the evil hour, forgetting here the sorrow of his realm. “One day his servants came into his presence saying one craved audience of the king. “‘An aged woman who promiseth a remedy is here.’ “‘Then let her come before us,’ the king made answer. “And there entered an old woman, at his word. Heavily she leaned upon a stick in walking, and the wrinkles in her face were as the ripples in the sand, when the tide is far sped. Her eyes were dim with the years that bowed her, and her hair fell in meagre locks of grey. “‘Heaven save you, mother,’ quoth the king, as she entered. ‘What words of wisdom find you in your heart to-day?’ “The old woman bent her head before him, signing to him to send the courtiers from the room. And when they were alone together, ‘What is the need of your land, O king?’ she asked. ‘In what measure may you stay the evil?’ “And the king made answer: ‘I had thought thou broughtest counsel, mother, and now thou openest thy lips but to question me. Many years has a war vexed this country, and a famine wasteth many homes. The treasures of State are empty, and now I know not where to turn for gold. Had I half the bulk of the country’s customary treasure, peradventure I might stay the war; but seeing this is exhausted through years of adversity, we must bethink ourselves of other means.’ “‘Yes, verily, other means,’ replied the old woman; ‘and the wisdom that lieth nearest is the wisdom that is overlooked. Yet do thou listen: I have knowledge of a means by which the evil may be stayed.’ “‘Speak, and may God enlighten thee,’ said the king. “The old woman continued: ‘Hast thou no store of treasure in the House of Dalliance? Shalt thou not give this utterly to thy country’s needs?’ “The king held silence as she spake thus, marvelling that any one dared so venture. To live without days in the House of Dalliance would have been to him the wisdom of a fool, sacrificing the only means of comfort, he knew for his wearied mind. “Well he knew the store of treasure in that house bound the nymph to him, for light was she as a weaver’s shuttle, and her thoughts little longer in the same place. And as he thought thus, he became greatly wrath with the old woman, so that he cried out, ‘Who art thou, who darest so to speak to me? Who art thou, I say?’ “And very quietly the words came in answer, ‘It is the nymph Ia who speaks to thee--it is Ia who speaks.’