So he aided her to dismount; then, saying he would tether the horses, he led them away some distance, so that she could not see where he had posted them; and he returned to her, smiling still. Then he took from his pocket some bread, and breaking the loaf in two, gave her one half, saying: "There is a spring just here; so we shall have a good breakfast." "Is this your breakfast?" she asked with a wondering laugh. Then she began to eat, and cried directly: "How delicious this bread is! I would have nothing else for breakfast"; and at this the student laughed. Yet Osra ate little of the bread she liked so well; presently she leant against her lover's shoulder, and he put his arm round her; and they sat for a little while in silence listening to the soft sounds that filled the waking woods as day grew to fulness and the sun beat warm through the sheltering foliage. "Don't you hear the trees?" Osra whispered to her lover. "Don't you hear them? They are whispering for me what I dare not whisper." "What is it they whisper, sweet?" he asked; he himself did no more than whisper. "The trees whisper, 'Love, love, love.' And the wind--don't you hear the wind murmuring, 'Love, love, love'? And the birds sing, 'Love, love, love.' Aye, all the world to-day is softly whispering, 'Love, love, love.' What else should the great world whisper but my love? For my love is greater than the world." And she suddenly hid her face in her hands; and he could kiss no more than her hands, though her eyes gleamed at him from between slim white fingers. But suddenly her hands dropped, and she leant forward as though she listened. "What is that sound?" she asked, apprehension dawning in her eyes. "It is but another whisper, love!" said he. "Nay, but it sounds to me like--ah, like the noise of horses galloping." "It is but the stream, beating over stones." "Listen, listen, listen!" she cried springing to her feet. "They are horses' hoofs! Ah, merciful God, it is the King!" And she caught him by the hand and pulled him to his feet, looking at him with a face pale and alarmed. "Not the King," said he. "He would not know yet. It is some one else. Hide your face, dear lady, and all will be well." "It is the King," she cried. "Hark how they gallop on the road! It is my brother. Love, he will kill you, love, he will kill you." "It is the King," said he, "I have been betrayed." "The horses, the horses!" she cried. "By your love for me, the horses!" He nodded his head, and, turning, disappeared among the trees. She stood with clasped hands, heaving breast, and fearful eyes, awaiting his return. Minutes passed and he did not come. She flung herself on her knees, beseeching heaven for his life. At last he came alone, and he bent over her, taking her hand. "My love," said he, "the horses are gone!" "Gone?" she cried, gripping his hand.