“‘Yes, easily,’ replied Purity, ’and since you know that you need me, you are ready, and the King welcomes all.’

“‘He will not like me,’ said the sorry man, ‘because nobody does.’

“‘I do,’ replied the child; and at her tone the man’s heart swelled a little more.

“‘There is water in my eyes,’ he said, as if to himself.  ’What does that mean?’

“‘It will make you see better,’ replied the child.  ’It is the kind of water that softens the heart, and that always improves the sight.’

“’Be it so, then.  Perhaps I can better see the way; but the road is full of perils innumerable, child.  Have you found some other path?’

“‘There is but one,’ replied Purity.

“‘So the roc said,’ declared the man.  ‘How did you pass the dragon?’

“The child looked up wonderingly.  ‘I saw no dragon,’ she answered.

“The man stared at her.  ‘There are pitfalls and obstacles innumerable,’ he repeated, ’and an ever-wakeful dragon.  You passed it in the night, perhaps, and were too small to be observed.’

“‘I saw none,’ repeated the child.

“‘Yet I will risk it!’ exclaimed the man.  ’Rather death than this life.  Wait until I buckle on my sword and order our horses.’

“He turned to go, but the child caught his hand.  ‘We need no horses,’ she said, gently, ‘and what would you with a sword?’

“‘For our defense.’

“The child pressed his hand softly.  ’Those who win to True Delight use only the sword of spirit,’ she answered.

“The man frowned at her, but even frowning he wondered.  Again came the swelling sensation within his breast, which he could not understand.

“The child smiled upon him and started toward the heavy gates and the man followed.  He wondered at himself, but he followed.

“Emerging into the woodland road, Purity took a path too narrow and devious for a horse to tread, but the man saw that it led toward the rising sun.  She seemed perfectly sure of her way, and occasionally turned to look sweetly on the pilgrim whose breast was beginning to quake at thought of the difficulties to come.  No defense had he but his two hands, and no guide but this gentle, white-robed child in her ignorant fearlessness.  Indeed it was worse than being alone, for he must defend her as well as himself.  She was so young and helpless, and she had looked love at him.  With this thought the strange water stood again in his eyes and the narrow heart in his bosom swelled yet more.

“The forest thickened and deepened.  Sharp thorns sprang forth and at last formed a network before the travelers.

“‘You will hurt yourself, Purity!’ cried the man.  ‘Let me go first,’ and pushing by the little child, he tried to break the thorny branches and force a way; but his hands were torn in vain; and seeing the hopelessness, after a long struggle, he turned sadly to his guide.

“‘I told you!’ he said.