that he had chanced upon one of the abodes of the enchanted races of Erin, namely the Tuatha De Dana or the Fomorians, whom the sons of Milesius by their might had driven into the mountains and unfrequented places and who, now immortal and invisible, and possessing great druidic power, were worshipped as gods by the Gael.  He knew he was in great peril, but his stout heart did not fail; he was resolved to see this adventure to an end.

As he was about to step out into the open two women came from the door of the grianan.  One of them was old; she leaned upon her companion and in her right hand held a long white wand squared save in the middle where it was rounded for the hand grip, very long, unornamented, and unshod at either extremity.  Naysi paid slight attention to her, though, as she was the first to come forth, he observed these things.  The other was young, tall, slender, and lissom, her raiment costly and splendid like a high queen’s on some solemn day, and like a queen’s her behaviour and her pacing over the flowery lawn.  Never had that hunter seen such a form, so proudly modest and virginal, such sweetness, grace, and majesty of bearing.  Presently, having passed a company of the guards, she flung back the white, half-transparent veil that concealed her face.  Then the sudden radiance was like the coming unlocked for out of a white cloud of that very bright star which shines on the edge of night and morning.  All things were transfigured in her light.  Before her the grass grew greener and more glittering and rare flowers started in her way.  A silver basket of most delicate craftsmanship, the work of some cunning cerd, was on her right arm.  It shone clear and sparkling against her mantle which was exceedingly lustrous, many times folded, darkly crimson, and of substance unknown.  She towered above her aged companion, straight as a pillar of red yew in a king’s house.  So, unwitting, jocund, and innocent, fresh and pure as the morning, she paced over the green lawn, going in the direction of that youth, even Naysi, son of Usna the Ultonian.  Naysi’s loudly beating heart fell silent when he saw how she came straight towards him; he retreated into the forest, so amazing and so confounding was the radiance of that beauty.  A company of those grim warders, silent and watchful, followed close upon the women.  As they went they slipped the muzzles from the mouths of their dogs and lead them forward leashed.  The countenances of the men shewed displeasure.  From the tower the watchman cried aloud words in an unknown tongue, hoarse, barbaric accents charged with energy and strong meaning.  His voice rang terribly in the hollows of the forest.  There was a counter challenge in the forest repeated many times, the voices of men mingled with the baying of hounds.  There was a ring of sentinels and dogs far out in the forest.  The son of Usna had gone through the ring.  For twice seven years and one that astonishing watch and ward had been maintained day and night without relaxation or abatement.  When they came to the edge of the forest Levarcam addressed the commander of that company.  She said, “The Lady Deirdre would be alone with me in the forest for a little space to gather flowers and listen to the music of the birds and the stream, relieved, if but for one moment, of this watching and warding.”