Let me again hear you sing that lay of the land of flowers; for I am sure that it will now sound much sweeter than when you accompanied it with the vibrations of your fearful harp." The young knight bowed as he prepared to obey the lady's commands.

With a grace and softness hitherto unwonted, the tones resounded from his lips, and the wild song appeared to transform itself, and to bloom into a garden of the blessed.

Tears stood in Gabrielle's eyes; and Sintram, as he gazed on the pearly brightness, poured forth tones of yet richer sweetness.

When the last notes were sounded, Gabrielle's angelic voice was heard to echo them; and as she repeated, "Sing heigh, sing ho, for that land of flowers," Sintram put down the lute, and sighed with a thankful glance towards the stars, now rising in the heavens.

Then Gabrielle, turning towards her lord, murmured these words: "Oh, how long have we been far away from our own shining castles and bright gardens! Oh, for that land of the sweetest flowers!" Sintram could scarce believe that he heard aright, so suddenly did he feel himself as if shut out from paradise.