CHAPTER X. BIRDALONE COMES TO THE ISLE OF THE QUEENS
Birdalone awoke the next morning while the boat was yet speeding over
the water, and the sun was up: but she was hard on the land, which
sat low and green, like a meadow exceeding fair, on the bosom of the
water, and many goodly trees were sprinkled about the greenland. But
from amidst the trees, no great way from the water's edge, rose a
great house, white and fair, as if it were new-builded, and all
glorious with pinnacles, and tabernacles set with imagery.
Presently the boat's bows ran into the reed and rush at the brim of
the water, and Birdalone stepped ashore without more ado, and the
scent of the meadow-sweet amongst which she landed brought back unto
her the image of Green Eyot that while agone.
But now when she was ashore the dread took hold of her again, and her
knees trembled under her, so that she might scarce stand, so fearful
was she of walking into some trap; especially when she beheld that
goodly house, lest therein awaited her some proud and cruel lady, and
no kind damsels to deliver her.
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