"
For the first time the peril of their enterprise seemed to strike,
into her mind, and turned her cheek pale.
"Ah, I forgot! In my happiness I forgot. Mount, mount! Oh, if he found
you!"
He mounted. Once they clasped hands; then they rode swiftly for the
western gate.
"Veil your face," he said; and since he bade her, she obeyed, saying:
"But I can see you through the veil."
The gate stood open, and the gate-warden was not there. They were out
of the city; the morning air blew cold and pure from the meadows along
the river. The horses stretched into an eager gallop. And Osra tore
her veil from her face, and turned on him eyes of radiant triumph.
"It is done," she cried; "it is done!"
"Yes, it is done, my princess," said he.
"And--and it is begun, my prince," said she.
"Yes, and it is begun," said he.
She laughed aloud in absolute joy, and for a moment he also laughed.
But then his face grew grave, and he said:
"I pray you may never grieve for it."
She looked at him with eyes wide in wonder; for an instant she seemed
puzzled, but then she fell again to laughing.
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