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The Story of Vain Lamorna.
11

“Let us go down to the water's edge,” said she, taking Erick’s arm; and then they strolled down to the beach together.

The sea was smooth as glass, and the bright big moon made it almost as bright as day. A row of steep rocks stood out into the sea, and on to these Lamorna would go, because she wanted to bend over and see herself in her scarlet hand- kerchief in the moonlight. So they sat down on the edge of the rocks, and Lamorna leaned down till she could see all her figure and her pretty face in the deep clear water. And, when they saw her appearing, the elves who watched gave notice to all the others, who stood waiting in a crowd with their ropes in their hands.

“Look at the moon, dear Lamorna,” said Erick. “See how beautiful it is !”

“Yes, it is lovely,” said she. But she did not lift her eyes from her own image. Then, at a given signal, the water elves threw up their sand ropes, and caught her reflection, and all pulled it together, and Lamorna started back with a shudder.

“Erick,” she cried, gasping, “is anything the matter with the moon? Is it gone behind a cloud?”

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