looking round him;
then he beckoned Roderick to approach, looking at him kindly, and
spoke to him gently, saying that he had waited for him long. They
walked together to the crag, and then, in some way that Roderick could
not clearly see, the man opened a door into the mountain, and Roderick
saw a glimmering passage within. The air came out laden with a rich
and heavy fragrance, and there was a faint sound of distant music in
the hill. The man turned and looked upon Roderick as though inviting
him to enter; but Roderick shook his head and refused, saying that he
was not ready; at which the man stepped inside with a smile, half of
pity, and the door was shut.

Then Roderick woke with a start and wished that he had been bold
enough to go within the door; the light came in serenely through the
window, and he heard the faint piping of awakening birds in the dewy
trees. He could not sleep, and presently dressed himself and went
down. Soon the household was awake, for the knight was to start
betimes; Roderick sate at the early meal with his father and mother.
His father was cumbered with the thought of the troublesome journey,
and asked many questions about the baggage; so Roderick said little,
but felt his mother's eyes dwell on his face with love. Soon after
they rode away; Roderick stood at the door to see them go, and there
was so eager and bright a look in his face that his mother was somehow
troubled, and almost called him to her to make him repeat his promise,
but she feared that he would feel that she did not trust him, and
therefore put the thought aside; and so they rode away, his mother
waving her hand till they turned the corner by the wood and were out
of sight.

Then Roderick began to consider how he would spend the day, with a
half-formed design in his mind; when suddenly the temptation to visit
the pool came upon him with a force that he had neither strength nor
inclination to resist. So he took his rod, which might seem to be an
excuse, and set off rapidly up the stream. He was surprised to find
how swiftly the hills rose all about him, and how easily he went; very
soon he came to the top; and there lay the pool in front of him,
within the shadow of the peak, that rose behind it very clear and
sharp. He hesitated no longer, but ran lightly down the slope, and
next moment he was on the brink of the pool. It lay before him very
bright and pure, like a jewel of sapphire, the water being of a deep
azure blue;