The Star Dreamer by Egerton Castle

Be mine a philosopher's life in the quiet woodland ways, Where, if I cannot be gay, let a passionless peace be my lot. Far off from the clamour of liars,. And most of all would I flee from the cruel madness of love, The poison of honey-flowers, and all the measureless ills! -TENNYSON (_Maud_).

The moon, fulfilling its lower summer circuit, had moved already a considerable span upon the wondrous measure that, to the watcher, seems imperceptibly slow, and yet, like the passing of the hour, asserts itself with such irrevocable swiftness. The night had deepened from pale sapphire to dark amethyst. Below, all around, the great woods at Bindon, silver-crested southwards, whispered; and the light airs that stirred them gathered sweets from the rose-gardens and spices from the Herbary before reaching the two on their tower. These airs, Ellinor thought, must pass on their way again, heavy with the sighs of her heart!