to her own tree. And always an apple fell into her lap, and always it told her that it was Silvio whom she loved.
There came a day when there was only one apple upon the tree. Then was she afraid, for she said, "How shall I know whom I love when the tree is empty?" So she went near to it. Very close, then, she felt to Silvio, and he to her; and suddenly she stretched out her arms, and said, "Apple-tree, apple-tree, you have seen whom it is that I love. Send him back to me!" And she put her arms round the tree, and clung to it, crying, "Comfort me!" And it moved within her arms. Whereupon she was frightened, and drew her arms away, putting her hands before her eyes . . . and when she opened her eyes, there was Silvio waiting for her, a golden apple in his hand. But there was no apple-tree.
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