‘“If that’s all,” said the devil, “I can help you. Bring me your father, your mother and your four brothers.”

‘The girl gave them up without a sigh. Out of the body of the father the devil fashioned a violin. Out of the white hairs from the mother’s head he made a bow. Out of the four brothers he made the strings and strung them across the fiddle. “Now,” he said, “when your beloved comes, play the instrument.”

‘She did, and when the farmer heard the music he fell under its spell. Never had two people been happier. Nine days passed and the young lovers were walking in the forest when the devil appeared in their path.

‘“I am your lord and master,” he said. “Worship me.”

‘“No,” they said, “never.”

‘The devil laughed and held up his mirror. The farmer saw his reflection and knew it was too late.

‘“Both of you have listened to my music,” said the devil, “and both of you have looked into my mirror. Now you will have to pay the price.”

‘The devil carried them away and the violin lay at the crossroads in the forest until a gypsy happened to find it. He plays it still, driving men and women wild when they hear its intoxicating sound.’

‘I can well believe it,’ Edith said. ‘Will you play again?’ As Demetrius picked up his bow she thought how extraordinary it was that a piece of wood could be transformed into an instrument and the music it made could weave its way into your soul.

And slowly he played the fiddle in a key that sang to the rhythm of her very being and the yearning chords filled with longing were carried softly away into the spring night.

Only when he was leaving did he ask, ‘Would you marry me?’

And she said, ‘Yes.’

They stood a long while, close together, not touching. Finally he put his hand to her face and then he left.

She cleared the plates almost in a trance and knew as if she had always known that she would marry the shepherd.

Chapter Two

A Tall Tale From Thin Thread

Love came later, or so Edith told herself, though she wasn’t sure that she believed that. Every night Demetrius sat with her on the verandah and she felt the stars had aligned to bring her the shepherd and his violin. She hadn’t known until then how love could transform you. The mountain appeared more beautiful than she had ever seen it; the fresh leaves on the little walnut tree in the yard seemed greener, brighter.

Such happiness as she felt with Demetrius was intoxicating and she feared that in her passion she might lose her footing and be swept away.

‘Where do I begin and where do you end?’ she asked him.

He thought for a while and said, ‘When two rivers collide can you tell, in that whirling water, which river was which?’