midnight
A red-lipped flower-girl , on the way home from her day 's business in Londinium with her basket of remaining blossoms , was pressed against his shoulder in the outer edge of the crowd that watched the Saxons feed , as boys gather to see the wild beasts of the arena tear their meat . She turned , saw him , and laughed with gay raillery . `` Couldst even thou , O Silver-tongued , make of these great guzzling cattle a tale ? '' He looked at her with quick artist joy in the vivid color and effect of her , -- red lips , cheeks as brilliant as her roses , black eyes , midnight hair in which a crimson flower was tangled . In her laughing glance , her care-free joyous innocence , he caught a hint , gone as swiftly as it come , of that Other who held his soul . Now he understood the heart and inmost meaning of it ; it was the all-compelling Womanhood , the sacred spark , guarded and precious , which set men 's hearts aflame ; and for him , henceforth , because of that one , it made all women sacred . He answered her , banter for banter .