As for Lir, so great was the love he bore them, that at early dawn he
would rise, and, pulling aside the deerskin that separated his
sleeping-room with theirs, would fondle and frolic with the children until
morning broke.
And Bove Derg loved them well-nigh as did Lir himself. Ofttimes would he
come to see them, and ofttimes were they brought to his palace by the
Great Lake.
And through all the Green Isle, where dwelt the Dedannan people, there
also was spread the fame of the beauty of the children of Lir.
* * * * *
Time crept on, and Finola was a maid of twelve summers. Then did a wicked
jealousy find root in Eva's heart, and so did it grow that it strangled
the love which she had borne her sister's children. In bitterness she
cried, 'Lir careth not for me; to Finola and her brothers hath he given
all his love.'
And for weeks and months Eva lay in bed planning how she might do hurt to
the children of Lir.
At length, one midsummer morn, she ordered forth her chariot, that with
the four children she might come to the palace of Bove Derg.
When Finola heard it, her fair face grew pale, for in a dream had it been
revealed unto her that Eva, her step-mother, should that day do a dark
deed among those of her own household. Therefore was Finola sore afraid,
but only her large eyes and pale cheeks spake her woe, as she and her
brothers drove along with Eva and her train.
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