The swamp roses, Gillie. It was the mare found them. She-if she hadn't run off-it was almost as if she meant me to see them. Are you saying? . . . I don't know what I'm saying. Yes, she cried, a gay silliness taking her. Drunk with the music and the dancing, drunk with his closeness, she laughed up at him. It was just as in the stories, a kind of magic just like . . . and then she stared at him, confounded. Just like what? But in the stories . . . In the stories . . . what? In the stories . . . In the stories there's a prince, Gillie answered quietly. He held her away then. So the story has come true.
The passage explores a moment of whimsical enchantment experienced by the protagonist, who is captivated by the beauty of a mare that led her to discover the swamp roses. This event triggers a sense of magic, reminiscent of fairy tales, particularly as she finds herself in a joyous and intimate atmosphere, dancing and laughing in proximity to someone special. The connection between reality and fantasy blurs as she contemplates the significance of the roses.
As she reflects on the stories of princes and adventures, she realizes the essence of those tales is manifesting in her life. Her heart is filled with a mixture of excitement and confusion, indicating that her experiences are unfolding in a remarkably story-like fashion. The character Gillie acknowledges this connection, suggesting that the narrative of happiness and love they fondly recall may indeed be materializing before their eyes.