He was not to be the prince she had seen in
dreams. "You are not like anyone else," she said." That is why we
thought of you as--as--as--"
"As one of those unhappy creatures they call princes? Thank fortune,
your highness, I am not yet reduced to such straits. My exile will come
only when you send me away."
They were silent for a long time. Neither was thinking of the hour, or
the fact that her absence in the castle could not be unnoticed. Night
had fallen heavily upon the earth. The two faithful chair-bearers,
respectful but with wonder in their souls, stood afar off and
waited. Baldos and Beverly were alone in their own little world.
"I think I liked you better when you wore the red feather and that
horrid patch of black," she said musingly.
"And was a heart-free vagabond," he added, something imploring in his
voice.
"An independent courtier, if you please, sir," she said severely.
"Do you want me to go back to the hills? I have the patch and the
feather, and my friends are--"
"No! Don't suggest such a thing--yet." She began the protest eagerly and
ended it in confusion.
"Alas, you mean that some day banishment is not unlikely?"
"You don't expect to be a guard all your life, do you?"
"Not to serve the princess of Graustark, I confess. My aim is much
higher. If God lets me choose the crown I would serve, I shall enlist
for life.
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