He must have been longing for the sound of it,
for he started and looked eagerly in her direction. His tall form
straightened as he passed his hand over his brow. It was but a voice
from his dream, he thought. "Aren't you afraid you'll get wet?" asked
the same low, sweet voice, with the suggestion of a laugh behind
it. With long strides he crossed the pavement and stood almost directly
beneath her.
"Your highness!" he exclaimed gently, joyously. "What are you doing out
there?"
"Wondering, Baldos--wondering what you were thinking of as you stood
under the lamp over there."
"I was thinking of your highness," he called up, softly.
"No, no!" she protested.
"I, too, was wondering--wondering what you were dreaming of as you
slept, for you should be asleep at this hour, your highness, instead of
standing out there in the rain."
"Baldos," she called down tremulously, "you don't like this work, do
you?"
"It has nothing but darkness in it for me. I never see the light of your
eyes. I never feel the--"
"Sh! You must not talk like that. It's not proper, and besides someone
may be listening. The night has a thousand ears--or is it eyes? But
listen: to-morrow you shall be restored to your old duties. You surely
cannot believe that I had anything to do with the order which compels
you to work at this unholy hour."
"I was afraid you were punishing me for my boldness.
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