i lost the rest of the sentence, for my mind had recurred, with a great shock of

surprise, to lady muriel orme, who had so lately uttered these very words of

sylvie's—yes, and in sylvie's own voice, and with sylvie's gentle pleading eyes!

“follow me!” were the next words i heard, as the old man waved his hand, with a

dignified grace that ill suited his ragged dress, over a bush, that stood by the

road side, which began instantly to sink into the earth. at another time i might

have doubted the evidence of my eyes, or at least have felt some astonishment: but,

in this strange scene, my whole being seemed absorbed in strong curiosity as to

what would happen next.

when the bush had sunk quite out of our sight, marble steps were seen, leading

downwards into darkness. the old man led the way, and we eagerly followed.

the staircase was so dark, at first, that i could only just see the forms of the

children, as, hand-in-hand, they groped their way down after their guide: but it

got lighter every moment, with a strange silvery brightness, that seemed to exist

in the air, as there were no lamps visible; and, when at last we reached a level

floor, the room, in which we found ourselves, was almost as light as day.

it was eight-sided, having in each angle a slender pillar, round which silken

draperies were twined. the wall between the pillars was entirely covered, to the

height of six or seven feet, with creepers, from which hung quantities of ripe

fruit and of brilliant flowers, that almost hid the leaves. in another place,

perchance, i might have wondered to see fruit and flowers growing together: here,

my chief wonder was that neither fruit nor flowers were such as i had ever seen

before. higher up, each wall contained a circular window of coloured glass; and

over all was an arched roof, that seemed to be spangled all over with jewels.

with hardly less wonder, i turned this way and that, trying to make out how in the

world we had come in: for there was no door: and all the walls were thickly covered

with the lovely creepers.

“we are safe here, my darlings!” said the old man, laying a hand on sylvie's

shoulder, and bending down to kiss her. sylvie drew back hastily, with an offended

air: but in another moment, with a glad cry of “why, it's father!”, she had run

into his arms.

{image...a beggar's palace}

“father! father!” bruno repeated: and, while the happy children were being hugged

and kissed, i could but rub my eyes and say “where, then, are the rags gone to?”;

for the old man was now dressed in royal robes that glittered with jewels and gold

embroidery, and wore a circlet of gold around his head.