of fact he stepped in on to my toes; a dozen hands
were on the gunwales: six soldier yells resounded, it seemed, in my
very ears: there was the grit and rush of pebbles under the keel: a
sudden lurch up of the bows, which brought the fairy lady's
honey-scented lips to mine, and then the gentle lapping of deep blue
waters underneath us!

There is little more to be said of that voyage. We pulled until out of
sight of the town, then hoisted sail, and, with a fair wind, held upon
one tack until we made an island where there was a small colony of
Hither folk.

Here our friend turned back. I gave him another gold button from my
coat, and the princess a kiss upon either cheek, which he seemed to
like even more than the button. It was small payment, but the best we
had. Doubtless he got safely home, and I can but hope that Providence
somehow or other paid him and his wife for a good deed bravely done.

Those islanders in turn lent us another boat, with a guide, who had
business in the Hither capital, and on the evening of the second day,
the direct route being very short in comparison, we were under the
crumbling marble walls of Seth.

CHAPTER XX

It was like turning into a hothouse from a keen winter walk, our
arrival at the beautiful but nerveless city after my life amongst the
woodmen.

As for the people, they were delighted to have their princess back, but
with the delight of children, fawning about her, singing, clapping
hands, yet asking no questions as to where she had been, showing no
appreciation of our adventures--a serious offence in my eyes--and,
perhaps most important of all, no understanding of what I may call the
political bearings of Heru's restoration, and how far their arch
enemies beyond the sea might be inclined to attempt her recovery.

They were just delighted to have the princess back, and that was the
end of it. Theirs was the joy of a vast nursery let loose. Flower
processions were organised, garlands woven by the mile, a general order
issued that the nation might stay up for an hour after bedtime, and in
the vortex of that gentle rejoicing Heru was taken from me, and I saw
her no more, till there happened the wildest scene of all you have
shared with me so patiently.

Overlooked, unthanked, I turned sulky, and when this mood, one I can
never maintain for long, wore off, I threw myself into the dissipation
about me with angry zeal. I am frankly ashamed of the confession, but
I was