never they want an' lovely doll-carriages with rubber on the
wheels an'--an' everything's just lovely. Of course every one's daddy's
got lots an' heaps an' piles of money, so they never get behind with the
rent an' never have to set up all night stitching an' stitching like
mumsey an' Hermy have to sometimes. An' I'm Princess Somebody, an'
Hermy's Princess Nobody, an' we're on our ways through the valley of
gloom, trying to find the beautiful City of Perhaps--but oh, it's awful
hard to find!" she ended, with a weary little sigh.

"And yet, Princess, I'm sure we shall find it."

"We? Oh, are you coming too, Prince?" cried the child joyfully.

"To be sure I am!" nodded Ravenslee.

"Oh, goody, I'm glad--so glad, 'cause I know we shall find it now!"

"Why?"

"Well," answered the child, looking at him with her big, wistful eyes,
"'cause you look like you could find it, somehow. You see, Prince,
you've got grey eyes so brave an' true--an' you're big an' strong an'
could carry me an' Hermy over the thorny places when we get very, very
tired--couldn't you?"

"I could!" answered Ravenslee almost grimly, "and I--surely will!"

"When we get there, Prince, I want first--a doll-carriage an' a doll
with lovely blue eyes that wink at you, an' a big box of candy, an' a
new dress for my mumsey, an' no more work, an' I want lots an' lots of
flowers for my daddy 'cause he loves flowers--oh, an' I want my leg t'
be made well. What d' you want, Hermy?"

"Well, dear, I want to--say good-by to my sewing-machine for ever and
ever and ever!"

"Why, Hermy!" exclaimed the child, "last time you said you wanted some
one who could give you your heart's desire!"

"Perhaps that is my heart's desire, little Hazel," said Hermione, rising
and taking up the medicine bottle.

"An' what do you want, Prince?"

"I want a great deal," answered Ravenslee, smiling down into the big,
soft eyes. "I want some one who--is my heart's desire now and for ever
and ever. Good night, dear little Princess!"

"You'll come again, Prince?" she pleaded, holding up her face to be
kissed, "you'll come again soon?"

"As soon as--Princess Nobody will bring me."

"Good night, Hermy dear; you'll bring our Prince again soon?"

"If you wish, dear," said Hermione, stooping to kiss her in turn.

"Why, Hermy--what makes your cheeks so hot to-night?"

"Are they?" said Hermione, making pretence to test them with the back of
her hand.

"Why, yes," nodded the child,