r face was buried in her delicate hands. Her
long black hair hung loose over her drooped shoulders and grey garments,
and fell in masses upon the ground. Plunged as she was in deep despair,
even the opening of the wall had failed as yet to make her sensible of
the coming of her brother and his servants.

Beholding her thus, Prince Ember was stirred to deepest pity, and his
heart burned to speak some instant word of comfort. With a powerful
effort he restrained himself, for to betray his presence to the Wizard
now would be to encounter he knew not what evil power, to endanger his
chance of delivering her whom he had come to save.

That which so moved the heart of the Prince to compassion, awoke only
malicious delight in the Wizard's breast.

"Ah, my sister," he said mockingly, drawing near to her, "I find you
less confident today than when we last met. Hope fades I see."

His voice aroused her. She lifted her head and raised herself slowly to
her feet, and as she turned herself toward the Wizard, Prince Ember
beheld her face for the first time.

He looked upon its wondrous beauty, he saw upon it the marks of the pain
that she had endured, he gazed into the splendor of her great dark eyes,
and love for her rose within him like a flood, a love so warm, so
strong, that he knew instantly, and for a certainty, that in her he had
found his true Princess, she whom he could not choose but love with his
whole heart. Thrilled with joy because of it, he waited for her voice.

Silvery calm it fell upon his ear as she answered the Wizard. "Though
hope may seem to fade for a moment, brother, it rises fast and soon, for
there is that within my breast that tells me that you cannot always
hold me thus."

She would have given much had the Wizard not found her sunken in
despair, but since he had done so, she was determined that he should not
guess how deep that despair had been.

The Wizard smiled contemptuously at her words, and added taunt to taunt.
"It tells you, perchance, of that Prince, then, who lingers near the
Cave Mouth, seeking entrance, in the belief, no doubt, that he can
succeed in snatching you from this prison, and from my power. But let
him not deceive himself. My guards are many and watchful--my friends
without are strong and clever. He will never be able to escape all of
these, try how he may."

The Shadow Witch started violently at such unexpected words. The help
that she had yearned for had come! Prince Radia