convince me that Creeping Shadow
is a traitor," she answered. "Why should I trust your word in place of
what I know of her? The day of my deliverance may be far off, the way of
its accomplishment may be hard, but I shall be freed at last. For this
my faithful servants work, as you shall find."

Still the Wizard sought to stir her, to break down her courage. "How
unfortunate it is that you have no prince to aid in this good work," he
taunted. "Such a prince as Radiance, perhaps--he, whom you ran such risks
to aid. But he has returned to the Land of Fire with his pale princess
and will hardly trouble himself now to release you from the punishment
that you are enduring because of him."

Proudly the Shadow Witch raised her head, and for the first time since
her imprisonment there were tears in her beautiful eyes. "Whether or no
he remembers me in the midst of his joy," she answered, "Whether or no
he will succor me in my need, I shall never be sorry that I helped him
to deliver his Princess. He it was who first brought brightness into my
dreary land. He it was, who, for the first time in my life, made me to
know what it is to be noble. Happy am I, then, even here and now, that
it was given me to serve him. Proud am I with a far different pride than
any that I have known before."

The Wizard heard her in amaze. Had his sister taken leave of her
senses? What had come over the mischief-loving Shadow Witch that she
should speak in this fashion? "You behave strangely, sister," he replied
sharply. "Can it be that it was something more than the mere pleasure of
outwitting and injuring me that led you to aid this impudent stranger,
enemy to your people and to all who dwell in this land?"

"Ay," returned the Shadow Witch boldly. "It was indeed something more. I
could not see one so brave and good become the victim of your evil
magic; nor allow his happiness to be destroyed by those wicked ones who
plotted for his destruction. He has awakened me to what we are, and I
tell you now that if once I escape from the power of your dark spell, I
shall bid you and your friends farewell forever. If in my own Land of
Shadows I can cause to spring up a better magic than it has known
heretofore, it will be well. But if that hope proves vain, I shall
forsake my home, and go to that land of brightness and good magic from
whence this prince came, and there learn nobler ways and find a truer
home."

At these words of his sister, the Wizard burst