discouraged, for no sign could he find of any hope or cheer in the
whole Valley of Vain Regret, and it seemed to him to hold him like a
prisoner.

"One day as he was strolling on the terrace before the castle, in bitter
thought, a strange sight met his eyes. A little girl pushed open the great
iron gates which he had thought were locked, and walked toward him. For a
minute he was too much amazed at such daring to speak, and the little girl
came forward, smiling as she caught his look. She had dark eyes and her
brown hair curled in her neck. Most people would have remarked her sweet
expression; but the old man turned fierce at sight of her.

"'Be off,' he commanded angrily, and he pointed to the gate.

"She did not cease smiling nor turn away, but came straight on.

"The little dried heart in the old man's breast began to bounce about at a
great rate in his anger. He turned to a servant who stood near holding in
leash two great hounds.

"'Set the dogs on her,' he commanded; and though the servant was loath to
obey, he dared not refuse, and set free the dogs who, at the master's word,
bounded swiftly toward the child.

"Her loving look did not alter as she saw them coming and she held out her
hands to them. When they reached her they licked the little hands with
their tongues and bent their great heads to her caresses, and so she
advanced to the man, walking between the hounds, a hand on the neck of
each.

"He stared at her dumfounded as she stood before him, her eyes smiling up
into his. Her garments were white and of a strange fashion.

"'From whence come you?' he asked, when he could speak.

"'From the Heavenly Country,' she answered.

"'And what may be your name?'

"'Purity.'

"'I ordered you out of my grounds!' exclaimed the old man.

"'I did not hear it,' returned the child, unmoved.

"'Don't you fear the dogs?'

"'What is fear?' asked Purity, her eyes wondering.

"'This is the land of Vain Regret,' said the man. 'Be off!'

"'This is a beautiful land,' returned the child.

"For a moment her fearless obstinacy held him silent, then he thought he
would voice the question that was always with him.

"'Have you ever heard, in your country, of the Castle of True Delight?' he
asked.

"'Often,' replied the child.

"'I wish to go there,' he declared eagerly.

"'Then why not?' returned Purity.

"'I cannot find the way.'

"'That is a pity,' said the child. 'It is in my country.'

"'And you have