in his deepest slumber, the soul of the king
lay open to the voice of his child, and that voice had power either
to change the aspect of his visions, or, which was better still, to
breathe hope into his heart, and courage to endure them.
Curdie came near, and softly called her.
'I can't leave Papa just yet,' she returned, in a low voice.
'I will wait,' said Curdie; 'but I want very much to say
something.'
In a few minutes she came to him where he stood under the lamp.
'Well, Curdie, what is it?' she said.
'Princess,' he replied, 'I want to tell you that I have found why
your grandmother sent me.'
'Come this way, then, she answered, 'where I can see the face of my
king.'
Curdie placed a chair for her in the spot she chose, where she
would be near enough to mark any slightest change on her father's
countenance, yet where their low-voiced talk would not disturb him.
There he sat down beside her and told her all the story - how her
grandmother had sent her good pigeon for him, and how she had
instructed him, and sent him there without telling him what he had
to do. Then he told her what he had discovered of the state of
things generally in Gwyntystorm, and especially what he had heard
and seen in the palace that night.
'Things are in a bad state enough,' he said in conclusion - 'lying
and selfishness and inhospitality and dishonesty everywhere; and to
crown all, they speak with disrespect of the good king, and not a
man knows he is ill.
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