The Princess and the Goblin

cess's K

he sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables. If it had no

er. This part of the garden lay on the slope of the hill and allowed a full view of the country below. So she shaded her eyes with her hand and looked far away to catch the first glimpse of shining armour. In a few moments a little troop came glit

scern the flashing of the stones in the sun. It was a long time since he had been to see her, and her little heart beat faster and faster as the shining troop approached, for she loved her king-papa very dearly and was nowhere so happy as in

them. When the horsemen pulled up she ran to the side of the white horse and held up her arms. The kin

the two together were like a cloud with streaks of the sun woven through it. After he had held her to his heart for a minute he spoke to his white horse, and the great beautiful creature, which had been prancing so proudly a little while before, walked as gently as a lady-for he knew he had a little lady on his back-through the gate and up to the door of the house. The

drunk he turned to the prince

d, what shall

ther; and Irene had been waiting for it with some impatience, for now, she th

take me to see my gr

ooked grav

y little dau

p in the tower-the very old lady, yo

ittle princess with a look w

he went on; 'but I've not been in there

the king, v

ght it was; but I couldn't be sure. Now I am sure of it

and settled upon Irene's head. She broke into a merry laugh

u'll pull out my hair with you

open window, when its Whiteness made one flash in the sun and vanished. The king laid his hand on his

have a walk in the ga

, great, beautiful grandmother, th

invited me, you know, and great old ladies like her do

quite wild. Tufts of heather grew upon them, and other hardy mountain plants and flowers, while near them would be lovely roses and lilies and all pleasant garden flowers.

self. There was a little winding path up to the top of the rock, and on top another seat; but they sat on the s

late one eve

my fault; and Loo

Lootie about it,

he's been so afraid of being late ever since! Indeed sh

rmured the king to himself, a

am sure Curdie had not told him. Someone abo

out of an opening in the rock by where they sat, and sped away down the hill through the garden. Then he rose an

d him, with orders that three of them should watch outside the house every night, walking round