CHAPTER6
TheEmeraldFatherandsonhadseatedthemselvesonaprojectingpieceofrockatacornerwherethreegalleriesmet—theonetheyhadcomealongfromtheirwork，onetotherightleadingoutofthemountain，andtheothertotheleftleadingfarintoaportionofitwhichhadbeenlongdisused。Sincetheinundationcausedbythegoblins，ithadindeedbeenrenderedimpassablebythesettlementofaquantityofthewater，formingasmallbutverydeeplake，inapartwheretherewasaconsiderabledescent。
Theyhadjustrisenandwereturningtotheright，whenagleamcaughttheireyes，andmadethemlookalongthewholegallery。Faruptheysawapalegreenlight，whenceissuingtheycouldnottell，abouthalfwaybetweenfloorandroofofthepassage。Theysawnothingbutthelight，whichwaslikealargestar，withapointofdarkercolouryetbrighterradianceintheheartofit，whencetherestofthelightshotoutinraysthatfadedtowardtheendsuntiltheyvanished。Itshedhardlyanylightaroundit，althoughinitselfitwassobrightastostingtheeyesthatbeheldit。
Wonderfulstorieshadfromagesgonebeencurrentintheminesaboutcertainmagicgemswhichgaveoutlightofthemselves，andthislightlookedjustlikewhatmightbesupposedtoshootfromtheheartofsuchagem。
Theywentuptheoldgallerytofindoutwhatitcouldbe。Totheirsurprisetheyfound，however，that，aftergoingsomedistance，theywerenonearertoit，sofarastheycouldjudge，thanwhentheystarted。Itdidnotseemtomove，andyettheymovingdidnotapproachit。Stilltheypersevered，foritwasfartoowonderfulathingtolosesightof，solongastheycouldkeepit。Atlengththeydrewnearthehollowwherethewaterlay，andstillwerenonearerthelight。Wheretheyexpectedtobestoppedbythewater，however，waterwasnone：somethinghadtakenplaceinsomepartoftheminethathaddraineditoff，andthegallerylayopenasinformertimes。
Andnow，totheirsurprise，thelight，insteadofbeinginfrontofthem，wasshiningatthesamedistancetotheright，wheretheydidnotknowtherewasanypassageatall。Thentheydiscovered，bythelightofthelanternstheycarried，thattherethewaterhadbrokenthrough，andmadeanentrancetoapartofthemountainofwhichPeterknewnothing。Buttheywerehardlywellintoit，stillfollowingthelight，beforeCurdiethoughtherecognizedsomeofthepassageshehadsooftengonethroughwhenhewaswatchingthegoblins。
Aftertheyhadadvancedalongway，withmanyturnings，nowtotheright，nowtotheleft，allatoncetheireyesseemedtocomesuddenlytothemselves，andtheybecameawarethatthelightwhichtheyhadtakentobeagreatwayfromthemwasinrealityalmostwithinreachoftheirhands。
Thesameinstantitbegantogrowlargerandthinner，thepointoflightgrewdimasitspread，thegreennessmeltedaway，andinamomentortwo，insteadofthestar，adark，darkandyetluminousfacewaslookingatthemwithlivingeyes。AndCurdiefeltagreataweswellupinhisheart，forhethoughthehadseenthoseeyesbefore。
’Iseeyouknowme，Curdie，’saidavoice。
’ifyoureyesareyou，ma’am，thenIknowyou，’saidCurdie。’ButIneversawyourfacebefore。’
’Yes，youhaveseenit，Curdie，’saidthevoice。Andwiththatthedarknessofitscomplexionmeltedaway，anddownfromthefacedawnedouttheformthatbelongedtoit，untilatlastCurdieandhisfatherbeheldalady，beautifulexceedingly，dressedinsomethingpalegreen，likevelvet，overwhichherhairfellincataractsofarichgoldencolour。itlookedasifitwerepouringdownfromherhead，and，likethewateroftheDustbrook，vanishinginagoldenvapourereitreachedthefloor。Itcameflowingfromundertheedgeofacoronetofgold，setwithalternatedpearlsandemeralds。Infrontofthecrownwasagreatemerald，whichlookedsomehowasifoutofithadcomethelighttheyhadfollowed。
Therewasnoornamentelseabouther，exceptonherslippers，whichwereonemassofgleamingemeralds，ofvariousshadesofgreen，allminglinglovelilylikethewavingofgrassinthewindandsun。
Shelookedaboutfive—and—twentyyearsold。Andforallthedifference，Curdieknewsomehoworother，hecouldnothavetoldhow，thatthefacebeforehimwasthatoftheoldprincess，Irene’sgreat—great—grandmother。
Bythistimeallaroundthemhadgrownlight，andnowfirsttheycouldseewheretheywere。Theystoodinagreatsplendidcavern，whichCurdierecognizedasthatinwhichthegoblinsheldtheirstateassemblies。But，strangetotell，thelightbywhichtheysawcamestreaming，sparkling，andshootingfromstonesofmanycoloursinthesidesandroofandfloorofthecavern—stonesofallthecoloursoftherainbow，andmanymore。Itwasaglorioussight—thewholeruggedplaceflashingwithcolours—inonespotagreatlightofdeepcarbuncularred，inanotherofsapphirineblue，inanotheroftopazyellow;whilehereandthereweregroupsofstonesofallhuesandsizes，andagainnebulousspacesofthousandsoftiniestspotsofbrilliancyofeveryconceivableshade。Sometimesthecoloursrantogether，andmadealittleriverorlakeoflambent，interfusing，andchangingtints，which，bytheirvariegation，seemedtoimitatetheflowingofwater，orwavesmadebythewind。
Curdiewouldhavegazedentranced，butthatallthebeautyofthecavern，yes，ofallheknewofthewholecreation，seemedgatheredinonecentreofharmonyandlovelinessinthepersonoftheancientladywhostoodbeforehimintheverysummerofbeautyandstrength。Turningfromthefirstglanceatthecircuadjacentsplendour，itdwindledintonothingashelookedagainatthelady。
Nothingflashedorglowedorshoneabouther，andyetitwaswithaprevisionofthetruththathesaid，’Iwashereoncebefore，ma’am。’
’Iknowthat，Curdie，’shereplied。
’Theplacewasfulloftorches，andthewallsgleamed，butnothingastheydonow，andthereisnolightintheplace。’
’Youwanttoknowwherethelightcomesfrom？’shesaid，smiling。
’Yes，ma’am。’
’Thensee：Iwillgooutofthecavern。Donotbeafraid，butwatch。’
Shewentslowlyout。Themomentsheturnedherbacktogo，thelightbegantopaleandfade;themomentshewasoutoftheirsighttheplacewasblackasnight，savethatnowthesmokyyellow—redoftheirlamps，whichtheythoughthadgoneoutlongago，castaduskyglimmeraroundthem。
CHAPTER7
WhatIsinaName？
Foratimethatseemedtothemlong，thetwomenstoodwaiting，whilestilltheMotherofLightdidnotreturn。Solongwassheabsentthattheybegantogrowanxious：howweretheytofindtheirwayfromthenaturalhollowsofthemountaincrossedbygoblinpaths，iftheirlampsshouldgoout？Tospendthenighttherewouldmeantositandwaituntilanearthquakerentthemountain，ortheearthherselffellbackintothesmeltingfurnaceofthesunwhenceshehadissued—foritwasallnightandnofaintestdawninthebosomoftheworld。
Solongdidtheywaitunrevisited，that，hadtherenotbeentwoofthem，eitherwouldatlengthhaveconcludedthevisionahome—bornproductofhisownseethingbrain。Andtheirlampsweregoingout，fortheygrewredderandsmokier！Buttheydidnotlosecourage，forthereisakindofcapillaryattractioninthefacingoftwosouls，thatliftsfaithquitebeyondtheleveltowhicheithercouldraiseitalone：theyknewthattheyhadseentheladyofemeralds，anditwastogivethemtheirowndesirethatshehadgonefromthem，andneitherwouldyieldforamomenttothehalfdoubtsandhalfdreadsthatawokeinhisheart。
Andstillshewhowithherabsencedarkenedtheirairdidnotreturn。Theygrewweary，andsatdownontherockyfloor，forwaittheywould—indeed，waittheymust。Eachsethislampbyhisknee，andwatcheditdie。Slowlyitsank，dulled，lookedlazyandstupid。Buteverasitsankanddulled，theimageinhismindoftheLadyofLightgrewstrongerandclearer。Togetherthetwolampspantedandshuddered。Firstone，thentheotherwentout，leavingforamomentagreat，red，evil—smellingsnuff。Thenallwastheblacknessofdarknessuptotheirveryheartsandeverywherearoundthem。Wasit？No。Faraway—itlookedmilesaway—shoneoneminutefaintpointofgreenlight—where，whocouldtell？Theyonlyknewthatitshone。itgrewlarger，andseemedtodrawnearer，untilatlast，astheywatchedwithspeechlessdelightandexpectation，itseemedoncemorewithinreachofanoutstretchedhand。Thenitspreadandmeltedawayasbefore，andtherewereeyes—andaface—andalovelyform—andlo！thewholecavernblazingwithlightsinnumerable，andgorgeous，yetsoftandinterfused—soblended，indeed，thattheeyehadtosearchandseeinordertoseparatedistinctspotsofspecialcolour。
Themomenttheysawthespeckinthevastdistancetheyhadrisenandstoodontheirfeet。Whenitcamenearertheybowedtheirheads。Yetnowtheylookedwithfearlesseyes，forthewomanthatwasoldyetyoungwasajoytosee，andfilledtheirheartswithreverentdelight。SheturnedfirsttoPeter。
’Ihaveknownyoulong，’shesaid。’Ihavemetyougoingtoandfromthemine，andseenyouworkinginitforthelastfortyyears。’
’Howshoulditbe，madam，thatagrandladylikeyoushouldtakenoticeofapoormanlikeme？’saidPeter，humbly，butmorefoolishlythanhecouldthenhaveunderstood。
’Iampooraswellasrich，’saidshe。’I，too，workformybread，andIshowmyselfnofavourwhenIpaymyselfmyownwages。Lastnightwhenyousatbythebrook，andCurdietoldyouaboutmypigeon，andmyspinning，andwonderedwhetherhecouldbelievethathehadactuallyseenme，Iheardwhatyousaidtoeachother。Iamalwaysabout，astheminerssaidtheothernightwhentheytalkedofmeasOldMotherWotherwop。’
Thelovelyladylaughed，andherlaughwasalightningofdelightintheirsouls。
’Yes，’shewenton，’youhavegottothankmethatyouaresopoor，Peter。Ihaveseentothat，andithasdonewellforbothyouandme，myfriend。Thingscometothepoorthatcan’tgetinatthedooroftherich。Theirmoneysomehowblocksitup。Itisagreatprivilegetobepoor，Peter—onethatnomanevercoveted，andbutaveryfewhavesoughttoretain，butonethatyetmanyhavelearnedtoprize。Youmustnotmistake，however，andimagineitavirtue;itisbutaprivilege，andonealsothat，likeotherprivileges，maybeterriblymisused。Hadyoubeenrich，myPeter，youwouldnothavebeensogoodassomerichmenIknow。AndnowIamgoingtotellyouwhatnooneknowsbutmyself：you，Peter，andyourwifebothhavethebloodoftheroyalfamilyinyourveins。Ihavebeentryingtocultivateyourfamilytree，everybranchofwhichisknowntome，andIexpectCurdietoturnoutablossomonit。ThereforeIhavebeentraininghimforaworkthatmustsoonbedone。Iwasnearlosinghim，andhadtosendmypigeon。Hadhenotshotit，thatwouldhavebeenbetter;butherepented，andthatshallbeasgoodintheend。’
SheturnedtoCurdieandsmiled。
’Ma’am，’saidCurdie，’mayIaskquestions？’
’Whynot，Curdie？’
’BecauseIhavebeentold，ma’am，thatnobodymustaskthekingquestions。’
’Thekingnevermadethatlaw，’sheanswered，withsomedispleasure。’Youmayaskmeasmanyasyouplease—thatis，solongastheyaresensible。OnlyImaytakeafewthousandyearstoanswersomeofthem。Butthat’snothing。Ofallthingstimeisthecheapest。’
’Thenwouldyoumindtellingmenow，ma’am，forIfeelveryconfusedaboutit—areyoutheLadyoftheSilverMoon？’
’Yes，Curdie;youmaycallmethatifyoulike。Whatitmeansistrue。’
’AndnowIseeyoudark，andclothedingreen，andthemotherofallthelightthatdwellsinthestonesoftheearth！AnduptheretheycallyouOldMotherWotherwop！AndthePrincessIrenetoldmeyouwerehergreat—great—grandmother！Andyouspinthespiderthreads，andtakecareofawholepeopleofpigeons;andyouareworntoapaleshadowwitholdage;andareasyoungasanybodycanbe，nottobetooyoung;andasstrong，Idobelieve，asIam。’
Theladystoopedtowardalargegreenstonebeddedintherockofthefloor，andlookinglikeawellofgrassylightinit。Shelaidholdofitwithherfingers，brokeitout，andgaveittoPeter。
’There！’criedCurdie。’Itoldyouso。Twentymencouldnothavedonethat。Andyourfingersarewhiteandsmoothasanylady’sintheland。Idon’tknowwhattomakeofit。’
’Icouldgiveyoutwentynamesmoretocallme，Curdie，andnotoneofthemwouldbeafalseone。Whatdoesitmatterhowmanynamesifthepersonisone？’
’Ah！Butitisnotnamesonly，ma’am。Lookatwhatyouwerelikelastnight，andwhatIseeyounow！’
’Shapesareonlydresses，Curdie，anddressesareonlynames。Thatwhichisinsideisthesameallthetime。’
’Butthenhowcanalltheshapesspeakthetruth？’
’itwouldwantthousandsmoretospeakthetruth，Curdie;andthentheycouldnot。ButthereisapointImustnotletyoumistakeabout。ItisonethingtheshapeIchoosetoputon，andquiteanothertheshapethatfoolishtalkandnurserytalemaypleasetoputuponme。Also，itisonethingwhatyouoryourfathermaythinkaboutme，andquiteanotherwhatafoolishorbadmanmayseeinme。Forinstance，ifathiefweretocomeinherejustnow，hewouldthinkhesawthedemonofthemine，allingreenflames，cometoprotecthertreasure，andwouldrunlikeahuntedwildgoat。I
shouldbeallthesame，buthisevileyeswouldseemeasIwasnot。’
’IthinkIunderstand，’saidCurdie。
’Peter，’saidthelady，turningthentohim，’youwillhavetogiveupCurdieforalittlewhile。’
’Solongashelovesus，ma’am，thatwillnotmatter—much。’
’Ah！youarerightthere，myfriend，’saidthebeautifulprincess。
Andasshesaiditsheputoutherhand，andtookthehard，hornyhandoftheminerinit，andhelditforamomentlovingly。
’Ineedsaynomore，’sheadded，’forweunderstandeachother—
youandI，Peter。’
ThetearscameintoPeter’seyes。Hebowedhisheadinthankfulness，andhisheartwasmuchtoofulltospeak。
Thenthegreatold，young，beautifulprincessturnedtoCurdie。
’Now，Curdie，areyouready？’shesaid。
’Yes，ma’am，’answeredCurdie。
’Youdonotknowwhatfor。’
’Youdo，ma’am。Thatisenough。’
’Youcouldnothavegivenmeabetteranswer，ordonemoretoprepareyourself，Curdie，’shereturned，withoneofherradiantsmiles。’Doyouthinkyouwillknowmeagain？’
’Ithinkso。ButhowcanItellwhatyoumaylooklikenext？’
’Ah，thatindeed！Howcanyoutell？OrhowcouldIexpectyoushould？Butthosewhoknowmewell，knowmewhatevernewdressorshapeornameImaybein;andbyandbyyouwillhavelearnedtodosotoo。’
’Butifyouwantmetoknowyouagain，ma’am，forcertainsure，’
saidCurdie，’couldyounotgivemesomesign，ortellmesomethingaboutyouthatneverchanges—orsomeotherwaytoknowyou，orthingtoknowyouby？’
’No，Curdie;thatwouldbetokeepyoufromknowingme。Youmustknowmeinquiteanotherwayfromthat。ItwouldnotbetheleastusetoyouormeeitherifIweretomakeyouknowmeinthatway。
ItwouldbebuttoknowthesignofMe—nottoknowmemyself。itwouldbenobetterthanifIweretotakethisemeraldoutofmycrownandgiveittoyoutotakehomewithyou，andyouweretocallitme，andtalktoitasifitheardandsawandlovedyou。
Muchgoodthatwoulddoyou，Curdie！No;youmustdowhatyoucantoknowme，andifyoudo，youwill。Youshallseemeagaininverydifferentcircumstancesfromthese，and，Iwilltellyousomuch，itmaybeinaverydifferentshape。Butcomenow，Iwillleadyououtofthiscavern;mygoodJoanwillbegettingtooanxiousaboutyou。Onewordmore：youwillallowthatthemenknewlittlewhattheyweretalkingaboutthismorning，whentheytoldallthosetalesofOldMotherWotherwop;butdiditoccurtoyoutothinkhowitwastheyfelltotalkingaboutmeatall？ItwasbecauseIcametothem;Iwasbesidethemallthetimetheyweretalkingaboutme，thoughtheywerefarenoughfromknowingit，andhadverylittlebesidesfoolishnesstosay。’
Asshespokesheturnedandledthewayfromthecavern，which，asifadoorhadbeenclosed，sankintoabsoluteblacknessbehindthem。Andnowtheysawnothingmoreoftheladyexceptthegreenstar，whichagainseemedagooddistanceinfrontofthem，andtowhichtheycamenonearer，althoughfollowingitataquickpacethroughthemountain。Suchwastheirconfidenceinherguidance，however，andsofearlessweretheyinconsequence，thattheyfelttheirwayneitherwithhandnorfoot，butwalkedstraightonthroughthepitch—darkgalleries。Whenatlengththenightoftheupperworldlookedinatthemouthofthemine，thegreenlightseemedtoloseitswayamongthestars，andtheysawitnomore。
Outtheycameintothecool，blessednight。Itwasverylate，andonlystarlight。Totheirsurprise，threepacesawaytheysaw，seateduponastone，anoldcountry—woman，inacloakwhichtheytookforblack。Whentheycamecloseuptoit，theysawitwasred。
’Goodevening！’saidPeter。
’Goodevening！’returnedtheoldwoman，inavoiceasoldasherself。
ButCurdietookoffhiscapandsaid：
’Iamyourservant，Princess。’
Theoldwomanreplied：
’Cometomeinthedovetowertomorrownight，Curdie—alone。’
’Iwill，ma’am，’saidCurdie。
Sotheyparted，andfatherandsonwenthometowifeandmother—
twopersonsinonerich，happywoman。
CHAPTER8
Curdie’sMissionThenextnightCurdiewenthomefromtheminealittleearlierthanusual，tomakehimselftidybeforegoingtothedovetower。Theprincesshadnotappointedanexacttimeforhimtobethere;hewouldgoasnearthetimehehadgonefirstashecould。Onhiswaytothebottomofthehill，hemethisfathercomingup。Thesunwasthendown，andthewarmfirstofthetwilightfilledtheevening。Hecameratherwearilyupthehill：theroad，hethought，musthavegrownsteeperinpartssincehewasCurdie’sage。Hisbackwastothelightofthesunset，whichclosedhimallroundinabeautifulsetting，andCurdiethoughtwhatagrand—lookingmanhisfatherwas，evenwhenhewastired。Itisgreedandlazinessandselfishness，nothungerorwearinessorcold，thattakethedignityoutofaman，andmakehimlookmean。
’Ah，Curdie！Thereyouare！’hesaid，seeinghissoncomeboundingalongasifitweremorningwithhimandnotevening。
’Youlooktired，Father，’saidCurdie。
’Yes，myboy。I’mnotsoyoungasyou。’
’Norsooldastheprincess，’saidCurdie。
’Tellmethis，’saidPeter，’whydopeopletalkaboutgoingdownhillwhentheybegintogetold？Itseemstomethatthenfirsttheybegintogouphill。’
’Youlookedtome，Father，whenIcaughtsightofyou，asifyouhadbeenclimbingthehillallyourlife，andweresoontogettothetop。’
’Nobodycantellwhenthatwillbe，’returnedPeter。’We’resoreadytothinkwe’rejustatthetopwhenitliesmilesaway。ButImustnotkeepyou，myboy，foryouarewanted;andweshallbeanxioustoknowwhattheprincesssaystoyou—thatis，ifshewillallowyoutotellus。’
’Ithinkshewill，forsheknowsthereisnobodymoretobetrustedthanmyfatherandmother，’saidCurdie，withpride。
Andawayheshot，andran，andjumped，andseemedalmosttoflydownthelong，winding，steeppath，untilhecametothegateoftheking’shouse。
Therehemetanunexpectedobstruction：intheopendoorstoodthehousekeeper，andsheseemedtobroadenherselfoutuntilshealmostfilledthedoorway。
’So！’shesaid，’it’syou，isit，youngman？Youarethepersonthatcomesinandgoesoutwhenhepleases，andkeepsrunningupanddownmystairswithouteversayingbyyourleave，orevenwipinghisshoes，andalwaysleavesthedooropen！Don’tyouknowthisismyhouse？’
’No，Idonot，’returnedCurdierespectfully。’Youforget，ma’am，thatitistheking’shouse。’
’Thatisallthesame。Thekingleftittometotakecareof—
andthatyoushallknow！’
’Isthekingdead，ma’am，thathehasleftittoyou？’askedCurdie，halfindoubtfromtheself—assertionofthewoman。
’Insolentfellow！’exclaimedthehousekeeper。’Don’tyouseebymydressthatIamintheking’sservice？’
’AndamInotoneofhisminers？’
’Ah！thatgoesfornothing。Iamoneofhishousehold。Youareanout—of—doorslabourer。Youareanobody。Youcarryapickaxe。I
carrythekeysatmygirdle。See！’
’Butyoumustnotcalloneanobodytowhomthekinghasspoken，’
saidCurdie。
’Goalongwithyou！’criedthehousekeeper，andwouldhaveshutthedoorinhisface，hadshenotbeenafraidthatwhenshesteppedbackhewouldstepinereshecouldgetitinmotion，foritwasveryheavyandalwaysseemedunwillingtoshut。Curdiecameapacenearer。Sheliftedthegreathousekeyfromherside，andthreatenedtostrikehimdownwithit，callingaloudonMarandWhelkandPlout，themenservantsunderher，tocomeandhelpher。
Ereoneofthemcouldanswer，however，shegaveagreatshriekandturnedandfled，leavingthedoorwideopen。
Curdielookedbehindhim，andsawananimalwhosegruesomeoddityevenhe，whoknewsomanyofthestrangecreatures，twoofwhichwereneverthesame，thatusedtoliveinsidethemountainwiththeirmastersthegoblins，hadneverseenequalled。Itseyeswereflamingwithanger，butitseemedtobeatthehousekeeper，foritcamecoweringandcreepingupandlaiditsheadonthegroundatCurdie’sfeet。Curdiehardlywaitedtolookatit，however，butranintothehouse，eagertogetupthestairsbeforeanyofthemenshouldcometoannoy—hehadnofearoftheirpreventinghim。
Withouthaltorhindrance，thoughthepassageswerenearlydark，hereachedthedooroftheprincess’sworkroom，andknocked。
’Comein，’saidthevoiceoftheprincess。
Curdieopenedthedoor—but，tohisastonishment，sawnoroomthere。Couldhehaveopenedawrongdoor？Therewasthegreatsky，andthestars，andbeneathhecouldseenothingonlydarkness！
Butwhatwasthatinthesky，straightinfrontofhim？Agreatwheeloffire，turningandturning，andflashingoutbluelights！
’Comein，Curdie，’saidthevoiceagain。
’Iwouldatonce，ma’am，’saidCurdie，’ifIweresureIwasstandingatyourdoor。’
’Whyshouldyoudoubtit，Curdie？’
’BecauseIseeneitherwallsnorfloor，onlydarknessandthegreatsky。’
’Thatisallright，Curdie。Comein。’
Curdiesteppedforwardatonce。Hewasindeed，fortheverycrumbofamoment，temptedtofeelbeforehimwithhisfoot;buthesawthatwouldbetodistrusttheprincess，andagreaterrudenesshecouldnotofferher。Sohesteppedstraightin—Iwillnotsaywithoutalittletrembleatthethoughtoffindingnofloorbeneathhisfoot。Butthatwhichhadneedofthefloorfoundit，andhisfootwassatisfied。
Nosoonerwasheinthanhesawthatthegreatrevolvingwheelintheskywastheprincess’sspinningwheel，neartheotherendoftheroom，turningveryfast。Hecouldseenoskyorstarsanymore，butthewheelwasflashingoutblue—oh，suchlovelysky—bluelight！—andbehinditofcoursesattheprincess，butwhetheranoldwomanasthinasaskeletonleaf，oragloriousladyasyoungasperfection，hecouldnottellfortheturningandflashingofthewheel。
’Listentothewheel，’saidthevoicewhichhadalreadygrowndeartoCurdie：itsverytonewaspreciouslikeajewel，notasajewel，fornojewelcouldcomparewithitinpreciousness。
AndCurdielistenedandlistened。
’Whatisitsaying？’askedthevoice。
’Itissinging，’answeredCurdie。
’Whatisitsinging？’
Curdietriedtomakeout，butthoughthecouldnot;fornosoonerhadhegotholdofsomethingthanitvanishedagain。
Yethelistened，andlistened，entrancedwithdelight。
’Thankyou，Curdie，saidthevoice。
’Ma’am，’saidCurdie，’Ididtryhardforawhile，butIcouldnotmakeanythingofit。’
’Ohyes，youdid，andyouhavebeentellingittome！ShallItellyouagainwhatItoldmywheel，andmywheeltoldyou，andyouhavejusttoldmewithoutknowingit？’
’Please，ma’am。’
Thentheladybegantosing，andherwheelspunanaccompanimenttohersong，andthemusicofthewheelwaslikethemusicofanAeolianharpblownuponbythewindthatblowethwhereitlisteth。
Oh，thesweetsoundsofthatspinningwheel！Nowtheyweregold，nowsilver，nowgrass，nowpalmtrees，nowancientcities，nowrubies，nowmountainbrooks，nowpeacock’sfeathers，nowclouds，nowsnowdrops，andnowmid—seaislands。Butforthevoicethatsangthroughitall，aboutthatIhavenowordstotell。ItwouldmakeyouweepifIwereabletotellyouwhatthatwaslike，itwassobeautifulandtrueandlovely。Butthisissomethinglikethewordsofitssong：
Thestarsarespinningtheirthreads，Andthecloudsarethedustthatflies，AndthesunsareweavingthemupForthetimewhenthesleepersshallrise。
Theoceaninmusicrolls，Andgemsareturningtoeyes，AndthetreesaregatheringsoulsForthedaywhenthesleepersshallrise。
Theweepersarelearningtosmile，Andlaughtertogleanthesighs;
Burnandburythecareandguile，Forthedaywhenthesleepersshallrise。
oh，thedewsandthemothsandthedaisyred，Thelarksandtheglimmersandflows！Theliliesandsparrowsanddailybread，Andthesomethingthatnobodyknows！
Theprincessstopped，herwheelstopped，andshelaughed。Andherlaughwassweeterthansongandwheel;sweeterthanrunningbrookandsilverbell;sweeterthanjoyitself，fortheheartofthelaughwaslove。
’Comenow，Curdie，tothissideofmywheel，andyouwillfindme，’
shesaid;andherlaughseemedsoundingonstillinthewords，asiftheyweremadeofbreaththathadlaughed。
Curdieobeyed，andpassedthewheel，andthereshestoodtoreceivehim！—fairerthanwhenhesawherlast，alittleyoungerstill，anddressednotingreenandemeralds，butinpaleblue，withacoronetofsilversetwithpearls，andslipperscoveredwithopalsthatgleamedeverycolouroftherainbow。ItwassometimebeforeCurdiecouldtakehiseyesfromthemarvelofherloveliness。
Fearingatlastthathewasrude，heturnedthemaway;and，behold，hewasinaroomthatwasforbeautymarvellous！Theloftyceilingwasallagoldenvine，Whosegreatclustersofcarbuncles，rubies，andchrysoberylshungdownlikethebossesofgroinedarches，andinitscentrehungthemostgloriouslampthathumaneyeseversaw—theSilverMoonitself，aglobeofsilver，asitseemed，withaheartoflightsowondrouspotentthatitrenderedthemasstranslucent，andaltogetherradiant。
Theroomwassolargethat，lookingback，hecouldscarcelyseetheendatwhichheentered;buttheotherwasonlyafewyardsfromhim—andtherehesawanotherwonder：onahugehearthagreatfirewasburning，andthefirewasahugeheapofroses，andyetitwasfire。Thesmelloftherosesfilledtheair，andtheheatoftheflamesofthemgloweduponhisface。Heturnedaninquiringlookuponthelady，andsawthatshewasnowseatedinanancientchair，thelegsofwhichwerecrustedwithgems，buttheupperpartlikeanestofdaisiesandmossandgreengrass。
’Curdie，’shesaidinanswertohiseyes，’youhavestoodmorethanonetrialalready，andhavestoodthemwell：nowIamgoingtoputyoutoaharder。Doyouthinkyouarepreparedforit？’
’HowcanItell，ma’am，’hereturned，’seeingIdonotknowwhatitis，orwhatpreparationitneeds？Judgemeyourself，ma’am。’
’Itneedsonlytrustandobedience，’answeredthelady。
’Idarenotsayanything，ma’am。Ifyouthinkmefit，commandme。’
’itwillhurtyouterribly，Curdie，butthatwillbeall;norealhurtbutmuchgoodwillcometoyoufromit。’
Curdiemadenoanswerbutstoodgazingwithpartedlipsinthelady’sface。
’Goandthrustbothyourhandsintothatfire，’shesaidquickly，almosthurriedly。
Curdiedarednotstoptothink。Itwasmuchtooterribletothinkabout。Herushedtothefire，andthrustbothofhishandsrightintothemiddleoftheheapofflamingroses，andhisarmshalfwayuptotheelbows。Anditdidhurt！Buthedidnotdrawthemback。
Heheldthepainasifitwereathingthatwouldkillhimifheletitgo—asindeeditwouldhavedone。Hewasinterriblefearlestitshouldconquerhim。
Butwhenithadrisentothepitchthathethoughthecouldbearitnolonger，itbegantofallagain，andwentongrowinglessandlessuntilbycontrastwithitsformerseverityithadbecomeratherpleasant。Atlastitceasedaltogether，andCurdiethoughthishandsmustbeburnedtocindersifnotashes，forhedidnotfeelthematall。Theprincesstoldhimtotakethemoutandlookatthem。Hedidso，andfoundthatallthatwasgoneofthemwastherough，hardskin;theywerewhiteandsmoothliketheprincess’s。
’Cometome，’shesaid。
Heobeyedandsaw，tohissurprise，thatherfacelookedasifshehadbeenweeping。
’Oh，Princess！Whatisthematter？’hecried。’DidImakeanoiseandvexyou？’
’No，Curdie，sheanswered;’butitwasverybad。’
’Didyoufeelittoothen？’
’OfcourseIdid。Butnowitisover，andalliswell。WouldyouliketoknowwhyImadeYouputyourhandsinthefire？’
Curdielookedatthemagain—thensaid：
’Totakethemarksoftheworkoffthemandmakethemfitfortheking’scourt，Isuppose。’
’No，Curdie，’answeredtheprincess，shakingherhead，forshewasnotpleasedwiththeanswer。’Itwouldbeapoorwayofmakingyourhandsfitfortheking’scourttotakeoffthemsignsofhisservice。Thereisafargreaterdifferenceonthemthanthat。Doyoufeelnone？’
’No，ma’am。’
’Youwill，though，byandby，whenthetimecomes。Butperhapseventhenyoumightnotknowwhathadbeengivenyou，thereforeI
willtellyou。Haveyoueverheardwhatsomephilosopherssay—
thatmenwereallanimalsonce？’
’No，ma’am。’
’itisofnoconsequence。Butthereisanotherthingthatisofthegreatestconsequence—this：thatallmen，iftheydonottakecare，godownthehilltotheanimals’country;thatmanymenareactually，alltheirlives，goingtobebeasts。Peopleknewitonce，butitislongsincetheyforgotit。’
’Iamnotsurprisedtohearit，ma’am，whenIthinkofsomeofourminers。’
’Ah！Butyoumustbeware，Curdie，howyousayofthismanorthatmanthatheistravellingbeastward。Therearenotnearlysomanygoingthatwayasatfirstsightyoumightthink。Whenyoumetyourfatheronthehilltonight，youstoodandspoketogetheronthesamespot;andalthoughoneofyouwasgoingupandtheothercomingdown，atalittledistancenoonecouldhavetoldwhichwasboundintheonedirectionandwhichintheother。justsotwopeoplemaybeatthesamespotinmannersandbehaviour，andyetonemaybegettingbetterandtheotherworse，whichisjustthegreatestofalldifferencesthatcouldpossiblyexistbetweenthem。’
’Butma’am，’saidCurdie，’whereisthegoodofknowingthatthereissuchadifference，ifyoucanneverknowwhereitis？’
’Now，Curdie，youmustmindexactlywhatwordsIuse，becausealthoughtherightwordscannotdoexactlywhatIwantthemtodo，thewrongwordswillcertainlydowhatIdonotwantthemtodo。
Ididnotsayyoucanneverknow。Whenthereisanecessityforyourknowing，whenyouhavetodoimportantbusinesswiththisorthatman，thereisalwaysawayofknowingenoughtokeepyoufromanygreatblunder。Andasyouwillhaveimportantbusinesstodobyandby，andthatwithpeopleofwhomyouyetknownothing，itwillbenecessarythatyoushouldhavesomebettermeansthanusualoflearningthenatureofthem。
’Nowlisten。Sinceitisalwayswhattheydo，whetherintheirmindsortheirbodies，thatmakesmengodowntobelessthanmen，thatis，beasts，thechangealwayscomesfirstintheirhands—andfirstofallintheinsidehands，towhichtheoutsideonesarebutasthegloves。Theydonotknowitofcourse;forabeastdoesnotknowthatheisabeast，andtheneareramangetstobeingabeastthelessheknowsit。Neithercantheirbestfriends，ortheirworstenemiesindeed，seeanydifferenceintheirhands，fortheyseeonlythelivingglovesofthem。Buttherearenotafewwhofeelavaguesomethingrepulsiveinthehandofamanwhoisgrowingabeast。
’Nowhereiswhattherose—firehasdoneforyou：ithasmadeyourhandssoknowingandwise，ithasbroughtyourrealhandssoneartheoutsideofyourfleshgloves，thatyouwillhenceforthbeabletoknowatoncethehandofamanwhoisgrowingintoabeast;nay，more—youwillatoncefeelthefootofthebeastheisgrowing，justasiftherewerenoglovemadelikeaman’shandbetweenyouandit。
’Henceofcourseitfollowsthatyouwillbeableoften，andwithfurthereducationinzoology，willbeablealwaystotell，notonlywhenamanisgrowingabeast，butwhatbeastheisgrowingto，foryouwillknowthefoot—whatitisandwhatbeast’sitis。
According，then，toyourknowledgeofthatbeastwillbeyourknowledgeofthemanyouhavetodowith。Onlythereisonebeautifulandawfulthingaboutit，thatifanyonegiftedwiththisperceptiononceusesitforhisownends，itistakenfromhim，andthen，notknowingthatitisgone，heisinafarworseconditionthanbefore，forhetruststowhathehasnotgot。’
’Howdreadful！’SaidCurdie。’ImustmindwhatIamabout。’
’Yes，indeed，Curdie。’
’Butmaynotonesometimesmakeamistakewithoutbeingabletohelpit？’
’Yes。Butsolongasheisnotafterhisownends，hewillnevermakeaseriousmistake。’
’Isupposeyouwantme，ma’am，towarneveryonewhosehandtellsmethatheisgrowingabeast—because，asyousay，hedoesnotknowithimself。’
Theprincesssmiled。
’Muchgoodthatwoulddo，Curdie！Idon’tsaytherearenocasesinwhichitwouldbeofuse，buttheyareveryrareandpeculiarcases，andifsuchcomeyouwillknowthem。Tosuchapersonthereisingeneralnoinsultlikethetruth。Hecannotendureit，notbecauseheisgrowingabeast，butbecauseheisceasingtobeaman。Itisthedyingmaninhimthatitmakesuncomfortable，andhetrots，orcreeps，orswims，orfluttersoutofitsway—callsitafoolishfeeling，awhim，anoldwives’fable，abitofpriests’humbug，aneffetesuperstition，andsoon。’
’Andistherenohopeforhim？Cannothingbedone？It’ssoawfultothinkofgoingdown，down，downlikethat！’
’Evenwhenit’swithhisownwill？’
’That’swhatseemstometomakeitworstofall，’saidCurdie。
’Youareright，’answeredtheprincess，noddingherhead;’butthereisthisamountofexcusetomakeforallsuch，remember—
thattheydonotknowwhatorhowhorridtheircomingfateis。
Manyalady，sodelicateandnicethatshecanbearnothingcoarserthanthefinestlinentotouchherbody，ifshehadamirrorthatcouldshowhertheanimalsheisgrowingto，asitlieswaitingwithinthefairskinandthefinelinenandthesilkandthejewels，wouldreceiveashockthatmightpossiblywakeherup。’
’Whythen，ma’am，shouldn’tshehaveit？’
Theprincessheldherpeace。
’Comehere，Lina，’shesaidafteralongpause。
FromsomewherebehindCurdie，creptforwardthesamehideousanimalwhichhadfawnedathisfeetatthedoor，andwhich，withouthisknowingit，hadfollowedhimeverystepupthedovetower。Sherantotheprincess，andlaydownflatatherfeet，lookingupatherwithanexpressionsopitifulthatinCurdie’sheartitovercamealltheludicrousnessofherhorriblemassofincongruities。Shehadaveryshortbody，andverylonglegsmadelikeanelephant’s，sothatinlyingdownshekneeledwithbothpairs。Hertail，whichdraggedonthefloorbehindher，wastwiceaslongandquiteasthickasherbody。Herheadwassomethingbetweenthatofapolarbearandasnake。Hereyesweredarkgreen，withayellowlightinthem。Herunderteethcameuplikeafringeoficicles，onlyverywhite，outsideofherupperlip。Herthroatlookedasifthehairhadbeenpluckedoff。itshowedaskinwhiteandsmooth。
’GiveCurdieapaw，Lina，’saidtheprincess。
Thecreaturerose，and，liftingalongforeleg，heldupagreatdoglikepawtoCurdie。Hetookitgently。Butwhatashudder，asofterrifieddelight，ranthroughhim，when，insteadofthepawofadog，suchasitseemedtohiseyes，heclaspedinhisgreatminingfistthesoft，neatlittlehandofachild！Hetookitinbothofhis，andhelditasifhecouldnotletitgo。Thegreeneyesstaredathimwiththeiryellowlight，andthemouthwasturneduptowardhimwithitsconstanthalfgrin;butherewasthechild’shand！Ifhecouldbutpullthechildoutofthebeast！
Hiseyessoughttheprincess。Shewaswatchinghimwithevidentsatisfaction。
’Ma’am，hereisachild’shand！’saidCurdie。
’Yourgiftdoesmoreforyouthanitpromised。Itisyetbettertoperceiveahiddengoodthanahiddenevil。’
’But，’beganCurdie。
’Iamnotgoingtoansweranymorequestionsthisevening，’
interruptedtheprincess。’YouhavenothalfgottothebottomoftheanswersIhavealreadygivenyou。Thatpawinyourhandnowmightalmostteachyouthewholescienceofnaturalhistory—theheavenlysort，Imean。’
’Iwillthink，’saidCurdie。’Butoh！please！onewordmore：mayItellmyfatherandmotherallaboutit？’
’Certainly—thoughperhapsnowitmaybetheirturntofinditalittledifficulttobelievethatthingswentjustasyoumusttellthem。’
’TheyshallseethatIbelieveitallthistime，’saidCurdie。
’Tellthemthattomorrowmorningyoumustsetoutforthecourt—
notlikeagreatman，butjustaspoorasyouare。Theyhadbetternotspeakaboutit。Tellthemalsothatitwillbealongtimebeforetheyhearofyouagain，buttheymustnotloseheart。AndtellyourfathertolaythatstoneIgavehimatnightinasafeplace—notbecauseofthegreatnessofitsprice，althoughitissuchanemeraldasnoprincehasinhiscrown，butbecauseitwillbeanews—bearerbetweenyouandhim。Asoftenashegetsatallanxiousaboutyou，hemusttakeitandlayitinthefire，andleaveittherewhenhegoestobed。Inthemorninghemustfinditintheashes，andifitbeasgreenasever，thenallgoeswellwithyou;ifithavelostcolour，thingsgoillwithyou;butifitbeverypaleindeed，thenyouareingreatdanger，andhemustcometome。’
’Yes，ma’am，’saidCurdie。’Please，amItogonow？’
’Yes，’answeredtheprincess，andheldoutherhandtohim。
Curdietookit，tremblingwithjoy。Itwasaverybeautifulhand—notsmall，verysmooth，butnotverysoft—andjustthesametohisfire—taughttouchthatitwastohiseyes。Hewouldhavestoodthereallnightholdingitifshehadnotgentlywithdrawnit。
’Iwillprovideyouaservant，’shesaid，’foryourjourneyandtowaituponyouafterward。’
’ButwhereamItogo，ma’am，andwhatamItodo？Youhavegivenmenomessagetocarry，neitherhaveyousaidwhatIamwantedfor。
IgowithoutanotionwhetherIamtowalkthiswayorthat，orwhatIamtodowhenIgetIdon’tknowwhere。’
’Curdie！’saidtheprincess，andtherewasatoneofreminderinhisownnameasshespokeit，’didInottellyoutotellyourfatherandmotherthatyouweretosetoutforthecourt？Andyouknowthatliestothenorth。Youmustlearntousefarlessdirectdirectionsthanthat。Youmustnotbelikeadullservantthatneedstobetoldagainandagainbeforehewillunderstand。Youhaveordersenoughtostartwith，andyouwillfind，asyougoon，andasyouneedtoknow，whatyouhavetodo。ButIwarnyouthatperhapsitwillnotlooktheleastlikewhatyoumayhavebeenfancyingIshouldrequireofyou。Ihaveoneideaofyouandyourwork，andyouhaveanother。Idonotblameyouforthat—youcannothelpityet;butyoumustbereadytoletmyidea，whichsetsyouworking，setyouridearight。Betrueandhonestandfearless，andallshallgowellwithyouandyourwork，andallwithwhomyourworklies，andsowithyourparents—andmetoo，Curdie，’sheaddedafteralittlepause。
Theyoungminerbowedhisheadlow，pattedthestrangeheadthatlayattheprincess’sfeet，andturnedaway。Assoonashepassedthespinningwheel，whichlooked，inthemidstofthegloriousroom，justlikeanywheelyoumightfindinacountrycottage—oldandwornanddingyanddusty—thesplendouroftheplacevanished，andhesawbutthebigbareroomheseemedatfirsttohaveentered，withthemoon—theprincess’smoonnodoubt—shininginatoneofthewindowsuponthespinningwheel。
CHAPTER9
HandsCurdiewenthome，ponderingmuch，andtoldeverythingtohisfatherandmother。Astheoldprincesshadsaid，itwasnowtheirturntofindwhattheyheardhardtobelieve。iftheyhadnotbeenabletotrustCurdiehimself，theywouldhaverefusedtobelievemorethanthehalfofwhathereported，thentheywouldhaverefusedthathalftoo，andatlastwouldmostlikelyforatimehavedisbelievedintheveryexistenceoftheprincess，whatevidencetheirownsenseshadgiventhemnotwithstanding。
Forhehadnothingconclusivetoshowinproofofwhathetoldthem。Whenheheldouthishandstothem，hismothersaidtheylookedasifhehadbeenwashingthemwithsoftsoap，onlytheydidsmellofsomethingnicerthanthat，andshemustallowitwasmorelikerosesthananythingelsesheknew。Hisfathercouldnotseeanydifferenceuponhishands，butthenitwasnight，hesaid，andtheirpoorlittlelampwasnotenoughforhisoldeyes。Astothefeelofthem，eachofhisownhands，hesaid，washardandhornyenoughfortwo，anditmustbethefaultofthedullnessofhisownthickskinthathefeltnochangeonCurdie’spalms。
’Here，Curdie，’saidhismother，’trymyhand，andseewhatbeast’spawliesinsideit。’
’No，Mother，’answeredCurdie，halfbeseeching，halfindignant，’I
willnotinsultmynewgiftbymakingpretencetotryit。Thatwouldbemockery。Thereisnohandwithinyoursbutthehandofatruewoman，mymother。’
’Ishouldlikeyoujusttotakeholdofmyhandthough，’saidhismother。’Youaremyson，andmayknowallthebadthereisinme。’
ThenatonceCurdietookherhandinhis。Andwhenhehadit，hekeptit，strokingitgentlywithhisotherhand。
’Mother，’hesaidatlength，’yourhandfeelsjustlikethatoftheprincess。’
’What！Myhorny，cracked，rheumaticoldhand，withitsbigjoints，anditsshortnailsallworndowntothequickwithhardwork—
likethehandofthebeautifulprincess！Why，mychild，youwillmakemefancyyourfingershavegrownverydullindeed，insteadofsharpanddelicate，ifyoutalksuchnonsense。MineissuchanuglyhandIshouldbeashamedtoshowittoanybutonethatlovedme。Butlovemakesallsafe—doesn’tit，Curdie？’
’Well，Mother，allIcansayisthatIdon’tfeelaroughness，oracrack，orabigjoint，orashortnail。Yourhandfeelsjustandexactly，asnearasIcanrecollect，andit’snotmorethantwohourssinceIhaditinmine—well，Iwillsay，verylikeindeedtothatoftheoldprincess。’
’Goaway，youflatterer，’saidhismother，withasmilethatshowedhowsheprizedthelovethatlaybeneathwhatshetookforitshyperbole。Thepraiseevenwhichonecannotacceptissweetfromatruemouth。’Ifthatisallyournewgiftcando，itwon’tmakeawarlockofyou，’sheadded。
’Mother，ittellsmenothingbutthetruth，’insistedCurdie，’howeverunlikethetruthitmayseem。itwantsnogifttotellwhatanybody’soutsidehandsarelike。ButbyitIknowyourinsidehandsareliketheprincess’s。’