ForthepeopleofGwyntystormalwaysgavethemselvesanhourofpleasureaftertheirsecondbreakfast，andwhatgreaterpleasurecouldtheyhavethantoseeastrangerabusedbytheofficersofjustice？
Thenoisegrewtillitwasliketheroaringofthesea，andthatroaringwentonalongtime，forthemagistrate，beingagreatman，likedtoknowthathewaswaitedfor：itaddedtotheenjoymentofhisbreakfast，and，indeed，enabledhimtoeatalittlemoreafterhehadthoughthispowersexhausted。
Butatlength，inthewavesofthehumannoisesroseabiggerwave，andbytherunningandshoutingandoutcry，Curdielearnedthatthemagistratewasapproaching。
Presentlycamethesoundofthegreatrustykeyinthelock，whichyieldedwithgroaningreluctance;thedoorwasthrownback，thelightrushedin，andwithitcamethevoiceofthecitymarshal，callinguponCurdie，bymanylegalepithetsopprobrious，tocomeforthandbetriedforhislife，inasmuchashehadraisedatumultinHisMajesty’scityofGwyntystorm，troubledtheheartsoftheking’sbakerandbarber，andslainthefaithfuldogsofHisMajesty’swell—belovedbutchers。
Hewasstillreading，andCurdiewasstillseatedinthebrowntwilightofthevault，notlistening，butponderingwithhimselfhowthiskingthecitymarshaltalkedofcouldbethesamewiththeMajestyhehadseenrideawayonhisgrandwhitehorsewiththePrincessIreneonacushionbeforehim，whenascreamofagonizedterroraroseonthefarthestskirtofthecrowd，and，swifterthanfloodorflame，thehorrorspreadshrieking。Inamomenttheairwasfilledwithhideoushowling，criesofunspeakabledismay，andthemultitudinousnoiseofrunningfeet。Thenextmoment，inatthedoorofthevaultboundedLina，hertwogreeneyesflamingyellowassunflowers，andseemingtolightupthedungeon。WithonespringshethrewherselfatCurdie’sfeet，andlaidherheaduponthempanting。Thencamearushoftwoorthreesoldiersdarkeningthedoorway，butitwasonlytolayholdofthekey，pullthedoorto，andlockit;sothatoncemoreCurdieandLinawereprisonerstogether。
ForafewmomentsLinalaypantinghard：itisbreathlessworkleapingandroaringbothatonce，andthatinawaytoscatterthousandsofpeople。Thenshejumpedup，andbegansnuffingaboutallovertheplace;andCurdiesawwhathehadneverseenbefore—
twofaintspotsoflightcastfromhereyesupontheground，oneoneachsideofhersnuffingnose。Hegotouthistinderbox—aminerisneverwithoutone—andlightedapreciousbitofcandlehecarriedinadivisionofitjustforamoment，forhemustnotwasteit。
Thelightrevealedavaultwithoutanywindoworotheropeningthanthedoor。Itwasveryoldandmuchneglected。Themortarhadvanishedfrombetweenthestones，anditwashalffilledwithaheapofallsortsofrubbish，beatendowninthemiddle，butlooseratthesides;itslopedfromthedoortothefootoftheoppositewall：evidentlyforalongtimethevaulthadbeenleftopen，andeverysortofrefusethrownintoit。Asingleminuteservedforthesurvey，solittlewastheretonote。
Meantime，downintheanglebetweenthebackwallandthebaseoftheheapLinawasscratchingfuriouslywithalltheeighteengreatstrongclawsofhermightyfeet。
’Ah，ha！’saidCurdietohimself，catchingsightofher，’ifonlytheywillleaveuslongenoughtoourselves！’
Withthatherantothedoor，toseeiftherewasanyfasteningontheinside。Therewasnone：inallitslonghistoryitneverhadhadone。Butafewblowsoftherightsort，nowfromtheone，nowfromtheotherendofhismattock，wereasgoodasanybolt，fortheysoruinedthelockthatnokeycouldeverturninitagain。
Thosewhoheardthemfanciedhewastryingtogetout，andlaughedspitefully。Assoonashehaddone，heextinguishedhiscandle，andwentdowntoLina。
Shehadreachedthehardrockwhichformedthefloorofthedungeon，andwasnowclearingawaytheearthalittlewider。
Presentlyshelookedupinhisfaceandwhined，asmuchastosay，’Mypawsarenothardenoughtogetanyfarther。’
’Thengetoutofmyway，Lina，’saidCurdie，andmindyoukeepyoureyesshining，forfearIshouldhityou。’
Sosaying，heheavedhismattock，andassailedwiththehammerendofitthespotshehadcleared。
Therockwasveryhard，butwhenitdidbreakitbrokeingood—sizedpieces。Nowwithhammer，nowwithpick，heworkedtillhewasweary，thenrested，andthensettoagain。Hecouldnottellhowthedaywent，ashehadnolightbutthelampingofLina’seyes。Thedarknesshamperedhimgreatly，forhewouldnotletLinacomecloseenoughtogivehimallthelightshecould，lestheshouldstrikeher。Sohehad，everynowandthen，tofeelwithhishandstoknowhowhewasgettingon，andtodiscoverinwhatdirectiontostrike：theexactspotwasamereimagination。
Hewasgettingverytiredandhungry，andbeginningtoloseheartalittle，whenoutoftheground，asifhehadstruckaspringofit，burstadull，gleamy，lead—colouredlight，andthenextmomentheheardahollowsplashandecho。Apieceofrockhadfallenoutofthefloor，anddroppedintowaterbeneath。AlreadyLina，whohadbeenlyingafewyardsoffallthetimeheworked，wasonherfeetandpeeringthroughthehole。Curdiegotdownonhishandsandknees，andlooked。Theywereoverwhatseemedanaturalcaveintherock，towhichapparentlytheriverhadaccess，for，atagreatdistancebelow，afaintlightwasgleaminguponwater。Iftheycouldbutreachit，theymightgetout;butevenifitwasdeepenough，theheightwasverydangerous。Thefirstthing，whatevermightfollow，wastomaketheholelarger。Itwascomparativelyeasytobreakawaythesidesofit，andinthecourseofanotherhourhehaditlargeenoughtogetthrough。
Andnowhemustreconnoitre。Hetooktheropetheyhadtiedhimwith—forCurdie’shindranceswerealwayshisfurtherance—andfastenedoneendofitbyaslipknotroundthehandleofhispickaxesthendroppedtheotherendthrough，andlaidthepickaxesothat，whenhewasthroughhimself，andhangingontheedge，hecouldplaceitacrosstheholetosupporthimontherope。Thisdone，hetooktheropeinhishands，and，beginningtodescend，foundhimselfinanarrowcleftwideningintoacave。Hisropewasnotverylong，andwouldnotdomuchtolessentheforceofhisfall—hethoughttohimself—ifheshouldhavetodropintothewater;buthewasnotmorethanacoupleofyardsbelowthedungeonwhenhespiedanopeningontheoppositesideofthecleft：itmightbebutashadowhole，oritmightleadthemout。Hedroppedhimselfalittlebelowitslevel，gavetheropeaswingbypushinghisfeetagainstthesideofthecleft，andsopenduledhimselfintoit。Thenhelaidastoneontheendoftheropethatitshouldnotforsakehim，calledtoLina，whoseyelloweyesweregleamingoverthemattockgratingabove，towatchtheretillhereturned，andwentcautiouslyin。Itprovedapassage，levelforsomedistance，thenslopinggentlyup。Headvancedcarefully，feelinghiswayashewent。Atlengthhewasstoppedbyadoor—
asmalldoor，studdedwithiron。Butthewoodwasinplacessomuchdecayedthatsomeoftheboltshaddroppedout，andhefeltsureofbeingabletoopenit。Hereturned，therefore，tofetchLinaandhismattock。Arrivedatthecleft，hisstrongminerarmsborehimswiftlyupalongtheropeandthroughtheholeintothedungeon。Thereheundidtheropefromhismattock，andmakingLinataketheendofitinherteeth，andgetthroughthehole，heloweredher—itwasallhecoulddo，shewassoheavy。Whenshecameoppositethepassage，withaslightpushofhertailsheshotherselfintoit，andletgotherope，whichCurdiedrewup。
Thenhelightedhiscandleandsearchingintherubbishfoundabitofirontotaketheplaceofhispickaxeacrossthehole。Thenhesearchedagainintherubbish，andfoundhalfanoldshutter。Thisheproppedupleaningalittleoverthehole，withabitofstick，andheapedagainstthebackofitaquantityoftheloosenedearth。
Nexthetiedhismattocktotheendoftherope，droppedit，andletithang。Last，hegotthroughtheholehimself，andpulledawaytheproppingstick，sothattheshutterfellovertheholewithaquantityofearthonthetopofit。Afewmotionsofhandoverhand，andheswunghimselfandhismattockintothepassagebesideLina。
Therehesecuredtheendoftherope，andtheywentontogethertothedoor。
CHAPTER17
TheWineCellarHelightedhiscandleandexaminedit。Decayedandbrokenasitwas，itwasstronglysecuredinitsplacebyhingesontheoneside，andeitherlockorbolt，hecouldnottellwhich，ontheother。Abriefuseofhispocket—knifewasenoughtomakeroomforhishandandarmtogetthrough，andthenhefoundagreatironbolt—butsorustythathecouldnotmoveit。
Linawhimpered。Hetookhisknifeagain，madetheholebigger，andstoodback。Insheshothersmallheadandlongneck，seizedtheboltwithherteeth，anddraggedit，gratingandcomplaining，back。
Apushthenopenedthedoor。itwasatthefootofashortflightofsteps。Theyascended，andatthetopCurdiefoundhimselfinaspacewhich，fromtheechotohisstamp，appearedofsomesize，thoughofwhatsorthecouldnotatfirsttell，forhishands，feelingabout，cameuponnothing。Presently，however，theyfellonagreatthing：itwasawinecask。
Hewasjustsettingouttoexploretheplacethoroughly，whenheheardstepscomingdownastair。Hestoodstill，notknowingwhetherthedoorwouldopenaninchfromhisnoseortwentyyardsbehindhisback。Itdidneither。Heheardthekeyturninthelock，andastreamoflightshotin，ruiningthedarkness，aboutfifteenyardsawayonhisright。
Amancarryingacandleinonehandandalargesilverflagonintheother，entered，andcametowardhim。Thelightrevealedarowofhugewinecasks，thatstretchedawayintothedarknessoftheotherendofthelongvault。Curdieretreatedintotherecessofthestair，andpeepingroundthecornerofit，watchedhim，thinkingwhathecoulddotopreventhimfromlockingthemin。Hecameonandon，untilcurdiefearedhewouldpasstherecessandseethem。Hewasjustpreparingtorushout，andmasterhimbeforeheshouldgivealarm，notintheleastknowingwhatheshoulddonext，when，tohisrelief，themanstoppedatthethirdcaskfromwherehestood。Hesetdownhislightonthetopofit，removedwhatseemedalargevent—peg，andpouredintothecaskaquantityofsomethingfromtheflagon。Thenheturnedtothenextcask，drewsomewine，rinsedtheflagon，threwthewineaway，drewandrinsedandthrewawayagain，thendrewanddrank，drainingtothebottom。Lastofall，hefilledtheflagonfromthecaskhehadfirstvisited，replacedthenthevent—peg，tookuphiscandle，andturnedtowardthedoor。
’Thereissomethingwronghere！’thoughtCurdie。
’Speaktohim，Lina，’hewhispered。
ThesuddenhowlshegavemadeCurdiehimselfstartandtrembleforamoment。Astotheman，heansweredLina’swithanotherhorriblehowl，forcedfromhimbytheconvulsiveshudderofeverymuscleofhisbody，thenreeledgaspingtoandfro，anddroppedhiscandle。
ButjustasCurdieexpectedtoseehimfalldeadherecoveredhimself，andflewtothedoor，throughwhichhedarted，leavingitopenbehindhim。Themomentheran，Curdiesteppedout，pickedupthecandlestillalight，spedafterhimtothedoor，drewoutthekey，andthenreturnedtothestairandwaited。inafewminutesheheardthesoundofmanyfeetandvoices。Instantlyheturnedthetapofthecaskfromwhichthemanhadbeendrinking，setthecandlebesideitonthefloor，wentdownthestepsandoutofthelittledoor，followedbyLina，andcloseditbehindthem。
Throughtheholeinithecouldseealittle，andhearall。Hecouldseehowthelightofmanycandlesfilledtheplace，andcouldhearhowsometwodozenfeetranhitherandthitherthroughtheechoingcellar;hecouldheartheclashofiron，probablyspitsandpokers，nowandthen;andatlastheardhow，findingnothingremarkableexceptthebestwinerunningtowaste，theyallturnedonthebutlerandaccusedhimofhavingfooledthemwithadrunkendream。Hedidhisbesttodefendhimself，appealingtotheevidenceoftheirownsensesthathewasassoberastheywere。
Theyrepliedthatafrightwasnolessafrightthatthecausewasimaginary，andadreamnolessadreamthatthefrighthadwakedhimfromit。
Whenhediscovered，andtriumphantlyadducedascorroboration，thatthekeywasgonefromthedoor，theysaiditmerelyshowedhowdrunkhehadbeen—eitherthatorhowfrightened，forhehadcertainlydroppedit。Invainheprotestedthathehadnevertakenitoutofthelock—thatheneverdidwhenhewentin，andcertainlyhadnotthistimestoppedtodosowhenhecameout;theyaskedhimwhyhehadtogotothecellaratsuchatimeoftheday，andsaiditwasbecausehehadalreadydrunkallthewinethatwasleftfromdinner。Hesaidifhehaddroppedthekey，thekeywastobefound，andtheymusthelphimtofindit。Theytoldhimtheywouldn’tmoveapegforhim。Hedeclared，withmuchlanguage，hewouldhavethemallturnedoutoftheking’sservice。Theysaidtheywouldswearhewasdrunk。
Andsopositiveweretheyaboutit，thatatlastthebutlerhimselfbegantothinkwhetheritwaspossibletheycouldbeintheright。
Forheknewthatsometimeswhenhehadbeendrunkhefanciedthingshadtakenplacewhichhefoundafterwardcouldnothavehappened。
Certainofhisfellowservants，however，hadallthetimeadoubtwhetherthecellargoblinhadnotappearedtohim，oratleastroaredathim，toprotectthewine。inanycasenobodywantedtofindthekeyforhim;nothingcouldpleasethembetterthanthatthedoorofthewinecellarshouldnevermorebelocked。Bydegreesthehubbubdiedaway，andtheydeparted，notevenpullingtothedoor，fortherewasneitherhandlenorlatchtoit。
Assoonastheyweregone，Curdiereturned，knowingnowthattheywereinthewinecellarofthepalace，asindeed，hehadsuspected。
Findingapoolofwineinahollowofthefloor，Linalappeditupeagerly：shehadhadnobreakfast，andwasnowverythirstyaswellashungry。Hermasterwasinasimilarplight，forhehadbutjustbeguntoeatwhenthemagistratearrivedwiththesoldiers。Ifonlytheywereallinbed，hethought，thathemightfindhiswaytothelarder！Forhesaidtohimselfthat，ashewassenttherebytheyoungprincess’sgreat—great—grandmothertoserveherorherfatherinsomeway，surelyhemusthavearighttohisfoodinthePalace，withoutwhichhecoulddonothing。Hewouldgoatonceandreconnoitre。
Sohecreptupthestairthatledfromthecellar。Atthetopwasadoor，openingonalongpassagedimlylightedbyalamp。HetoldLinatoliedownuponthestairwhilehewenton。Attheendofthepassagehefoundadoorajar，and，peeringthrough，sawrightintoagreatstonehall，whereahugefirewasblazing，andthroughwhichmenintheking’sliverywereconstantlycomingandgoing。
Somealsointhesameliverywereloungingaboutthefire。Henotedthattheircolourswerethesameasthosehehimself，asking’sminer，wore;butfromwhathehadseenandheardofthehabitsoftheplace，hecouldnothopetheywouldtreathimthebetterforthat。
Theoneinterestingthingatthemoment，however，wastheplentifulsupperwithwhichthetablewasspread。Itwassomethingatleasttostandinsightoffood，andhewasunwillingtoturnhisbackontheprospectsolongasashareinitwasnotabsolutelyhopeless。
Peepingthus，hesoonmadeUPhismindthatifatanymomentthehallshouldbeempty，hewouldatthatmomentrushinandattempttocarryoffadish。Thathemightlosenotimebyindecision，heselectedalargepieuponwhichtopounceinstantaneously。Butafterhehadwatchedforsomeminutes，itdidnotseematalllikelythechancewouldarrivebeforesuppertime，andhewasjustabouttoturnawayandrejoinLina，whenhesawthattherewasnotapersonintheplace。Curdienevermadeuphismindandthenhesitated。Hedartedin，seizedthepie，andboreitswiftlyandnoiselesslytothecellarstair。
CHAPTER18
TheKing’sKitchenBacktothecellarCurdieandLinaspedwiththeirbooty，where，seatedonthesteps，Curdielightedhisbitofcandleforamoment。
Averylittlebititwasnow，buttheydidnotwastemuchofitinexaminationofthepie;thattheyeffectedbyamoresummaryprocess。Curdiethoughtitthenicestfoodhehadevertasted，andbetweenthemtheysoonateitup。ThenCurdiewouldhavethrownthedishalongwiththebonesintothewater，thattheremightbenotracesofthem;buthethoughtofhismother，andhiditinstead;andtheverynextminutetheywantedittodrawsomewineinto。Hewascarefulitshouldbefromthecaskofwhichhehadseenthebutlerdrink。
Thentheysatdownagainuponthesteps，andwaiteduntilthehouseshouldbequiet。Forhewastheretodosomething，andifitdidnotcometohiminthecellar，hemustgotomeetitinotherplaces。Therefore，lestheshouldfallasleep，hesettheendofthehelveofhismattockontheground，andseatedhimselfonthecrosspart，leaningagainstthewall，sothataslongashekeptawakeheshouldrest，butthemomenthebegantofallasleephemustfallawakeinstead。Hequiteexpectedsomeoftheservantswouldvisitthecellaragainthatnight，butwhetheritwasthattheywereafraidofeachother，orbelievedmoreofthebutler’sstorythantheyhadchosentoallow，notoneofthemappeared。
Whenatlengthhethoughthemightventure，heshoulderedhismattockandcreptupthestair。Thelampwasoutinthepassage，buthecouldnotmisshiswaytotheservants’hall。TrustingtoLina’squicknessinconcealingherself，hetookherwithhim。
Whentheyreachedthehalltheyfounditquietandnearlydark。
Thelastofthegreatfirewasglowingred，butgivinglittlelight。Curdiestoodandwarmedhimselfforafewmoments：minerashewas，hehadfoundthecellarcoldtositindoingnothing;andstandingthushethoughtoflookingiftherewereanybitsofcandleabout。Thereweremanycandlesticksonthesuppertable，buttohisdisappointmentandindignationtheircandlesseemedtohavebeenalllefttoburnout，andsomeofthem，indeed，hefoundstillhotintheneck。
Presently，oneafteranother，hecameuponsevenmenfastasleep，mostofthemupontables，oneinachair，andoneonthefloor。
Theyseemed，fromtheirshapeandcolour，tohaveeatenanddrunksomuchthattheymightbeburnedalivewithoutwakening。Hegraspedthehandofeachinsuccession，andfoundtwooxhoofs，threepighoofs，oneconcerningwhichhecouldnotbesurewhetheritwasthehoofofadonkeyorapony，andonedog’spaw。’Anicesetofpeopletobeaboutaking！’thoughtCurdietohimself，andturnedagaintohiscandlehunt。Hedidatlastfindtwoorthreelittlepieces，andstowedthemawayinhispockets。Theynowleftthehallbyanotherdoor，andenteredashortpassage，whichledthemtothehugekitchen，vaultedandblackwithsmoke。There，too，thefirewasstillburning，sothathewasabletoseealittleofthestateofthingsinthisquarteralso。
Theplacewasdirtyanddisorderly。Inarecess，onaheapofbrushwood，layakitchen—maid，withatablecoveraroundher，andaskilletinherhand：evidentlyshetoohadbeendrinking。Inanothercornerlayapage，andCurdienotedhowlikehisdresswastohisown。inthecindersbeforethehearthwerehuddledthreedogsandfivecats，allfastasleep，whiletheratswererunningaboutthefloor。Curdie’sheartachedtothinkofthelovelychild—princesslivingoversuchasty。Theminewasaparadisetoapalacewithsuchservantsinit。
Leavingthekitchen，hegotintotheregionofthesculleries。
Therehorriblesmellswerewanderingabout，likeevilspiritsthatcomeforthwiththedarkness。Helightedacandle—butonlytoseeuglysights。Everywherewasfilthanddisorder。Mangyturnspitdogswerelyingabout，andgreyratsweregnawingatrefuseinthesinks。Itwaslikeahideousdream。Hefeltasifheshouldnevergetoutofit，andlongedforoneglimpseofhismother’spoorlittlekitchen，socleanandbrightandairy。
Turningfromitatlastinmiserabledisgust，healmostranbackthroughthekitchen，re—enteredthehall，andcrossedittoanotherdoor。
Itopeneduponawiderpassageleadingtoanarchinastatelycorridor，allitslengthlightedbylampsinniches。Attheendofitwasalargeandbeautifulhall，withgreatpillars。Theresatthreemenintheroyallivery，fastasleep，eachinagreatarmchair，withhisfeetonahugefootstool。Theylookedlikefoolsdreamingthemselveskings;andLinalookedasifshelongedtothrottlethem。Atonesideofthehallwasthegrandstaircase，andtheywentup。
EverythingthatnowmetCurdie’seyeswasrich—notgloriouslikethesplendoursofthemountaincavern，butrichandsoft—exceptwhere，nowandthen，somerougholdriboftheancientfortresscamethrough，hardanddiscoloured。Nowsomedarkbarearchofstone，nowsomeruggedandblackenedpillar，nowsomehugebeam，brownwiththesmokeanddustofcenturies，lookedlikeathistleinthemidstofdaisies，orarockinasmoothlawn。
Theywanderedaboutagoodwhile，againandagainfindingthemselveswheretheyhadbeenbefore。Gradually，however，Curdiewasgainingsomeideaoftheplace。ByandbyLinabegantolookfrightened，andastheywentonCurdiesawthatshelookedmoreandmorefrightened。Now，bythistimehehadcometounderstandthatwhatmadeherlookfrightenedwasalwaysthefearoffrightening，andhethereforeconcludedtheymustbedrawingnightosomebody。
Atlast，inagorgeouslypaintedgallery，hesawacurtainofcrimson，andonthecurtainaroyalcrownwroughtinsilksandstones。Hefeltsurethismustbetheking’schamber，anditwasherehewaswanted;or，ifitwasnottheplacehewasboundfor，somethingwouldmeethimandturnhimaside;forhehadcometothinkthatsolongasamanwantstodorighthemaygowherehecan：whenhecangonofarther，thenitisnottheway。’Only，’
saidhisfather，inassentingtothetheory，’hemustreallywanttodoright，andnotmerelyfancyhedoes。Hemustwantitwithhisheartandwill，andnotwithhisragofatongue。’
Sohegentlyliftedthecornerofthecurtain，andtherebehinditwasahalf—opendoor。Heentered，andthemomenthewasin，Linastretchedherselfalongthethresholdbetweenthecurtainandthedoor。
CHAPTER19
TheKing’sChamberHefoundhimselfinalargeroom，dimlylightedbyasilverlampthathungfromtheceiling。Farattheotherendwasagreatbed，surroundedwithdarkheavycurtains。Hewentsoftlytowardit，hisheartbeatingfast。Itwasadreadfulthingtobealoneintheking’schamberatthedeadofnight。Togaincouragehehadtoremindhimselfofthebeautifulprincesswhohadsenthim。
Butwhenhewasabouthalfwaytothebed，afigureappearedfromthefarthersideofit，andcametowardshim，withahandraisedwarningly。Hestoodstill。Thelightwasdim，andhecoulddistinguishlittlemorethantheoutlineofayounggirl。Butthoughtheformhesawwasmuchtallerthantheprincessheremembered，heneverdoubteditwasshe。Foronething，heknewthatmostgirlswouldhavebeenfrightenedtoseehimthereinthedeadofthenight，butlikeatrueprincess，andtheprincessheusedtoknow，shewalkedstraightontomeethim。Asshecamesheloweredthehandshehadlifted，andlaidtheforefingerofituponherlips。Nearerandnearer，quitenear，closeuptohimshecame，thenstopped，andstoodamomentlookingathim。
’YouareCurdie，’shesaid。
’AndyouarethePrincessIrene，’hereturned。
’Thenweknoweachotherstill，’shesaid，withasadsmileofpleasure。’Youwillhelpme。’
’ThatIwill，’answeredCurdie。Hedidnotsay，’IfIcan’;
forheknewthatwhathewassenttodo，thathecoulddo。’MayI
kissyourhand，littlePrincess？’
Shewasonlybetweennineandten，thoughindeedshelookedseveralyearsolder，andhereyesalmostthoseofagrownwoman，forshehadhadterribletroubleoflate。
Sheheldoutherhand。
’Iamnotthelittleprincessanymore。IhavegrownupsinceI
sawyoulast，MrMiner。’
Thesmilewhichaccompaniedthewordshadinitastrangemixtureofplayfulnessandsadness。
’SoIsee，MissPrincess，’returnedCurdie;’andtherefore，beingmoreofaprincess，youarethemoremyprincess。HereIam，sentbyyourgreat—great—grandmother，tobeyourservant。MayIaskwhyyouareupsolate，Princess？’
’Becausemyfatherwakessofrightened，andIdon’tknowwhathewoulddoifhedidn’tfindmebyhisbedside。There！he’swakingnow。’
Shedartedofftothesideofthebedshehadcomefrom。
Curdiestoodwherehewas。
Avoicealtogetherunlikewhatherememberedofthemighty，noblekingonhiswhitehorsecamefromthebed，thin，feeble，hollow，andhusky，andintonelikethatofapetulantchild：
’Iwillnot，Iwillnot。Iamaking，andIwillbeaking。I
hateyouanddespiseyou，andyoushallnottortureme！’
’Nevermindthem，Fatherdear，’saidtheprincess。’Iamhere，andtheyshan’ttouchyou。Theydarenot，youknow，solongasyoudefythem。’
’Theywantmycrown，darling;andIcan’tgivethemmycrown，canI？Forwhatisakingwithouthiscrown？’
’Theyshallneverhaveyourcrown，myking，’saidIrene。’Hereitis—allsafe。Iamwatchingitforyou。’
Curdiedrewnearthebedontheotherside。Therelaythegrandoldking—helookedgrandstill，andtwentyyearsolder。Hisbodywaspillowedhigh;hisbearddescendedlongandwhiteoverthecrimsoncoverlid;andhiscrown，itsdiamondsandemeraldsgleaminginthetwilightofthecurtains，layinfrontofhim，hislongthinoldhandsfoldedroundit，andtheendsofhisbeardstrayingamongthelovelystones。Hisfacewaslikethatofamanwhohaddiedfightingnobly;butonethingmadeitdreadful：hiseyes，whiletheymovedaboutasifsearchinginthisdirectionandinthat，lookedmoredeadthanhisface。Hesawneitherhisdaughternorhiscrown：itwasthevoiceoftheoneandthetouchoftheotherthatcomfortedhim。Hekeptmurmuringwhatseemedwords，butwasunintelligibletoCurdie，although，tojudgefromthelookofIrene’sface，shelearnedandconcludedfromit。
Bydegreeshisvoicesankawayandthemurmuringceased，althoughstillhislipsmoved。Thuslaytheoldkingonhisbed，slumberingwithhiscrownbetweenhishands;ononesideofhimstoodalovelylittlemaiden，withblueeyes，andbrownhairgoingalittlebackfromhertemples，asifblownbyawindthatnoonefeltbutherself;andontheotherastalwartyoungminer，withhismattockoverhisshoulder。StrangersightstillwasLinalyingalongthethreshold—onlynobodysawherjustthen。
Amomentmoreandtheking’slipsceasedtomove。Hisbreathinghadgrownregularandquiet。Theprincessgaveasighofrelief，andcameroundtoCurdie。
’Wecantalkalittlenow，’shesaid，leadinghimtowardthemiddleoftheroom。’Myfatherwillsleepnowtillthedoctorwakeshimtogivehimhismedicine。Itisnotreallymedicine，though，butwine。Nothingbutthat，thedoctorsays，couldhavekepthimsolongalive。Healwayscomesinthemiddleofthenighttogiveithimwithhisownhands。Butitmakesmecrytoseehimwakeupwhensonicelyasleep。’
’Whatsortofmanisyourdoctor？’askedCurdie。
’Oh，suchadear，good，kindgentleman！’repliedtheprincess。’Hespeakssosoftly，andissosorryforhisdearking！Hewillbeherepresently，andyoushallseeforyourself。Youwilllikehimverymuch。’
’Hasyourking—fatherbeenlongill？’askedCurdie。
’Awholeyearnow，’shereplied。’Didyounotknow？That’showyourmothernevergottheredpetticoatmyfatherpromisedher。
ThelordchancellortoldmethatnotonlyGwyntystormbutthewholelandwasmourningovertheillnessofthegoodman。’
NowCurdiehimselfhadnotheardawordofHisMajesty’sillness，andhadnogroundforbelievingthatasinglesoulinanyplacehehadvisitedonhisjourneyhadheardofit。Moreover，althoughmentionhadbeenmadeofHisMajestyagainandagaininhishearingsincehecametoGwyntystorm，neveroncehadheheardanallusiontothestateofhishealth。Andnowitdawneduponhimalsothathehadneverheardtheleastexpressionoflovetohim。Butjustforthetimehethoughtitbettertosaynothingoneitherpoint。
’Doesthekingwanderlikethiseverynight？’heasked。
’Everynight，’answeredIrene，shakingherheadmournfully。’ThatiswhyInevergotobedatnight。Heisbetterduringtheday—
alittle，andthenIsleep—inthedressingroomthere，tobewithhiminamomentifheshouldcallme。Itissosadheshouldhaveonlymeandnotmymamma！Aprincessisnothingtoaqueen！’
’Iwishhewouldlikeme，’saidCurdie，’forthenImightwatchbyhimatnight，andletyougotobed，Princess。’
’Don’tyouknowthen？’returnedIrene，inwonder。’Howwasityoucame？Ah！Yousaidmygrandmothersentyou。ButIthoughtyouknewthathewantedyou。’
Andagainsheopenedwideherbluestars。
’NotI，’saidCurdie，alsobewildered，butveryglad。
’Heusedtobeconstantlysaying—hewasnotsoillthenasheisnow—thathewishedhehadyouabouthim。’
’AndInevertoknowit！’saidCurdie，withdispleasure。
’Themasterofthehorsetoldpapa’sownsecretarythathehadwrittentotheminer—generaltofindyouandsendyouup;buttheminer—generalwrotebacktothemasterofthehorse，andhetoldthesecretary，andthesecretarytoldmyfather，thattheyhadsearchedeverymineinthekingdomandcouldhearnothingofyou。
Myfathergaveagreatsigh，andsaidhefearedthegoblinshadgotyou，afterall，andyourfatherandmotherweredeadofgrief。Andhehasnevermentionedyousince，exceptwhenwandering。Icriedverymuch。Butoneofmygrandmother’spigeonswithitswhitewingflashedamessagetomethroughthewindowoneday，andthenIknewthatmyCurdiewasn’teatenbythegoblins，formygrandmotherwouldn’thavetakencareofhimonetimetolethimbeeatenthenext。Wherewereyou，Curdie，thattheycouldn’tfindyou？’
’Wewilltalkaboutthatanothertime，whenwearenotexpectingthedoctor，’saidCurdie。
Ashespoke，hiseyesfelluponsomethingshiningonthetableunderthelamp。Hisheartgaveagreatthrob，andhewentnearer。
Yes，therecouldbenodoubt—itwasthesameflagonthatthebutlerhadfilledinthewinecellar。
’Itlooksworseandworse！’hesaidtohimself，andwentbacktoIrene，whereshestoodhalfdreaming。
’Whenwillthedoctorbehere？’heaskedoncemore—thistimehurriedly。
Thequestionwasanswered—notbytheprincess，butbysomethingwhichthatinstanttumbledheavilyintotheroom。CurdieflewtowarditinvagueterroraboutLina。
Onthefloorlayalittleroundman，puffingandblowing，andutteringincoherentlanguage。Curdiethoughtofhismattock，andranandlaiditaside。
’Oh，dearDrKelman！’criedtheprincess，runningupandtakingholdofhisarm;’Iamsosorry！’Shepulledandpulled，butmightalmostaswellhavetriedtosetupacannonball。’Ihopeyouhavenothurtyourself？’
’Notatall，notatall，’saidthedoctor，tryingtosmileandtorisebothatonce，butfindingitimpossibletodoeither。
’ifhesleptonthefloorhewouldbelateforbreakfast，’saidCurdietohimself，andheldouthishandtohelphim。
Butwhenhetookholdofit，Curdieverynearlylethimfallagain，forwhatheheldwasnotevenafoot：itwasthebellyofacreepingthing。Hemanaged，however，toholdbothhispeaceandhisgrasp，andpulledthedoctorroughlyonhislegs—suchastheywere。
’YourRoyalHighnesshasratherathickmatatthedoor，’saidthedoctor，pattinghispalmstogether。’IhopemyawkwardnessmaynothavestartledHisMajesty。’
WhilehetalkedCurdiewenttothedoor：Linawasnotthere。
Thedoctorapproachedthebed。
’Andhowhasmybelovedkingslepttonight？’heasked。
’Nobetter，’answeredIrene，withamournfulshakeofherhead。
’Ah，thatisverywell！’returnedthedoctor，hisfallseemingtohavemuddledeitherhiswordsorhismeaning。’Whenwegivehimhiswine，hewillbebetterstill。’
Curdiedartedattheflagon，andliftedithigh，asifhehadexpectedtofinditfull，buthadfounditempty。
’Thatstupidbutler！Iheardthemsayhewasdrunk！’hecriedinaloudwhisper，andwasglidingfromtheroom。
’Comeherewiththatflagon，you！Page！’criedthedoctor。
Curdiecameafewstepstowardhimwiththeflagondanglingfromhishand，heedlessofthegushesthatfellnoiselessonthethickcarpet。
’Areyouaware，youngman，’saidthedoctor，’thatitisnoteverywinecandoHisMajestythebenefitIintendheshouldderivefrommyprescription？’
’Quiteaware，sir，answeredCurdie。’ThewineforHisMajesty’suseisinthethirdcaskfromthecorner。’
’Fly，then，’saidthedoctor，lookingsatisfied。
Curdiestoppedoutsidethecurtainandblewanaudiblebreath—nomore;upcameLinanoiselessasashadow。Heshowedhertheflagon。
’Thecellar，Lina：go，’hesaid。
Shegallopedawayonhersoftfeet，andCurdiehadindeedtoflytokeepupwithher。Notoncedidshemakeevenadubiousturn。Fromtheking’sgorgeouschambertothecoldcellartheyshot。Curdiedashedthewinedownthebackstair，rinsedtheflagonoutashehadseenthebutlerdo，filleditfromthecaskofwhichhehadseenthebutlerdrink，andhastenedwithitupagaintotheking’sroom。
Thelittledoctortookit，pouredoutafullglass，smelt，butdidnottasteit，andsetitdown。Thenheleanedoverthebed，shoutedintheking’sear，blewuponhiseyes，andpinchedhisarm：
Curdiethoughthesawhimrunsomethingbrightintoit。Atlastthekinghalfwoke。Thedoctorseizedtheglass，raisedhishead，pouredthewinedownhisthroat，andlethisheadfallbackonthepillowagain。Tenderlywipinghisbeard，andbiddingtheprincessgoodnightinpaternaltones，hethentookhisleave。Curdiewouldgladlyhavedrivenhispickintohishead，butthatwasnotinhiscommission，andhelethimgo。Thelittleroundmanlookedverycarefullytohisfeetashecrossedthethreshold。
’Thatattentivefellowofapagehasremovedthemat，’hesaidtohimself，ashewalkedalongthecorridor。’Imustrememberhim。’
CHAPTER20
CounterplottingCurdiewasalreadysufficientlyenlightenedastohowthingsweregoing，toseethathemusthavetheprincessofonemindwithhim，andtheymustworktogether。Itwasclearthatamongthoseaboutthekingtherewasaplotagainsthim：foronething，theyhadagreedinalieconcerninghimself;anditwasplainalsothatthedoctorwasworkingoutadesignagainstthehealthandreasonofHisMajesty，renderingthequestionofhislifeamatteroflittlemoment。Itwasinitselfsufficienttojustifytheworstfears，thatthepeopleoutsidethepalacewereignorantofHisMajesty’scondition：hebelievedthoseinsideitalso—thebutlerexcepted—wereignorantofitaswell。DoubtlessHisMajesty’scouncillorsdesiredtoalienatetheheartsofhissubjectsfromtheirsovereign。Curdie’sideawasthattheyintendedtokilltheking，marrytheprincesstooneofthemselves，andfoundanewdynasty;
butwhatevertheirpurpose，therewastreasoninthepalaceoftheworstsort：theyweremakingandkeepingthekingincapable，inordertoeffectthatpurpose—Thefirstthingtobeseento，therefore，wasthatHisMajestyshouldneithereatmorselnordrinkdropofanythingpreparedforhiminthepalace。Couldthishavebeenmanagedwithouttheprincess，Curdiewouldhavepreferredleavingherinignoranceofthehorrorsfromwhichhesoughttodeliverher。Hefearedalsothedangerofherknowledgebetrayingitselftotheevileyesabouther;butitmustberiskedandshehadalwaysbeenawisechild。
Anotherthingwascleartohim—thatwithsuchtraitorsnotermsofhonourwereeitherbindingorpossible，andthat，shortoflying，hemightuseanymeanstofoilthem。Andhecouldnotdoubtthattheoldprincesshadsenthimexpresslytofrustratetheirplans。
Whilehestoodthinkingthuswithhimself，theprincesswasearnestlywatchingtheking，withlooksofchildishloveandwomanlytendernessthatwenttoCurdie’sheart。Nowandthenwithagreatfanofpeacockfeathersshewouldfanhimverysoftly;nowandthen，seeingacloudbegintogatherupontheskyofhissleepingface，shewouldclimbuponthebed，andbendingtohisearwhisperintoit，thendrawbackandwatchagain—generallytoseetheclouddisperse。inhisdeepestslumber，thesoulofthekinglayopentothevoiceofhischild，andthatvoicehadpowereithertochangetheaspectofhisvisions，or，whichwasbetterstill，tobreathehopeintohisheart，andcouragetoendurethem。
Curdiecamenear，andsoftlycalledher。
’Ican’tleavePapajustyet，’shereturned，inalowvoice。
’Iwillwait，’saidCurdie;’butIwantverymuchtosaysomething。’
Inafewminutesshecametohimwherehestoodunderthelamp。
’Well，Curdie，whatisit？’shesaid。
’Princess，’hereplied，’IwanttotellyouthatIhavefoundwhyyourgrandmothersentme。’
’Comethisway，then，sheanswered，’whereIcanseethefaceofmyking。’
Curdieplacedachairforherinthespotshechose，whereshewouldbenearenoughtomarkanyslightestchangeonherfather’scountenance，yetwheretheirlow—voicedtalkwouldnotdisturbhim。
Therehesatdownbesideherandtoldherallthestory—howhergrandmotherhadsenthergoodpigeonforhim，andhowshehadinstructedhim，andsenthimtherewithouttellinghimwhathehadtodo。ThenhetoldherwhathehaddiscoveredofthestateofthingsgenerallyinGwyntystorm，andespeciallywhathehadheardandseeninthepalacethatnight。
’Thingsareinabadstateenough，’hesaidinconclusion—’lyingandselfishnessandinhospitalityanddishonestyeverywhere;andtocrownall，theyspeakwithdisrespectofthegoodking，andnotamanknowsheisill。’
’Youfrightenmedreadfully，’saidIrene，trembling。
’Youmustbebraveforyourking’ssake，’saidCurdie。
’IndeedIwill，’shereplied，andturnedalonglovinglookuponthebeautifulfaceofherfather。’Butwhatistobedone？AndhowamItobelievesuchhorriblethingsofDrKelman？’
’mydearPrincess，’repliedCurdie，’youknownothingofhimbuthisfaceandhistongue，andtheyarebothfalse。Eitheryoumustbewareofhim，oryoumustdoubtyourgrandmotherandme;forI
tellyou，bythegiftshegavemeoftestinghands，thatthismanisasnake。Thatroundbodyheshowsisbutthecaseofaserpent。
Perhapsthecreatureliesthere，asinitsnest，coiledroundandroundinside。’
’Horrible！’saidIrene。
’Horribleindeed;butwemustnottrytogetridofhorriblethingsbyrefusingtolookatthem，andsayingtheyarenotthere。Isnotyourbeautifulfathersleepingbettersincehehadthewine？’
’Yes。’
’Doeshealwayssleepbetterafterhavingit？’
Shereflectedaninstant。
’No;alwaysworse—tilltonight，’sheanswered。
’ThenrememberthatwasthewineIgothim—notwhatthebutlerdrew。Nothingthatpassesthroughanyhandinthehouseexceptyoursorminemusthenceforth，tillheiswell，reachHisMajesty’slips。’
’Buthow，dearCurdie？’saidtheprincess，almostcrying。
’Thatwemustcontrive，’answeredCurdie。’Iknowhowtotakecareofthewine;butforhisfood—nowwemustthink。’
’Hetakeshardlyany，’saidtheprincess，withapatheticshakeofherlittleheadwhichCurdiehadalmostlearnedtolookfor。
’Themoreneed，’hereplied，’thereshouldbenopoisoninit。’
Ireneshuddered。’Assoonashehashonestfoodhewillbegintogrowbetter。Andyoumustbejustascarefulwithyourself，Princess，’Curdiewenton，’foryoudon’tknowwhentheymaybegintopoisonyou，too。’
’There’snofearofme;don’ttalkaboutme，’saidIrene。’Thegoodfood！Howarewetogetit，Curdie？Thatisthewholequestion。’
’Iamthinkinghard，’answeredCurdie。’Thegoodfood？Letmesee—letmesee！SuchservantsasIsawbelowaresuretohavethebestofeverythingforthemselves：IwillgoanseewhatIcanfindontheirtable。’
’Thechancellorsleepsinthehouse，andheandthemasteroftheking’shorsealwayshavetheirsuppertogetherinaroomoffthegreathall，totherightasyougodownthestairs，’saidIrene。
’Iwouldgowithyou，butIdarenotleavemyfather。Alas！Hescarcelyevertakesmorethanamouthful。Ican’tthinkhowhelives！Andtheverythinghewouldlike，andoftenasksfor—abitofbread—Icanhardlyevergetforhim：DrKelmanhasforbiddenit，andsaysitisnothinglessthanpoisontohim。’
’Breadatleastheshallhave，’saidCurdie;’andthat，withthehonestwine，willdoaswellasanything，Idobelieve。Iwillgoatonceandlookforsome。ButIwantyoutoseeLinafirst，andknowher，lest，cominguponherbyaccidentatanytime，youshouldbefrightened。’
’Ishouldlikemuchtoseeher，’saidtheprincess。
Warninghernottobestartledbyherugliness，hewenttothedoorandcalledher。
Sheentered，creepingwithdowncasthead，anddragginghertailoverthefloorbehindher。Curdiewatchedtheprincessasthefrightfulcreaturecamenearerandnearer。Oneshudderwentfromheadtofoot，andnextinstantshesteppedtomeether。Linadroppedflatonthefloor，andcoveredherfacewithhertwobigpaws。Itwenttotheheartoftheprincess：inamomentshewasonherkneesbesideher，strokingheruglyhead，andpattingherallover。
’Gooddog！Dearuglydog！’shesaid。
Linawhimpered。
’Ibelieve，’saidCurdie，’fromwhatyourgrandmothertoldme，thatLinaisawoman，andthatshewasnaughty，butisnowgrowinggood。’
LinahadliftedherheadwhileIrenewascaressingher;nowshedroppeditagainbetweenherpaws;buttheprincesstookitinherhands，andkissedtheforeheadbetwixtthegold—greeneyes。
’ShallItakeherwithmeorleaveher？’askedCurdie。
’Leaveher，poordear，’saidIrene，andCurdie，knowingthewaynow，wentwithouther。
Hetookhiswayfirsttotheroomtheprincesshadspokenof，andtherealsoweretheremainsofsupper;butneithertherenorinthekitchencouldhefindascrapofplainwholesome—lookingbread。Sohereturnedandtoldherthatassoonasitwaslighthewouldgointothecityforsome，andaskedherforahandkerchieftotieitin。Ifhecouldnotbringithimself，hewouldsenditbyLina，whocouldkeepoutofsightbetterthanhe，andassoonasallwasquietatnighthewouldcometoheragain。Healsoaskedhertotellthekingthathewasinthehouse。Hishopelayinthefactthatbakerseverywheregotoworkearly。Butitwasyetmuchtooearly。Sohepersuadedtheprincesstoliedown，promisingtocallherifthekingshouldstir。
CHAPTER21
TheLoafHisMajestysleptveryquietly。Thedawnhadgrownalmostday，andstillCurdielingered，unwillingtodisturbtheprincess。
Atlast，however，hecalledher，andshewasintheroominamoment。Shehadslept，shesaid，andfeltquitefresh。Delightedtofindherfatherstillasleep，andsopeacefully，shepushedherchairclosetothebed，andsatdownwithherhandsinherlap。
Curdiegothismattockfromwherehehadhiddenitbehindagreatmirror，andwenttothecellar，followedbyLina。Theytooksomebreakfastwiththemastheypassedthroughthehall，andassoonastheyhadeatenitwentoutthebackway。
AtthemouthofthepassageCurdieseizedtherope，drewhimselfup，pushedawaytheshutter，andenteredthedungeon。ThenheswungtheendoftheropetoLina，andshecaughtitinherteeth。
Whenhermastersaid，’Now，Lina！’shegaveagreatspring，andheranawaywiththeendoftheropeasfastaseverhecould。Andsuchaspringhadshemade，thatbythetimehehadtobearherweightshewaswithinafewfeetofthehole。Theinstantshegotapawthrough，shewasallthrough。
Apparentlytheirenemieswerewaitingtillhungershouldhavecowedthem，fortherewasnosignofanyattempthavingbeenmadetoopenthedoor。AblowortwoofCurdie’smattockdrovetheshatteredlockcleanfromit，andtellingLinatowaittheretillhecameback，andletnoonein，hewalkedoutintothesilentstreet，anddrewthedoortobehindthem。Hecouldhardlybelieveitwasnotyetawholedaysincehehadbeenthrownintherewithhishandstiedathisback。
Downthetownhewent，walkinginthemiddleofthestreet，that，ifanyonesawhim，hemightseehewasnotafraid，andhesitatetorouseanattackonhim。Astothedogs，eversincethedeathoftheirtwocompanions，ashadowthatlookedlikeamattockwasenoughtomakethemscamper。Assoonashereachedthearchwayofthecitygateheturnedtoreconnoitrethebaker’sshop，andperceivingnosignofmovement，waitedtherewatchingforthefirst。