But he was no longer afraid.  His mind was filled with the beautiful scenes he had witnessed, his imagination stirred to activity.  Why might he not behold these things again as a reality, instead of only a semblance of it?  How grand it would be to travel and see novel and beautiful sights, to learn also wonderful things!  And as he quietly thought, he heard the click, click of little boots, and Knops was beside him, followed by Paz.  Leo greeted them warmly.

“Did you suppose that we had deserted you?” asked Knops, sitting down by his side on the couch as if exhausted.

“Yes, I was a little alarmed; it was so strange to find myself alone in such a place, for of course I had no idea which way to turn or what to do.”

“You were so soundly asleep that I had not the cruelty to disturb you, and it was necessary for Paz to go with me.  From what you have witnessed you may guess how we have been employed and how much we have had to detain us; but you may rest assured that nothing would keep me from finishing what I have undertaken.  You have now had a Vision of Life and a Vision of Labor, for such I call our two pantomimes.  Am I wrong in supposing that they have pleased you?”

“No, indeed,” said Leo, quickly, his usual drawl giving place to a tone of bright animation.  “I thank you a thousand times for your entertainment and instruction.  I have been so pleased and delighted that I can hardly express myself as I ought to do.  I am afraid I seem a very good-for-nothing fellow to you.”

“Indeed you do not.  Don’t suppose I would waste time on a good-for-naught.  Paz can tell you what attracted me to you—­can’t you, Paz?”

“Yes, sir; the Prince Leo’s kindness of heart is the secret of his power with us.”

Leo blushed as he looked up and asked, “How did you know I was soft-hearted?”

“By your kindness to animals and all living things.  Ah! we are close observers, are we not, Paz?”

“Necessarily, Master Professor.”

“Our powers of observation have revealed to us many of the mysteries which man longs to solve.  There’s the Gulf Stream, for instance.  But you are not up in science yet.  No matter.  You have time enough before you if you will only apply yourself.  Has anything you have seen made you anxious to know more?”

“Oh, don’t mention it!” exclaimed Leo.  “I am so awfully ashamed of my ignorance that I would do anything to get rid of it.  I want to know all about those curious things.”

“Good! the seed is sown, Paz,” said Knops, complacently, with the nearest approach to a wink Leo had seen on his grave little countenance.  “Now you must rest again before we start for home.”

Leo would have been very willing to do without more rest, remembering his alarm, but he could not be so selfish as to deprive his companion of it; so he at once assented, tempted to ask only that he might not be left quite so long again alone.  But fearing this would imply distrust, and being really no coward, he said nothing.  He was relieved, however, to hear Knops command Paz to remain with him.