“Ah, I cannot tell you how beautiful.  So straight and tall and brave, yet with a great tenderness a little hidden from sight.  Her lips curved a little, mournfully, as if she had been singing a sad song; yet there was an expression in her eyes—­a soft, calm expression, which made everything seem right when you looked into them.  There are even now moments when I feel . . .  I scarcely know how to explain it to you.  It’s as if she were near by, whispering, and I couldn’t think just where to look for her.”

“I’ll help you to look for her,” said Everychild heartily.  And then together they quit the attic and went cautiously down the narrow staircase.

Only a few moments later they had taken their places among their companions and had fallen asleep.

CHAPTER XXII

THE END OF A HUNDRED YEARS

They all resumed their journey at sunrise, carrying with them a fair supply of food which the townspeople had brought; and by noon they had crossed the boundary into a different kingdom, where the cruelties of the wicked King John were wholly unknown, and where Prince Arthur became almost the gayest member of the band.

Late in the afternoon they came within sight of another castle; and as they were now journeying through a very lonely region, they decided that it would be a wise plan to apply at this place for accommodations for the night.

Somewhat to their dismay, however, they discovered upon drawing nearer that the castle was surrounded by a forest so dense that not even the smallest member of the band could penetrate between the trunks and branches.  Nor did there seem to be a road for them to take, the only thing resembling a road having been abandoned so long that it was quite overgrown.

It was here that Will o’Dreams found opportunity to render a most important service.  Without the slightest spirit of boasting he stepped forward, saying, “Follow me!”

To the amazement of all, the trees parted so that a way was opened and the entire band now found it quite easy to follow in the footsteps of the giant.

Together they all began to climb the hill in the direction of the mysterious castle.

But while the children are wending their way up the hill, let us take leave of them for a time, that we may have a peep at one of the rooms of the castle.

The room has been described as “the finest room in a king’s palace,” and while this would seem a somewhat exaggerated statement, there were at least many evidences of elegance to be noted.

Rich tapestries hung about the walls.  They presented certain stories from mythology in the form of pictures traced in golden threads.  There were golden candlesticks, and even the chairs and tables were of gold.

At the far side of the room, which was very large, there appeared to be a sort of alcove before which a damask curtain was closely drawn.