lvane," said Coronel thoughtfully.

"Oh, Coronel, Coronel," cried Hyacinth, "if _you_ fall in love with
her, too, I think I shall die of shame!"

"With _her_, Hyacinth?" he said, turning to her in amazement.

"Yes, you--I didn't--you never--I----" Her voice trailed away; she
could not meet his gaze any longer; she dropped her eyes, and the next
moment his arms were round her, and she knew that she would never be
alone again.

CHAPTER XIX

UDO BEHAVES LIKE A GENTLEMAN

"And now," said Coronel, "we'd better decide what to do."

"But I don't mind what we do now," said Hyacinth happily. "She may
have the throne and Father and Udo, and--and anything else she can
get, and I shan't mind a bit. You see, I have got _you_ now, Coronel,
and I can never be jealous of anybody again."

"That's what makes it so jolly. We can do what we like, and it
doesn't matter if it doesn't come off. So just for fun let's think of
something to pay her out."

"I feel I don't want to hurt anybody to-day."

"All right, we won't hurt her, we'll humour her. We will be her most
humble obedient servants. She shall have everything she wants."

"Including Prince Udo," smiled Hyacinth.

"That's a splendid idea. We'll make her have Udo. It will annoy your
father, but one can't please everybody. Oh, I can see myself enjoying
this."

They got up and wandered back along Wiggs's path, hand in hand.

"I'm almost afraid to leave the forest," said Hyacinth, "in case
something happens."

"What should happen?"

"I don't know; but all our life together has been in the forest, and
I'm just a little afraid of the world."

"I will be very close to you always, Hyacinth."

"Be very close, Coronel," she whispered, and then they walked out
together.

If any of the servants at the Palace were surprised to see Coronel,
they did not show it. After all, that was their business.

"Prince Coronel will be staying here," said the Princess. "Prepare a
room for him and some refreshment for us both." And if they discussed
those things in the servants' halls of those days (as why should they
not?), no doubt they told each other that the Princess Hyacinth (bless
her pretty face!) had found her man at last. Why, you only had to see
her looking at him. But I get no assistance from Roger at this point;
he pretends that he has a mind far above the gossip of the lower
orders.

"I say," said Coronel, as they went up the grand staircase, "I am not