tion of the gate, and for this
they bent their steps, Lorry and Quinnox conversing in low tones, the
Princess striding along silently beside the former, her hand in his--a
fact of which the real soldier was totally unaware. Reaching the gate,
the captain pounded vigorously, and a sleepy monk soon peered from the
little window through which shone the light.

"On important business with the Abbot, from Her Royal Highness, the
Princess Yetive," said Quinnox, in response to a sharp query, spoken in
the Graustark tongue. A little gate beside the big one opened and the
monk, lantern in hand, bade them enter.

"Await me here, captain," commanded the slim, straight soldier, with
face turned from the light. A moment later the gate closed and Lorry was
behind the walls of St. Valentine's, a prisoner again. The monk preceded
them across the dark court toward the great black mass, his lantern
creating ghastly shadows against the broken mist. His followers dropped
some little distance behind, the tall one's arm stealing about the
other's waist, his head bending to a level with hers.

"Is it to be good-by, dearest?" he asked. "Good-by forever?"

"I cannot say that. It would be like wishing you dead. Yet there is
no hope. No, no! We will not say good-by,--forever," she said,
despairingly.

"Won't you bid me hope?"

"Impossible! You will stay here until Quinnox comes to take you away.
Then you must not stop until you are in your own land. We may meet
again."

"Yes, by my soul, we shall meet again! I'll do as you bid and all that,
but I'll come back when I can stay away no longer. Go to your castle
and look forward to the day that will find me at your feet again. It is
bound to come. But how are you to return to the castle tonight and enter
without creating suspicion? Have you thought of that?"

"Am I a child? Inside of three hours I shall be safely in my bed and but
one person in the castle will be the wiser for my absence. Here are the
portals." They passed inside the massive doors and halted. "You must
remain here until I have seen the prior," she said, laughing nervously
and glancing down at the boots which showed beneath the long coat. Then
she hastily followed the monk, disappearing down the corridor. In ten
minutes--ten hours to Lorry--she returned with her guide.

"He will take you to your room," she said breathlessly, displaying
unmistakable signs of embarrassment. "The prior was shocked. Good-by,
and God be with you