had her home. A sentinel was at the entrance of the vast
courtyard through which he had learned he must pass. The guard looked
so imposing that Nono almost trembled as he took off his felt hat and
asked the way to the part of the palace where the princess lived. The
sentinel condescended to point his finger towards the colonnade under
which the desired door was to be found.

A lady was just ringing the bell. Nono watched her, and then closely
imitated her movements. The door flew open for him, too, as it had
done for her. A dignified, gray-haired man, in a livery Nono
considered quite royal apparel, looked inquiringly at the little
visitor. Nono asked simply to see the princess about a matter of
importance. He was shown into a room, where a fair-haired lady gave
him a kindly reception, and told him her royal highness would see him
in a few moments.

What rich moments of waiting those were for little Nono! He stood as
if on enchanted ground. From the wall looked out faces of gentlemen
and ladies in gorgeous array. Real people they seemed to be, though
silent and quiet, as, encircled by bright frames, they condescended to
be looked at by the wondering, admiring black eyes that were fixed upon
them. There, too, were bits of nature brought into that rich
room--flashing waterfalls, and quiet pastures, and golden skies through
which Nono almost fancied he could see the heaven beyond.

Nono stepped on the soft carpet without a thought of its strangeness to
his rustic feet. A vision of beauty had been vouchsafed to him, and
his eyes glanced from picture to picture, now glistening with delight
and now lost in rapt admiration.

The fair lady, who had been watching him with amusement, soon told him
that he might now go in to her royal highness, but only for a few
moments, as this was her morning for receiving the poor, and as she had
many to talk with her she was very tired.

Nono saw nothing of the room into which he was now admitted, nothing
but the tall, slender, stooping figure that came forward to meet him.
The painters have liked to give the angels golden hair, but this was to
Nono a black-haired angel. Smooth, dark, glossy bands framed in the
high, full forehead, while the delicate chin made a corresponding point
below. The large brown eyes were full of loving light, and the thin
mouth smiled a welcome before the lips had spoken it.

"What have you to say to me, my boy?" said the princess. A weary look