I sat down, rather clownishly I felt, beside an aged and simpering
chancellor that once had seemed wise, but now seemed innocent,
nibbling a biscuit crisp as scandal. For after all the horn _would_
sound. Childhood had been quite sure of that--needed not even the
author's testimony. They were alert to rise, scattering all dust,
victors over Time and outrageous Fortune.
Almost with a cry of apprehension I perceived again the solitary
Prince. But he merely smiled faintly. "You see, sir," he said, "how
weary must a guardianship be of them who never tire. The snow falls,
and the bright light falls on all these faces; yet not even my Lady
Melancholy stirs a dark lid. And all these dog-days--" He glanced at
his motionless hounds. They raised languidly their narrow heads,
whimpering softly, as if beseeching of their master that long-delayed
supper--haplessly me. "No, no, sirs," said the Prince, as if he had
read their desire as easily as he whom it so much concerned. "Guard,
guard, and hearken. This gentleman is not the Prince we await, Sallow;
not the Prince, Safte! And now, sir,"--he turned again to me--"there
is yet one other sleeper--she who hath brought so much quietude on a
festive house.
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