Page:Maria Felicia.pdf/136

 than his rider. I had to finish the journey accompanied only by my harp.”

And the harper, turning to his instrument, ran lightly over its strings. A sweet trilling sound poured forth as if the harp were repaying the compliment.

“Did the young gentleman come alone from the parsonage?” said the astonished stewardess, turning from the fireplace, where she had just thrown a few eggs into a pot of boiling water, to the table, which she started to cover with a coarse cloth. “How could our chaplain let you travel without an escort? What if you had lost your way in this dense forest? To-day, for the first time, I don’t know what to think of him. At other times he is so particular and careful.”

“I refused the escort he offered me. They showed me the direction of the Palace, and I started out alone. As you see, I have found the way,” the harper shortly answered, evidently not being anxious for any conversation.

“Straying off is not the only thing to fear,