Page:The Princess and Curdie.djvu/214

 CHAPTER XXV. THE AVENGERS.

HERE was nothing now to be dreaded from Dr. Kelman, but it made Curdie anxious, as the evening drew near, to think that a soulnot a soul [sic] belonging to the court had been to visit the king, or ask how he did, that day. He feared, in some shape or other, a more determined assault. He had provided himself a place in the room, to which he might retreat upon approach, and whence he could watch; but not once had he had to betake himself to it.

Towards night the king fell asleep. Curdie thought more and more uneasily of the moment when he must again leave them for a little while. Deeper and deeper fell the shadows. No one came to light the lamp. The princess drew her chair close to Curdie: she would rather it were not so dark, she said. She was afraid of something—she could not tell what; nor could she give