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Through the Fire.
191

“Your Royal Highness should not walk too fast,” said one.

“Had not your Royal Highness better sit down?” said another.

“Will your Royal Highness not return to the palace?” asked a third. But the Princess only shook her head in silence, and walked on as before.

Then Jack, seeing her so beautiful, and so unhappy, could contain himself no longer, but burst out,—

“Oh, poor Princess! how sorry I am for you!”

At this the Princess raised her eyes for the first time. Such bright eyes they were, shining just like stars, Jack could not bear to look at them, but had to turn his own another way.

“Who spoke?” said the Princess, in a low, sad voice. “Which of you spoke?”

The ladies said nothing, but looked at each other in surprise.

“Some one said she was sorry for me, and I am sure you need not mind my knowing which of you it was,” continued the Princess, beginning to sob, only, instead of tears, sparks fell from her eyes.

Here all the ladies drew about her, and tried to soothe her.

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