The Nameless Castle | Page 9

opened her eyes
only when the curtains were drawn back and the light from the window
fell on her face.
"How kind of you to waken me, monsieur!" she said, smiling; she was
in a good humor, as children are who have slept well. "I have slept
splendidly. This bed is as good as my own at home. And how delightful
not to hear my governess scolding! You never scold, do you, monsieur?
I deserve to be scolded, though, for I was very naughty last night, and
you were so kind to me--gave me such nice egg-punch; see, there is a
glass of it left over; it will do for my breakfast. I love cold punch, so
you need not trouble to bring me any chocolate." With these words, the
little maid sprang nimbly from the bed, ran with the naïveté of an
eight-year-old child to the table, where she settled herself in the corner
of the sofa, drew her bare feet up under her, and proceeded to breakfast
on the left-over punch and biscuits.
"There! that was a good breakfast," she said, after she had finished her
meal. "Oh, I almost forgot. Has mama sent for me?"
"Certainly not, my dear! We are going, by and by, to look for her. The
countess very likely has not yet learned of your disappearance; and if
she does know that you did not return home last night, she believes you
safe with the marquis. She will think you were not allowed to return
home in the storm, and will not expect to see you before noon."
"You are very clever, monsieur. I should never have thought of that! I
imagined that mama would be vexed, and when mama is cross she is so
disagreeable. At other times, though, she is perfectly lovely! You will
see how very beautiful she is, monsieur, for you are coming home with
me to tell her how you found me--you are so very kind! How I wish
you were my papa!"
The old gentleman was touched by the little one's artless prattle.

"Well, my dear little maid," he said tenderly, "we can't think of
showing ourselves on the street in such a costume. Besides, it would
frighten your mama to see you so. I am going out to one of the shops to
buy you a frock. Tell me, what sort was it Diana took from you?"
"A lovely pink silk, trimmed with lace, with short sleeves," promptly
replied the little maid.
"I shall not forget--a pink silk, trimmed with lace. You need not be
afraid to stay alone here. No one will come while I am away."
"Oh, I am not the least bit afraid. I like to be alone sometimes."
"There is the doll to keep you company," suggested the old gentleman,
more and more pleased with his affable little visitor.
"Is n't she lovely!" enthusiastically exclaimed the child. "She slept with
me last night, and every time I woke up I kissed her."
"You shall have her for your own, if you like her so much, my dear."
"Oh, thank you! Did the doll belong to your dear little daughter who is
dead?"
"Yes--yes," sorrowfully murmured the old gentleman.
"Then I will not play with her, but keep her locked in my little
cupboard, and call her Philine. That was the name of my little sister
who is dead. Come here, Philine, and sit by me."
"Perhaps you might like to look at a book while I am away--"
"A book!" interrupted the child, with a merry laugh, clapping her hands.
"Why, I am just learning the alphabet, and can't bring myself to call a
two-pronged fork 'y.'"
"You dear little innocent rogue!" tenderly ejaculated the old gentleman.
"Are you fond of flowers?"

He brought from the adjoining room a porcelain flowerpot containing a
narcissus in bloom.
"Oh, what a charming flower!" cried the child, admiringly. "How I
wish I might pluck just one!"
"Help yourself, my dear," returned her host, pushing the plant toward
her.
The child daintily broke off one of the snowy blossoms, and, with
childlike coquetry, fastened it in the trimming of her chemise.
"What is this beautiful flower called, monsieur?"
"The narcissus."
At mention of the name the little maid suddenly clapped her hands and
cried joyfully:
"Why, that is the name of our palace! Now don't you know where it
is?"
"The 'Palace of Narcissus'? I have heard of it."
"Then you will have no trouble finding my home. Oh, you dear good
little flower!" and she kissed the snowy blossom rapturously.
The old gentleman surveyed her smilingly for a few moments, then
said:
"I will go now, and buy the frock."
"And while you are away I shall tell Philine the story of Gargantua,"
responded the child.
"Lock