THE CASTLE OF GEMS.
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blushed, and cast down her eyes; but Victor knew they were full of tears of joy. He held her hand, and whispered,—
"Will you go with me and be my bride, beautiful Blanche?"
"I will go with you," she answered softly; and Victor's heart rejoiced.
All the while Blanche never dreamed that he was a great prince, and that the men who came with him were his courtiers.
When they reached Victor's kingdom, and the people shouted "Long live the queen!" Blanche veiled her face, and trembled; for Victor whispered in her ear that the shouts were for her. And, as the people saw her beautiful face through her gossamer veil, they cried all the more loudly,—
"Long live Queen Blanche! Thrice welcome, fair lady!"
The sun was sinking in the west, and his
