tion with what a roar she would spring at my throat. But you shall see how lightly she wakes the moment I speak to her.—Lina!"
She was on her feet the same instant, with her great tail sticking out straight behind her, just as it had been lying.
"Good dog!" said the princess, and patted her head. Lina wagged her tail solemnly, like the boom of an anchored sloop. Irene took the crown, and laid it where the king would see it when he woke.
"Now, princess," said Curdie, "I must leave you for a few minutes. You must bolt the door, please, and not open it to any one."
Away to the cellar he went with Lina, taking care, as they passed through the servants' hall, to get her a good breakfast. In about one minute she had eaten what he gave her, and looked up in his face: it was not more she wanted, but work. So out of the cellar they went through the passage, and Curdie into the dungeon, where he pulled up Lina, opened the door, let her out, and shut it again behind her. As he reached the door of the king's chamber, Lina was flying out of the gate of Gwyntystorm as fast as her mighty legs could carry her.
"What's come to the wench?" growled the men-servants one to another, when the chambermaid appeared among them the next morning. There was something in
