THE BOY MINSTREL
not made for dance or song, even in the court of royalty. Her soul has visions and high aspirations though she is but a slave. And on the night of her escape she disappeared, even like one of the tribe of the Ginii, whom, I sometimes believe, she invoked by her strange spells and charms."
A loud peal of laughter spoke the incredulity of the Prince.
"Some of the spells and charms, methinks, were cast on one of flesh and blood, and to some purpose. A vanished fairy may pay angel visits, may she not? A soldier, riding forty miles in a dark night with a pretty maiden on his bosom, doth not let her disappear in mid-air, doth he?"
"I have told thee what I know, Prince, believe what thou likest," said Noren, a little piqued.
"To think," rejoined the Prince, shaking with laughter, "that thou, a stranger from Bengal, shouldst win the prettiest girl of Agra, while we pour forth our sighs in vain."
"I implore thee, Prince, to credit me, thy suspicions are unfounded. That girl, I believe, is true as the steel she wears."
"To think," went on the Prince, scarcely listening to Norendra's protestations, "that the fairy of the Tartar mountains should obey the spell of the Eastern Chief, while the poet of Rajasthan may invoke her with all the power of his verses in vain. Ha! what sound is that?"
Once more a strange sound, a low wail or a rippling laughter, broke the silence of the night. Both sprung on their feet.
"'Tis a warning, happy lover," said the still smiling Prince, "that I have stood too long between
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