prince, delighted at receiving this permission, flew back to the Queen to lift her from her horse; but, alas! Elvira was not in a state to enjoy even the most welcome tidings. Pale and livid as a corpse, her head hung upon the prince's shoulder as he bore her into the house, and her terrified friends thought she had expired. A little warm milk, however, revived her, and she opened her eyes.
"I am ready—quite ready—to go on," said she, gasping for utterance, and again sinking back in a fainting fit.
"It is impossible she can proceed in this state," said the prince to Clara, in a whisper; "what will become of us?"
"We must remain here quietly, till she is better," said Clara.
"But if we should be pursued and taken?"
"We cannot die better than in such a cause," said the heroic girl.
"It is strange," said the prince, looking at her earnestly, "that the Queen has been able to inspire such enthusiastic devotion in such a mere boy."
Clara blushed, and cast her eyes upon the
