children were playing about in the dirt, and a young mother was endeavouring to appease a little red-faced creature that was yelling vigorously. On seeing Prokop’s irate visage it suddenly stopped. “Good-evening,” muttered Prokop, and wandered back with his fists clenched. Mr. Holz followed him five paces behind.
On the way to the castle he ran into the Princess on horseback accompanied by a whole cavalcade of officers. He would have turned off down a side path, but the Princess in a flash had ridden up to him. “If you would like to ride,” she said quickly, and her dark face flushed, “Premier is at your disposition.”
Prokop edged away from the careering Whirlwind. He had never been on a horse in his life, but would not have admitted this for anything in the world. “Thank you,” he said, “but there is no need . . . to sweeten . . . my imprisonment.”
The Princess frowned. It was certainly out of place to refer to the matter so directly in speaking to her; however, she controlled herself and, suavely combining a reproach and an invitation, answered: “I beg you not to forget that at the castle you are my guest.”
“That doesn’t matter to me,” mumbled Prokop obstinately, watching every movement of the nervous horse.
The Princess, irritated, made a movement with her foot; Whirlwind snorted and began to rear. “Don’t be frightened of him,” Willy threw out with a smile.
Prokop, furious, struck the horse a blow on the
