"None, your highness."
"What have you in your hand?"
"The Book of Life."
"Come nearer and let me see it."
The ladies-in-waiting were, as usual, grouped near their mistress, and they stared curiously at the peasant boy.
Only Topaz, who at his entrance had bounded from a satin cushion as golden as his flossy coat, leaped upon him with every sign of affection.
Gabriel approached and handed the book to the princess.
She opened it and ran her eye over the gray pages. "I see no fiery letters," she said, and handed it back. The boy opened it. As usual a flaming verse arrested his eye. He pointed with his finger at the words and read aloud:—
"'He shall call upon me and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble: I will deliver him and honor him.'"