“I’ll stay here,” said the Rose-Princess obediently; “but will you please give me something to eat?—I feel rather hungry.”
So Ardram brought out some bread and wine, off which the Princess made a hearty meal, talking to her host all the time she was eating.
“I saw you in the palace yesterday,” she said, looking straight at Ardram.
“Yes,” replied the student, blushing; “I was with the people. We only wanted justice, and I did not think they would go on like they did. The people were too strong for me, so I left them.”
“And will you put my father on the throne again?” asked the Rose-Princess eagerly.
“I’m afraid that will be impossible, Princess,” said Ardram quietly, “unless he promises to govern better. You see, many years ago, a king was deposed for governing badly, and your grandfather was put on the throne—now they’ll offer the crown to some one else.”
“Perhaps they’ll offer it to you?” suggested the Rose-Princess.
“I don’t think so,” said Ardram, laughing, as he arose to his feet; “but if I did become king, I would take care that all my subjects were well off. Now I’ll go out, Princess, and you stay here.”
“Very well,” answered the Rose-Princess; “and do look for my parents.”
“I will—though I daresay they’ve left the city,” said Ardram, and he went away more in love with the Princess than ever.