"Perhaps he's gone to bed," said a girl.
"He can't have; he never goes to bed as early as this. We have played with him night after night. He loves it, doesn't he, Malsprita?"
"When I do it."
More giggles. Then the voice of Drakina was heard, saying she was frightened.
"Andrea!" cried Makzelo.
They all shouted; there was no reply.
"Let's go and look for him in the corridors. How strange! he was dreadfully excited about his Queen. He mustn't be disappointed."
"I'm frightened," said Drakina. "I don't want to be his Queen."
"You who wanted so to be in a real King's arms. What a little coward you are!"
"But the corridors are so dark. Is he very dreadful to look at, Malsprita?"