"She's got such a smart frock on," Montagu objected. "Suppose she got dirty."
"What secret place?" asked the princess, emerging from behind the curtains.
"It's a wee tunnel, and you go up it and come out on the roof, but you'd spoil your dress. Are you going to a party, that you're so fine?"
"I'm not fine," the princess cried indignantly. "It's just an or'nary dress; it'll wash. Do show me the secret place."
"Will you promise not to play princess when we get there?" Edmund demanded.
"Not if you don't like it," she answered, looking very surprised; "but it's such a lovely game."
"Hush! they're calling us," Montagu exclaimed; "we must go down."
"But the secret place," cried Herrick. "I must see the secret place."
"You can't now; we must go. Next time, perhaps. All right, Guardie, we're coming. Here, you'd better let me carry you, the stairs are awfully steep. Bring her coat and things, Edmund."
This time the princess consented, and Montagu staggered downstairs bearing this precious and, for him, exceedingly heavy burden.