"Perhaps," answered Helka. "You see, they might fear punishment if you escaped; with me it would be—my punishment."
"But what shall I do?" sighed Cora. "Do you really think they intend to keep me here?"
"Is this not a pleasant place?"
"It is indeed—with you. And I am glad that, bad as it is, I have had a chance to know you. I feel some day that I shall have a chance to help you."
"You are a cheerful girl. I was afraid you would put in all your time crying. Then they would take you away."
"No use to cry," replied Cora, as brightly as she could. "Of course, it is dreadful. But, at least, I am not being abused."
"Nor shall you be. The gypsies are not cruel; they are merely revengeful. I think I like them because they are my truest friends in all the whole, wide world."
A tap at the door stopped the conversation. Then a girl entered. She was the one who had been in the van with Cora!
She looked keenly at the captive and smiled.
"Do you wish anything?" she asked of the queen.