"Oh, I must!" said Agnes, and so they let her go.
One step, two steps, then she staggered; but they caught her before she had time to fall.
"You will soon learn; children always do," said the young man.
"Child!" she cried; "I am not a child. I am over twelve years old, and maid of honour to Princess Henrietta Maria. Who are you?" And she threw up her head and looked him in the face.
His blue eyes laughed quizzically: "I am Reginald Newbolt," he said, "and this is my sister Ann. We are not grand people like you."
"I am not grand at all; I am nobody," Agnes answered, colouring. "I must go; Patience is signing to me, and Princess Henrietta is shivering on the side of the lake. Will you come again to-morrow and help me? I should like to be friends with you."
"We shall be only too glad," answered Ann. "We will come every day as long as the frost lasts. Now we will take you back to your people."
They took her hands and made her skate in time with them.
"To think I can go so well with you and not alone!" she said. "It is annoying."
"You need not fear," said Reginald. "In a few days you will go alone; you have the knack of it."