"I am come," she smiled. "Is not the word of a princess sure? Ah, how could I not come?"
"See, love," said he, rising, "day dawns in royal purple for you, and golden love for me."
"The purple is for my king, and the love for me," she whispered, as he led her to her horse. "Your fortune!" said she, pointing to them. "But I also have brought a dowry—fancy, five hundred crowns!" and her mirth and happiness burst out in a laugh. It was so deliciously little, five hundred crowns!
She was mounted now, and he stood by her.
"Will you turn back?" he said.
"You shall not make me angry," said she. "Come, mount."
"Aye, I must mount," said he. "For if we were found here the king would kill me."
For the first time the peril of their enterprise seemed to strike, into her mind, and turned her cheek pale.
"Ah, I forgot! In my happiness I forgot. Mount, mount! Oh, if he found you!"
He mounted. Once they clasped hands; then they rode swiftly for the western gate.