Porphyrius looked across at them with grave consideration. "I would we were only safely past Reichenberg," he exclaimed. "They can overlook the whole valley from thence and it seems to me that it is dangerous to take the road by day; our dress will betray us and we might be carried prisoners to the castle."
"Does any danger threaten you from thence?" asked the girl.
"Yes," said Porphyrius anxiously.
"Then let us rest in the wood till nightfall," the little one counselled, "and take the road at dusk."
"That will not do, we might lose our way in the dark," said Porphyrius.
"Not if I lead you; oh no! I am used to find my way in the dark," and a shadow of deep pain passed across her face as she spoke. Porphyrius looked at her much disappointed. "Do you not come from higher realms than we do?"
"Oh God knows!" sighed the child, folding her little hands across her bosom. "My foot has carried me as a fugitive about the world all the days of my life, and my eyes shun the light like a nightbird's, for the sun has rarely shone on me. I have hidden myself by day in the darkness of the wood and walked about at night."
"God preserve us!" cried Porphyrius, signing himself with a cross.
"That is a hard lot," said Donatus.
"Oh, it was well that it should be so, for thus I am able to guide you wherever you must go in the dark."