With this the attendants seized the prince, one on either side. Yet they paused when they perceived that the prince wished to speak: a final word to the chamberlain. The boy had turned upon Hubert a calm glance. A strange stillness had come over him. He spoke in a low, intense voice-- "Do not permit them to bind me," he said. "It would be shameful for a prince to be bound. I know you were not speaking in jest, but please do not let them bind me, as if I were a slave. I shall think of you as my friend--as long as my hands are free. Come, Hubert . . . do you recall how, when your head once ached, I put my handkerchief about it to comfort you? It was one that a princess did make for me. Remember how I have loved you--and do not let them bind me!" His plea prevailed. "So--then they shall not!" cried Hubert. And to the attendants he exclaimed fiercely, "Begone! Did I not bid you be swift, that the very blood in my veins should not turn to water? Fellows--begone! It may be that my task will be easier if I work alone and he resist me." The two attendants turned in terror before the wrath of the chamberlain and fled. And before Hubert had withdrawn his eyes from their retreating forms certain strange events came to pass. The Masked Lady had remained, strangely tranquil, before the Book of Truth; but now she lifted her eyes, because the great windows with their leaded panes had been thrust open. Outside the open windows there were revealed the head and shoulders of the giant, Will o'Dreams. The giant paused long enough to take in the scene before him, and then he disappeared in great agitation. A moment later he had reappeared and had lifted Everychild to a level with the window sill. CHAPTER XIX HOW AN UNFORTUNATE PRINCE ESCAPED The giant could be heard whispering to Everychild: "I cannot enter here. The things which are taking place in this room--they stagger me. But you may do so." Whereupon he placed Everychild on the window sill and withdrew with a shudder. A light leap, and Everychild was in the room, advancing and taking in his surroundings with amazed eyes. But no one paid any attention to him. Hubert de Burgh stood near Prince Arthur, a smoking iron in his hand. The two attendants closed the door behind them with a crash. Then Arthur spoke again: "I could not bear to have them looking, Hubert," he said. "It will be easier, just we two alone. I am ready now." It was then that Hubert gripped Arthur by the shoulder; he brought the hot iron close to his face. And then again his resolution failed him. His hand trembled; he paused. Presently he was gazing away over the prince's head, almost as if he saw a vision, and his hand on the boy's shoulder slowly relaxed. "A strange lad!--a strange lad!" he mused. And then looking wonderingly at Arthur he added, "The agony is gone from your eyes when you look at me now. And yet it is I who would destroy you--not those fellows who made you tremble so!"