The Princess of Ellel once out of the shadow of the cottage, crossed the narrow street into the precincts of the Temple. The air was crisp, and the sun setting in accordance with the vesper hour; and she walked up the broad front steps with a heart that beat with much more anticipation than actual love. She had not been there long before the High Priest’s carriage drew up in the spacious square below--and an extravagant lamplighter began lighting the round-glassed street lamps. All this excited her curiosity, for she was young enough to notice everything, but her ears followed the rumbling of the organ inside, and by it she judged the progress of the Service. At last it was over, and the few people who had been in attendance came away. Then a pause followed, and at last the smaller door was again flung open, and this time the High Priest came out, followed by those personally attached to him. For a moment she was seized with such shyness that she stepped back quickly into the shadow, but this was momentary, and the reaction absolute. “Sir! I beg a penny of you. Please a penny. My mother is dead, my father is drunk, my little sisters and brothers are dependent on me. Please give me a penny, sir; just a penny.” So she followed him down the many steps with frequent repetition, but he--being a great man--was eaten up with thought, and his Chaplain tried to rebuke her, but she paid no heed. At last, when the august foot was placed on the carriage step, Marigold could stand his absent mind no longer--her tiny fingers clutched at the long sleeve of his gown. “If you have no copper, sir, give me silver; if no silver, gold. We are dying of hunger, and the Serpent is kind to the poor who believe on him. Sir, if you have none other, give me gold.” Thus adjured, Alphonso stood and looked at her--the hard, disappointed eyes into the enigmatical eyes of youth. “Gold!” replied he, with great displeasure and rebuke. “In rags, and asking gold! What is Lucifram coming to? Tell her, Eaglestone, she may come round to the Palace for a bread ticket,” and he got inside. “Young woman,” said the Chaplain, not unkindly, “the side door of the Palace is open every day at noon that bread and soup may be distributed. Bring your children then--they will be well fed if they are hungry.” “But supper,” she cried, tears rising in abundance; “we have no food, we have eaten nothing all day. We’ll be dead to-morrow,” and her pretty shoulders shook with the grim hardness of it. “Eaglestone! I have a meeting at eight. No time for my dinner, absolutely no time. If you’ve promised her the ticket, come.” “My Lord, she says they’ve nothing in the house to-night.” “I don’t approve of the colour of her hair--I----” “Oh, sir, I don’t approve of it myself. I hate my hair, I always have done. Take it if you will, only--only give me something in return.”