"You are wondrous kind." Then, with a sudden brightening--"The Prince _is_ fast. Oh, you don't know! He really runs like the wind; so rapidly that it almost frightens you. But this is a secret, you know. Still it has gotten abroad, somehow, and that's why the stable burned, for there are those not far away who also own fast horses, and it would almost kill them to have our Prince victorious." A scowl darkened the face of the tall, spare man in front of her. "I can scarcely believe such dastardly cowards are alive. But don't fear them. They shall not harm your horse, and after this night I think their designs upon his life will cease." "O I fear the night!" she cried. "But remember your promise to father. I wish it was all over, and morning was here again!" His deep, soft chest laugh reassured her. "This will be child's play, Miss Dudley. Do not permit your rest to be disturbed on my account. I love the darkness. Not because I am altogether evil, but because of the solitude and peace which it brings. We can find ourselves better in the still hours; we can face ourselves and take counsel, and repent of what has been unworthy, and gather strength, perchance, for the next day." She raised her eyes with the tiniest frown of wonder, but he had bent down and was rubbing the foreleg of The Prince. Peter arrived at this point with his implements and set vigorously to work, and in the space of a half-hour the colt was safely domiciled anew, and was munching oats from a soap-box, both of which had been provided by his faithful groom.