earth."

Having thus instructed him, they journeyed on to the castle, and,
entering by the kitchen, found themselves in the midst of such a festive
scene as might become the mansion of a great feudal lord or prince.

Thirty carcasses of deer were lying on the massive kitchen board, under
the hands of numerous cooks, who toiled to cut them up and dress them,
while the gigantic greyhounds which had taken the spoil lay lapping the
blood, and enjoying the sight of the slain game. They came next to the
royal hall, where the king received his loving consort; knights and
ladies, dancing by threes, occupied the floor of the hall; and Thomas,
the fatigue of his journey from the Eildon Hills forgotten, went forward
and joined in the revelry. After a period, however, which seemed to him
a very short one, the queen spoke with him apart, and bade him prepare to
return to his own country.

"Now," said the queen, "how long think you that you have been here?"

"Certes, fair lady," answered Thomas, "not above these seven days."

"You are deceived," answered the queen; "you have been seven years in
this castle, and it is full time you were gone. Know, Thomas, that the
archfiend will come to this castle to-morrow to demand his tribute, and
so handsome a man as you will attract his eye. For all the world would I
not suffer you to be betrayed to such a fate; therefore up, and let us be
going."

This terrible news reconciled Thomas to his departure from Elfinland; and
the queen was not long in placing him upon Huntly Bank, where the birds