man he meets would rather draw his sword than eat," returned the old
warrior, smiling. "How old may this Prince Marvel be?"

"He looks not over fifteen years of age," said Seseley, uneasy at so
much questioning, for she did not wish to be forced to tell an
untruth. "But it is possible he is much older," she added, beginning
to get confused.

"Well, well; I am sorry he did not pay my castle a visit," declared
the baron. "He is very small and slight to be traveling this dangerous
country alone, and I might have advised him as to his welfare."

Seseley thought that Prince Marvel would need no advice from any one
as to his conduct; but she wisely refrained from speaking this
thought, and the old baron walked away to glance through a slit in the
stone wall at the figure of the now distant knight.

Prince Marvel was riding swiftly toward the brow of the hill, and
shortly his great war-horse mounted the ascent and disappeared on its
farther slope.

The youth's heart was merry and light, and he reflected joyously, as
he rode along, that a whole year of freedom and fascinating adventure
lay before him.

The valley in which he now found himself was very beautiful, the soft
grass beneath his horse's feet being sprinkled with bright flowers,
while clumps of trees stood here and there to break the monotony of
the landscape.