Andrew Lang

The Red Romance Book Andrew Lang

EVERYBODY will remember that William and Melior trusted to Alexandrine to help them toescape from the palace, before Melior was forced into marriage by her father with theprince of Greece. At first Alexandrine declared that it was quite impossible to get themaway unseen, but at length she thought of something which might succeed, though, if itfailed, all three would pay a heavy penalty. And this was her plan, and a very good one too. She would borrow some boy's clothes, and put them on, hiding her hair under one ofthose tight caps that kitchen varlets wore covering all their heads; she would then go downinto the big kitchens underneath the palace, where the wild beasts shot by the emperorwere skinned and made into coats for the winter. Here she would have a chance of slippingout unnoticed with the skins of two white bears, and in these she would sew up Williamand Melior, and would let them through the little back gate, from which they could easilyescape into the forest.'Oh, I knew you would find a way!' said Melior, throwing her arms joyfully round hercousin's neck. 'I am quite sure it will all go right, only let us make haste, for my father mayfind us out, or perhaps I may lose my courage.''I will set about it at once, ' said Alexandrine, 'and you and William must be ready tonight.