Look! there are the lights of your great house down below.
You'll be at home in five minutes now.' Nothing more happened.

They reached home in safety.

Nobody had missed them, or even known they had gone out; and they arrived at the door belonging to their part of the house without anyone seeing them.

The nurse was rushing in with a hurried and not over-gracious good night to Curdie; but the princess pulled her hand from hers, and was just throwing her arms round Curdie's neck, when she caught her again and dragged her away.
'Lootie! Lootie! I promised a kiss,' cried Irene.
'A princess mustn't give kisses.

It's not at all proper,' said Lootie.
'But I promised,' said the princess.
'There's no occasion; he's only a miner-boy.' 'He's a good boy, and a brave boy, and he has been very kind to us.
Lootie! Lootie! I promised.' 'Then you shouldn't have promised.' 'Lootie, I promised him a kiss.' 'Your Royal Highness,' said Lootie, suddenly grown very respectful, 'must come in directly.' 'Nurse, a princess must not break her word,' said Irene, drawing herself up and standing stock-still.
Lootie did not know which the king might count the worst--to let the princess be out after sunset, or to let her kiss a miner-boy.