The King's Chamber He found himself in a large room, dimly lighted by a silver lamp that hung from the ceiling.

Far at the other end was a great bed, surrounded with dark heavy curtains.

He went softly toward it, his heart beating fast.

It was a dreadful thing to be alone in the king's chamber at the dead of night.

To gain courage he had to remind himself of the beautiful princess who had sent him.
But when he was about halfway to the bed, a figure appeared from the farther side of it, and came towards him, with a hand raised warningly.
He stood still.