There he sat down beside her and told her all the story--how her grandmother had sent her good pigeon for him, and how she had instructed him, and sent him there without telling him what he had to do.

Then he told her what he had discovered of the state of things generally in Gwyntystorm, and especially what he had heard and seen in the palace that night.
'Things are in a bad state enough,' he said in conclusion--'lying and selfishness and inhospitality and dishonesty everywhere; and to crown all, they speak with disrespect of the good king, and not a man knows he is ill.' 'You frighten me dreadfully,' said Irene, trembling.
'You must be brave for your king's sake,' said Curdie.
'Indeed I will,' she replied, and turned a long loving look upon the beautiful face of her father.

'But what is to be done?
And how am I to believe such horrible things of Dr Kelman ?' 'My dear Princess,' replied Curdie, 'you know nothing of him but his face and his tongue, and they are both false.

Either you must beware of him, or you must doubt your grandmother and me; for I tell you, by the gift she gave me of testing hands, that this man is a snake.

That round body he shows is but the case of a serpent.