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The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

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"But, darl<strong>in</strong>g, only th<strong>in</strong>k! Three palaces, and one <strong>of</strong> them that beautiful one down on the<br />

lake at Ilkeen. Positively ropes <strong>of</strong> pearls, I'm told. Baths <strong>of</strong> asses' milk. And you'd see<br />

such a lot <strong>of</strong> me."<br />

"He can keep his pearls and palaces as far as I'm concerned," said Aravis.<br />

"You always were a queer girl, Aravis," said Lasaraleen. "What more do you want?"<br />

In the end, however, Aravis managed to make her friend believe that she was <strong>in</strong> earnest<br />

and even to discuss plans. <strong>The</strong>re would be no difficulty now about gett<strong>in</strong>g the two horses<br />

out <strong>of</strong> the North gate and then on to the Tombs. No one would stop or question a groom<br />

<strong>in</strong> f<strong>in</strong>e clothes lead<strong>in</strong>g a war horse and a lady's saddle horse down to the river, and<br />

Lasaraleen had plenty <strong>of</strong> grooms to send. It wasn't so easy to decide what to do about<br />

Aravis herself. She suggested that she could be carried out <strong>in</strong> the litter with the curta<strong>in</strong>s<br />

drawn. But Lasaraleen told her that litters were only used <strong>in</strong> the city and the sight <strong>of</strong> one<br />

go<strong>in</strong>g out through the gate would be certa<strong>in</strong> to lead to questions.<br />

When they had talked for a long time - and it was all the longer because Aravis found it<br />

hard to keep her friend to the po<strong>in</strong>t-at last Lasaraleen clapped her hands and said, "Oh, I<br />

have an idea. <strong>The</strong>re is one way <strong>of</strong> gett<strong>in</strong>g out <strong>of</strong> the city without us<strong>in</strong>g the gates. <strong>The</strong><br />

Tisroc's garden (may he live for ever!) runs right down to the water and there is a little<br />

water-door. Only for the palace people <strong>of</strong> course - but then you know, dear (here she<br />

tittered a little) we almost are palace people. I say, it is lucky for you that you came to<br />

me. <strong>The</strong> dear Tisroc (may he live for ever!) is so k<strong>in</strong>d. We're asked to the palace almost<br />

every day and it is like a second home. I love all the dear pr<strong>in</strong>ces and pr<strong>in</strong>cesses and I<br />

positively adore Pr<strong>in</strong>ce Rabadash. I might run <strong>in</strong> and see any <strong>of</strong> the palace ladies at any<br />

hour <strong>of</strong> the day or night. Why shouldn't I slip <strong>in</strong> withyou, after dark, and let you out by<br />

the water-door? <strong>The</strong>re are always a few punts and th<strong>in</strong>gs tied up outside it. And even if<br />

we were caught-"<br />

"All would be lost," said Aravis.<br />

"Oh darl<strong>in</strong>g, don't get so excited," said Lasaraleen. "I was go<strong>in</strong>g to say, even if we were<br />

caught everyone would only say it was one <strong>of</strong> my mad jokes. I'm gett<strong>in</strong>g quite well<br />

known for them. Only the other day- do listen, dear, this is frightfully funny-"<br />

"I meant, all would be lost for me," said Aravis a little sharply.<br />

"Oh - ah - yes - I do see what you mean, darl<strong>in</strong>g. Well, can you th<strong>in</strong>k <strong>of</strong> any better plan?"<br />

Aravis couldn't, and answered, "No. We'll have to risk it. When can we start?"<br />

"Oh, not tonight," said Lasaraleen. "Of course not tonight. <strong>The</strong>re's a great feast on tonight<br />

(I must start gett<strong>in</strong>g my hair done for it <strong>in</strong> a few m<strong>in</strong>utes) and the whole place will be a<br />

blaze <strong>of</strong> lights. And such a crowd too! It would have to be tomorrow night."

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