When they reached the very bottom and the wall rose frowning above them， Lasaraleen was shaking so much that she could not unbolt the gate. Aravis did it. There， at last， was the river， full of reflected moonlight， and a little landing stage and a few pleasure boats.
“Good.bye，” said Aravis， “and thank you. I‘m sorry if I’vebeen a pig. But think what I‘m flying from！”
“Oh Aravis darling，” said Lasaraleen. “Won’t you change your mind？ Now that you‘ve seen what a very great man Ahoshta is！”
“Great man！” said Aravis. “A hideous grovelling slave who flatters when he’s kicked but treasures it all up and hopes to get his own back by egging on that horrible Tisroc to plot his son‘s death. Faugh！ I’d sooner marry my father‘s scullion than a creature like that.”
“Oh Aravis， Aravis！ How can you say such dreadful things； and about the Tisroc （may he live for ever） too. It must be right if he’s going to do it！”
“Good.bye，” said Aravis， “and I thought your dresses lovely. And I think your house is lovely too. I‘m sure you’ll have a lovely life.though it wouldn‘t suit me. Close the door softly behind me.”
