around them. Suddenly he started back a pace as the light fell upon
something close by which Irene was passing. It was a platform of rock
raised a few feet from the floor and covered with sheep skins, upon
which lay two horrible figures asleep, at once recognized by Curdie as
the king and queen of the goblins. He lowered his torch instantly lest
the light should awake them. As he did so, it flashed upon his pickaxe,
lying by the side of the queen, whose hand lay close by the handle of
it.
"Stop one moment," he whispered. "Hold my torch, and don't let the
light
on their faces."
Irene shuddered when she saw the frightful creatures whom she had
passed
without observing them, but she did as he requested, and turning her
back, held the torch low in front of her. Curdie drew his pickaxe
carefully away, and as he did so, spied one of her feet, projecting from
under the skins. The great clumsy granite shoe, exposed thus to his
hand, was a temptation not to be resisted. He laid hold of it, and with
cautious efforts, drew it off. The moment he succeeded, he saw to his
astonishment that what he had sung in ignorance, to annoy the queen,
was
Madhuri Noah
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