He could talk openly once more, without the never-absent subconscious sense of reserve.

He was still, in his own, eyes, the prince out of the fairy-tale; but Silas Finn and the two others alone of his friends shared the knowledge of the days when he herded swine.

Now a prince out of a fairy-tale who has herded swine is a romantic figure.

Paul did not doubt that he was one.

Even Jane, in spite of her direct common sense, admitted it.
Barney Bill proclaimed it openly, slapping him on the back and taking much credit to himself for helping the prince on the way to his kingdom.