Moreover the puppy was uncomfortable, and yelped piteously, and struggled in his bonds, while the sharp corner of the iron box pressed painfully against the back of her neck.

The jutting stones were far apart, and several times it seemed as if she could not possibly reach the next one.

But the royal blood was fully up.

Queen Hildegarde set her teeth, and grasped the stones as if her slender hands were nerved with steel.

At last! at last she felt the edge; and the next moment had dragged herself painfully over it, and stood once more on solid ground.
She drew a long breath, and hastily untying the apron from her neck, took poor Jock tenderly in one arm, while with the other she carried the lantern and the iron box.