A Princess Prays by Barbara Cartland

twisting path that led towards the Chapel.
    There was no time for her to go into the Chapel this morning and beyond Father Jozsef’s garden she could see that there was a carriage drawn by two horses with Lamos already holding the reins.
    Father Jozsef was standing beside the two horses he and Attila were to ride and before she reached him, Kilkos had already put their luggage into the back of the carriage.
    Attila greeted Father Jozsef and then Kilkos helped her on to the saddle of Samson.
    She bent forward to give the stallion she loved an affectionate pat and she thought that he was as excited as she was about the unexpected adventure.
    Father Jozsef mounted the other horse, which was almost as handsome as Samson, and Kilkos sprang up onto the box of the carriage and they were off.
    Father Jozsef led the way followed by Attila and as it was so early there was no one to see them riding through the quiet streets near the Palace.
    Very shortly they were out into wide country where there were no people and no horses. There was only wild grassland which slipped away into an indefinite horizon.
    They were riding in an area Attila knew resembled the Steppes of Hungary.
    The horses needed no encouragement to gallop and as Attila rode every day, she found no difficulty in riding in a plain long garment rather than her riding habit.
    She forgot about herself as they galloped over the high grass teeming with wild flowers on which the butterflies were beginning to flutter.
    As the sun came up, its rays touched the tops of the mountain on one side of them and shimmered on the river that ran for many miles through the grassland ahead.
    It was only when they had galloped for what seemed to Attila a long time that she spoke to Father Jozsef.
    â€œWe have got away, Father,” she said with a note of triumph in her voice.
    Father Jozsef smiled at her.
    â€œYes,” he replied, “we have got away. By the time they send a search party for us we will be in a different world where no one will find us.”
    â€œI am sure Papa will tell them I am quite safe and with friends, which is, of course, true.”
    Father Jozsef looked around him.
    â€œI had almost forgotten how very beautiful this part of the country is and our carriage is not far behind us.”
    The carriage was moving along a rough track at the side of the river as they rode on.
    As the sun rose everything around them seemed to be shining and turned to gold.
    Everywhere Attila looked there was a profusion of butterflies, which rose in front of the horses like an elusive cloud. The birds they disturbed soared up into the sky and she felt that each one carried a special prayer for her father.
    They stopped at noon for luncheon and by that time Attila, who had eaten no breakfast, was feeling hungry.
    The horses were watered and Lamos brought two picnic baskets out from the back of the carriage.
    The food was simple, but because she was hungry Attila found it delicious.
    She enjoyed talking to Father Jozsef while they ate and drank and to her considerable surprise he had brought a light wine with him and the men had cooled it in the river.
    â€œI never believed you would drink wine, Father!” exclaimed Attila.
    â€œI very seldom do, but as I thought I might need something to sustain me on a long journey, I considered it a wise precaution against you having to ride alone!”
    Attila gave a little cry.
    â€œYou must not overtire yourself, Father. You can quite easily drive in the carriage and I can ride beside you.”
    â€œI am happy as things are at the moment, my child, but if I feel it is too much for me I shall be sensible enough to say so. As you know I have promised your father to protect you and that means I cannot leave you alone.”
    â€œNo, of course not,” agreed Attila, “and it is very wonderful of you to come with me.”
    â€œYou would certainly not be allowed to go alone,” commented Father Jozsef