ARAVIS IN TASHBAAN WHAT had really happened was this. When Aravis saw Shasta hurried away by the Narnians and found herself aloh two horses who (very wisely) wouldnt say a word, she never lost her head even for a moment. She grabbed Brees halter and stood still, holding both the horses; and though her heart was beating as hard as a hammer, she did nothing to show it. As soon as the Narnian lords had passed she tried to move on again.
But before she could take a step, another crier ("Bother all these people" thought Aravis)
was heard shouting out, "Way, way, way! Way for the Tarkheena Lasaraleen!" and immediately, following the crier, came four armed slaves and then four bearers carrying a litter which was all a-flutter with silken curtains and all a-jih silver bells and which sted the whole street with perfumes and flowers. After the litter, female slaves iiful clothes, and then a few grooms, runners, pages, and the like. And now Aravis made her first mistake.
She knew Lasaraleen quite well - almost as if they had been at school together - because they had often stayed in the same houses ao the same parties. And Aravis couldnt help looking up to see what Lasaraleen looked like now that she was married and a very great person indeed.
It was fatal. The eyes of the two girls met. And immediately Lasaraleen sat up iter and burst out at the top of her voice.
"Aravis! What oh are you doing here? Your father-」
There was not a moment to lose. Without a seds delay Aravis let go the Horses, caught the edge of the litter, swung herself up beside Lasaraleen and whispered furiously in her ear.
"Shut up! Do you hear! Shut up. You must hide me. Tell your people-」
"But darling-" began Lasaraleen in the same loud voice. (She didnt in the least mind making people stare; in fact she rather liked it.)
"Do what I tell you or Ill never speak to you again," hissed Aravis. "Please, please be quick, Las. Its frightfully important. Tell your people t those two horses along.
Pull all the curtains of the litter a away somewhere where I t be found. And do hurry.」
"All right, darling," said Lasaraleen in her lazy voice. "Here. Two of you take the Tarkheenas horses." (This was to the slaves.) "And now home. I say, darling, do you think we really want the curtains drawn on a day like this? I mean to say-」
But Aravis had already drawn the curtains, enclosing Lasaraleen and herself in a rid sted, but rather stuffy, kind of tent.
"I mustnt be seen," "she said. "My father doesnt know Im here. Im running away.」
"My dear, how perfectly thrilling," said Lasaraleen. "Im dying to hear all about it.
Darling, youre sitting on my dress. Do you mind? Thats better. It is a new one. Do you like it? I got it at-」
"Oh, Las, do be serious," said Aravis. "Where is my father?」
"Didnt you know?" said Lasaraleen. "Hes here, of course. He came to towerday and is asking about you everywhere. And to think of you and me being here together and his not knowing anything about it! Its the fuhing I ever heard." And she went off into giggles. She always had been a terrible giggler, as Aravis now remembered.
"It isnt funny at all," she said. "Its dreadfully serious. Where you hide me?」
"No difficulty at all, my dear girl," said Lasaraleen. "Ill take you home. My husbands away and no one will see you. Phew! Its not much fun with the curtains drawn. I