The Hidden World

Staying Overnight

By the time they were done , dusk was falling outside . She thought of going home , but Charles convinced her to stay'' Just till morning '' he pleaded and he said that she had not meet his mother yet and his mother would never forgive him if he let her go without meeting her .Charles father was quite in agreement with him saying '' It is not often we have a visitor, at least not from another world ''.Christina gave in easily , because she wasn't even sure she knew how to get home . In short she was quite relieved .

Charles 's mother arrived from a party just as the stars came out. She would have stayed at the party if not word been sent to her that they had a''strange '' visitor . Before she came Christina had been changed into an '' evening dress'' as they called it. It was rather a new experience. Especially being dressed by servants . She would of done it herself if it wasn't for all the lacing , tying and how hard it was to get into . Altogether it was embarrassing to her, but the look Charles gave her was worth it . She blushed at his attention and welcomed the distraction of his mother's arrival . His mother welcomed her quite graciously and they retired to the ''oversized family / throne room'' as Christina called it . She was bid to tell her story to the Duchess Caroline . After that one of the servants led her to her bedroom. Christina never saw such rooms ,or felt such soft beds . She fell asleep very easily.

 The next morning , Christina woke up to the rustling of a servant emptying a crystal water vase into a glass washing bowl . She washed her face and hands and got into another dress .She went down stairs and partook of the breakfast courses . She made sure she had the key before she left the mansion . She bid goodbye to everyone . Charles walked with her to the place she had gotten in , but along the way he asked her ''How does thee plan to get back to thou's own world ?'' '' Hopefully the way I got in... with this key.'' she replied taking out the key from around her neck .'' There should be a key hole in the stone wall ''. she continued ''Aah '' said Charles . Soon they arrived at the wall . '' I bid thee farewell again '' she said , but Charles took her hand and kissed it and said '' Goodbye fair Lady Christina , till we meet again. Art thou coming back ? '' Sometime soon '' said the blushing Christina . She turned around and found the keyhole quite easily . She put the key in and pulled the secret door out . She gave one last look at Charles ,waved and stepped in, she pulled the door closed behind her.