About half an hour later the two Horses were summoned to the back of the house to eat something nice that the Hermit had got ready for them and Aravis， still walking and thinking， was startled by the harsh sound of a trumpet outside the gate.
“Who is there？” asked Aravis.
“His Royal Highness Prince Cor of Archenland，” said a voice from outside.
Aravis undid the door and opened it， drawing back a little way to let the strangers in.
Two soldiers with halberds came first and took their stand at each side of the entry. Then followed a herald， and the trumpeter.
“His Royal Highness Prince Cor of Archenland desires an audience of the Lady Aravis，” said the Herald. Then he and the trumpeter drew aside and bowed and the soldiers saluted and the Prince himself came in. All his attendants withdrew and closed the gate behind them.
The Prince bowed， and a very clumsy bow for a Prince it was. Aravis curtsied in the Calormene style （which is not at all like ours） and did it very well because， of course， she hadbeen taught how. Then she looked up and saw what sort of person this Prince was.
