citations, predictions, or
warning it was striving to utter were rendered practically inarticulate
by a large lemon that had been unfeelingly inserted between its jaws.

"Have the boar's head removed at once, Mr. Troitz," ordered Queen
Selina. "I cannot and will not have it interrupting the conversation
like this. It couldn't happen at all in any _civilised_ country. Why,
we shall have the cold tongue beginning next, I suppose!..."

It was here that poor Daphne's demon got the upper hand.

"You seem slightly hysterical, Miss Heritage," remarked the Queen.
"Horse-exercise evidently has a very bad effect on your nerves, and I
must forbid you to ride in future."

Thus was Daphne punished for her breach of etiquette. But Queen Selina
had no suspicion, even then, of its real extent. She was incapable of
conceiving that she could possibly seem ridiculous to one so infinitely
her inferior.

CHAPTER V

DIGNITY UNDER DIFFICULTIES

The luncheon, after the removal of the too loquacious boar's head,
proceeded, to Daphne's intense relief, without any further incident, and
at its conclusion Queen Selina suggested a move to the terrace. One side
of it faced the City far below; another the slope of the road leading
immediately to the Courtyard, while from the third side steps descended
by lower terraces to the Palace Gardens, which were apparently
boundless. Beyond them, however, was a neglected region of groves and
thickets, a sort of Wilderness, which stretched from the Garden
boundaries to the edge of a plateau below which lay a wild valley, with
a chain of wilder peaks and crags forming the horizon. But none of the
Court had ever cared to explore the Wilderness, if they were even aware
of its existence, so no more need be said of it at present.

The Royal Family leaned upon the parapet of the terrace, whence they had
a bird's-eye view of the big square immediately below, and the
picturesquely irregular buildings, above whose gabled red roofs grim
watch-towers and quaint spires or cupolas rose here and there. Down in
the square swarms of tiny figures were clustering round the public
fountains, which spouted jets that, as they flashed in the afternoon
sun, were seen to be of a purple hue.

"Must be wine," remarked the Crown Prince. "If it's the same tap we had
at lunch, the poor devils have my sympathy!"

"I think, Sidney," said the Queen, "that we ought all to go for a drive
presently--just round the principal st