She's too priceless!" thought Daphne, when she was outside on the
gallery, and could indulge her sense of humour in safety. "Still, I
don't think I _could_ stand her very long if it weren't for Ruby!"

"I say, Mater," the Crown Prince called out a few minutes afterwards
outside his Mother's door, "how much longer are you and the Guv'nor
going to be? All night?"

"You can come in, Clarence," she said. "How soon your Father will be
ready, I can't say. I finished _my_ dressing hours ago."

King Sidney, following her example, had declined the good offices of his
gentlemen, and there were sounds from his dressing-room on the farther
side of the Bedchamber which indicated that he was in some difficulties
in consequence.

"My aunt!" exclaimed Clarence as he saw his Mother fully arrayed.
"You've got 'em all on _this_ time, Mater, and no mistake! So've you,
Guv'nor," he added, as King Sidney joined them with rather a sheepish
air. "Only--are you sure you've got yours on _right_? I mean to
say--that ruff looks a bit cock-eyed."

"It's given me more trouble than any white tie, my boy--but it must do
as it is."

"Ah, I got that bristly-haired chap--what's his name--Hansmeinigel--to
put on mine for me. Didn't any of yours give you a hand?"

"They offered to--most kindly," said King Sidney, "but--well, I didn't
altogether relish letting them dress me."

"They'd have made a jolly sight neater job of it than you have--keep
still a jiff till I've tucked this tape in. There--that's more like it.
And I say, you and the Mater had better hurry--you're keeping the whole
Court waiting for you!"

"Why didn't you tell us before?" said the Queen in a violent flurry.
"Where--where _are_ the Court?"

"All drawn up in the Hall at the foot of the big staircase. They can't
make a move till you come down, and lead the way in to dinner, you
know!"

"I--I'd rather not descend all those steps in public," objected the
King. "Confoundedly slippery. Er--couldn't we go by the backstairs, my
love?"

"And find ourselves in our own kitchen!" said the Queen. "Certainly not,
Sidney! The grand staircase is the only dignified way down, and you had
better give me your arm at once."

"Very well, my dear, very well. But I'm pretty sure I shall slip."

"You must _not_ slip, Sidney! Neither of us must slip. If we did, it
would produce a very bad impression. Still, it will be safer if we go
down one by one, and hold on to the banisters."

"No, I say,"