m, one is all the more apt to notice the
difference.... Is that you, Baron? Returned so soon? But you shouldn't
come bursting in like this without asking for an audience. That is
_quite_ against my rules!"

"Your Majesty will, I feel sure, pardon the intrusion when you hear my
tidings," said the Baron. "I have the honour to inform your Majesty that
your high-born friends, the Grand Duchess of Gleneagles and the
Margravine of Muscombe, are now in the Palace!"

"The--the Duchess? And the Marchioness?" cried the Queen. "Nonsense,
Baron! It must be some silly mistake of yours. How could they possibly
get _here_?"

"In the stork-car, your Majesty," he explained. "I brought them myself.
As they are still sunk in sleep, I have had them laid on couches in one
of the vestibules, and instructed the Lady Daphne to remain in
attendance."

"Good gracious!" said Queen Selina faintly. She was painfully conscious
that her face must be expressing dismay rather than delight, and that
her ladies-in-waiting had not failed to notice it. "What a--what a
delightful surprise! And Lady Daphne with them, did you say? I--I'll go
to them at once!"

If the poor Court Chamberlain had expected any gratitude from his
Sovereign when they got outside, he received none. She did not speak to
him at all--possibly because she could not trust herself, and she
hurried towards the great Entrance Hall at a pace which left him
hopelessly in the rear. As she went she vainly endeavoured to think of
any possible excuse or apology that she could offer her distinguished
visitors, but her chief anxiety was that she might not arrive until
after they had awaked, and Miss Heritage had anticipated her
explanations.

CHAPTER XIII

WHAT THE PIGEON SAID

Daphne was passing through the upper gallery, on her way to join the
other ladies-in-waiting in the Tapestry Chamber, when she heard a
commotion in the great hall below, and, looking down over the
balustrade, was astonished to see two inanimate female forms being
carried by attendants into the vestibule. Baron von Eisenbaenden, who was
directing them, caught sight of her and beckoned. On descending the
jasper staircase, she found him beaming with satisfaction, surrounded by
a host of courtiers, guards, and pages.

"All will be well now, my Lady Daphne," he whispered confidentially. "I
have brought hither two noble dames to persuade the Princess to renounce
this ill-omened alliance--the Grand Duchess of G