BAG AND BAGGAGE

The Court Godmother returned to the Throne-room. She had not attached
much importance to what Daphne had told her, but, even if she had, she
would have belittled it in her extreme desire to avoid any action that
might entail inconvenience to herself.

In the Throne-room, Count Rubenfresser had just been announced.

"Yes, Duchess," said Queen Selina, in answer to an astonished inquiry.
"That is dear Edna's fiance. A fine young man, is he not?"

"Heavens! I should think he _was_! I should call him a giant myself,"
replied the Duchess bluntly.

"I _told_ you he was _rather_ tall. I think he's grown since his
engagement. How do you do, my dear Ruprecht? Come and be introduced to
my old friend the Duchess of Gleneagles, who is _so_ very anxious to
make your acquaintance."

"I don't much care about knowing old women," said the Count, who had no
great love for his future mother-in-law, and had become much less
deferential of late.

"But this one's a _Duchess_, Ruprecht!" whispered the agonised Queen.
"Edna, my love, perhaps _you_ had better----" and eventually he
submitted with a slight scowl to be led up and presented by his fiancee.

"I hear I am to congratulate you--er--Count Fresser," said the Duchess.
"You are certainly a fortunate man to have won a Princess."

"Not more fortunate than she," he replied. "She wanted a Superman, as
she calls it. I am doing all I can to become one."

"If she isn't satisfied with you as you are, she must be hard to
please."

"_She_ is satisfied enough," he said. "Now it is for her to _please_ me.
She knows that by this time--don't you, Edna?"

"Yes, Ruprecht dear, yes," said Edna, hastily. "Of course I do. This is
how he's taken to bullying me, Duchess," she added lightly. "Don't you
think it's too bad of him?"

"It seems a little early to begin. You shouldn't allow it."

"Oh, but I _like_ him to!" said Edna, pressing the Count's great arm.

"In that case, my dear," said the Duchess, "you have every prospect of a
happy future!"

A blast from the silver trumpets here proclaimed that luncheon was
served.

"Lunch, at last, eh?" said King Sidney, bustling up to the Duchess.
"Permit me to offer your Grace my arm. Clarence, my boy, you take in her
ladyship here. Selina, my love, if you will lead the way with the
Marshal."

The Count followed with Edna, and the Fairy Vogelflug arrived in time to
bring up the rear with Princess Ruby.

"It's a most extraor