d see nothing of
Ruby, the one member of the Royal Family for whom she could feel any
real affection. She expected to hear at any moment that the car was
ready to take her back to England, where she would have to find
employment if she could.

The Queen had certainly furnished her with a character; "Miss Heritage,"
the reference stated, "has been for some months in the service of Her
Majesty Queen Selina of Maerchenland as Governess-companion to Her
Majesty's younger daughter, Princess Ruby. Her Majesty could not
conscientiously recommend Miss Heritage as a teacher for advanced
pupils, but has no doubt that she would be fairly competent to undertake
a situation as Nursery Governess."

That was all--and Daphne did not think it would do much for her. And
besides, people might want to know who the Queen of Maerchenland
was--which would be awkward to explain. But perhaps the Court Godmother
would see that she was not sent home without funds enough to support her
till she could get an engagement. She would be rather sorry to leave
Maerchenland, which, queer country as it was in some ways, she had come
to look upon her home. However, she did not worry much about the future,
being content to enjoy her present restful life as long as she might.

She was comfortable enough in the Pavilion, where she was well looked
after by an elderly taciturn attendant, one of the Court Godmother's own
waiting-women.

The old Fairy herself came from time to time to inquire after Daphne's
health and bring her news of the Court, and her visits were welcome.
When alone Daphne spent much of her time over the ancient Chronicles,
which the Fairy had provided for her, and which she found strangely
fascinating. Or when she was disinclined to read or embroider, she would
explore the grounds about the Pavilion, which were wild and neglected
enough to impart a sense of adventure to her wanderings. Often, as she
walked and worked or read, her thoughts would drift into dreams--the
dreams that come to most girls--of a Prince Charming who would discover
her in her retreat, and be her champion and deliverer. In a country like
this, such a dream was less unlikely to come true than elsewhere, and
yet she always ended by laughing at herself for indulging it.

The Prince (for of course he must be a Prince!) would have to make haste
if he was to find her still in Maerchenland. But even if he came in time,
she thought, it would be useless--his arrival would be