. Be careful to keep it from the Court, as I
wish to avoid unnecessary alarm." The others endeavoured to restore the
afflicted Fairy, but, though still alive, she was in some kind of
cataleptic condition which was beyond the ordinary remedies. The Court
Apothecary arrived and applied blisters without result, and finally gave
it as his opinion that, while she might survive for some time, she would
in all probability never speak again.

So Queen Selina ordered her to be removed to her apartments, and the
fact that she was indisposed to be suppressed for the present, after
which she left her Cabinet, feeling that Providence had been more than
usually judicious. Her next step was to send for the Marshal and
instruct him to remove Daphne from the Pavilion to a chamber in one of
the Palace towers, where she was to remain a prisoner under his
guardianship. "It's only for a short time, Marshal," she said. "And of
course you will see that Miss Heritage is made thoroughly comfortable."

And then, the ground having been thus cleared, she returned to the
Throne Room. "Just a moment or two, my dear Mirliflor," she said
suavely, "if Edna can spare you," and she drew him aside. "Well," she
began, "I've been telling the dear old Court Godmother the difficulty I
am in. You see, I would willingly recognise this engagement of
yours--whatever I may _think_ about it--if I only _could_. But really,
you know, I can't _possibly_ allow you to take Miss Heritage away until
I am satisfied that your dear Father approves of her as a
daughter-in-law. As her employer I feel responsible for the poor girl.
And, besides, he _might_ think I had _encouraged_ this match, and I
can't afford to put myself in such a false position as _that_!"

"But," he objected, "my Godmother is going with us to Clairdelune, and
she will explain all."

"She has altered her plans," said the Queen, who was developing a quite
unsuspected talent for diplomacy. "To tell you the truth, I fancy she is
getting a little nervous about how King Tournesol may take what she has
done. She feels--as I am afraid _I_ do--that it is wiser to keep dear
Miss Heritage here under her own care till you have broken the news to
your Father and obtained his consent."

"My Father is certain to consent," said the Prince, "and if he did
not----"

"Oh, quite so--quite so--but both your Godmother and I consider that we
ought to wait till he _does_ consent. Of course, if you can bring us a
letter fr