she said, "you will think it very weak of us to allow it, but,
between ourselves, there are--er--State reasons which left us no
choice." To which he replied that he would much prefer to be excused
from offering any opinion as to the policy their Majesties had chosen to
pursue.

The Marshal, on the other hand, expressed cordial satisfaction. His
lizard-like eyes sparkled as he assured his Sovereigns that he would see
that the heralds proclaimed the betrothal in the City before nightfall,
and that he expected it would excite heartfelt enthusiasm.

It certainly had not that effect on the Court. The ladies-in-waiting
resented the prospect of having to acknowledge a new Royalty the greater
part of whose existence had been spent under water. The Courtiers
shrugged their shoulders with sardonic resignation. In vain the Crown
Prince attempted to carry off his secret uneasiness by clapping them on
the back and saying, "You haven't seen Princess Forelle yet, you know,
dear boy. When you do, you'll agree that she's a regular little
ripper--what?" They made it sufficiently clear that they had no wish to
see the future Crown Princess. In fact, if he had not already lost all
the prestige he had ever had, he would have lost it now, and his
feelings were not to be envied.

Marshal Federhelm requested a private audience from the Queen, who
received him in her Cabinet. He began by asking permission to absent
himself for a few days on a hunting expedition in the Forest, which
permission was graciously accorded.

"If the Crown Prince had not--er--ties to keep him at home," she added,
"I'm sure he would be delighted to join you."

"I doubt it, your Majesty," said the Marshal. "His Royal Highness's
ardour for such pursuits has languished much of late. However, he is
better employed. And, ere I leave, I must ask your Majesty's wishes in
regard to my prisoner, the Lady Daphne."

"Ah, I was going to talk to you about that, Marshal," said Queen Selina.
"There are many reasons why it is undesirable that Miss Heritage should
remain here any longer. After the underhand and ungrateful manner in
which she has tried to pervert Prince Mirliflor from his attachment to
Princess Edna, I feel it my duty to have her removed."

"I understand, your Majesty," he said, "and it shall be done. But I
would recommend, in your Majesty's interests, that the execution should
take place in private, and that the Lady Daphne's decease should be
supposed to be du