uite thought myself we should have
been massacred."

"And so we _should_ have been, Sidney," she replied, "if I'd left it to
_you_!"

On re-entering the Palace they heard that the Council was still sitting.
"_Let_ 'em sit!" cried Clarence. "This'll be a bit of a suck for them.
What price a Republic _now_, eh?"

"They simply _daren't_ depose us!" said the Queen, "now the dear people
are with us heart and soul!"

Some time later, while they were sitting in the lapis-lazuli Chamber, a
page entered to announce that a messenger had just arrived with tidings
which he wished to communicate to their Majesties in private. "Tell him
to come in," said the Queen. "I do hope it isn't some fresh trouble!"

The messenger brought grave news. The Marshal, it appeared, had been
killed while hunting in the Forest. Particulars were wanting, but there
was no doubt that he was dead.

"How very very sad!" exclaimed the Queen. "The poor dear Marshal! To be
cut off like this in the prime of life! It must have been a wild boar, I
suppose--_or_ a bear. But, whichever it was, it is a terrible loss. I
don't know exactly how long the Court ought to go into mourning for an
ex-Regent--but at _least_ a month!"

She was shocked, of course, by the suddenness of it. At the same time
she could not help a renewed sense of gratitude to Providence, which had
once more gone out of its way to smooth her path. "I've always said
hunting these wild animals is a very dangerous sport," said King Sidney.
"Glad you've given it up, my boy!"

"Fed up with it, Guv'nor. But I dare say I shall go in for it
again--some day or other," Clarence replied, while he was thinking that
it would have to be a day when he discovered what had become of his
irresistible sword, and when he could find a horse among his numerous
stud that would permit him to get on its back.

They were still discussing the Marshal's untimely end when an usher
came from the Hall of Council with a message that the Councillors had
ended their deliberations, and requested their Majesties to honour them
by attending to hear their decision.

"I like their nerve!" remarked Clarence. "Of course, Guv'nor, you'll
tell 'em they've jolly well got to come to _us_, what?"

"No, Sidney," said Queen Selina, flushed with her recent victory, "you
will say that we are coming in presently to preside over the Council and
give them our advice. I shall know how to put them in their proper
places. I shall wear my cr