you, Mater, I'd--what d'ye call it?--prorogue 'em."

The Queen was inclined to accept this suggestion, but at that moment a
loud rapping was heard at the closed doors. "Go and see who it is,
somebody," she commanded, "it may be important news." She thought it
probable that an attendant had come to announce the decease of the Fairy
Vogelflug, which was hourly expected.

The doors were partly opened, and then a voice she had never thought to
hear again cried in weak and quavering accents: "Let me pass. I claim my
right of admission as Court Godmother."

The Queen changed colour, but felt that, inopportune as the demand was,
she could not refuse it without laying herself open to suspicion, and
perhaps worse. "Oh, let her come in, poor old soul," she said, "and find
a seat for her. I'd really no idea she was well enough to get up."

The Fairy hobbled feebly in, looking incredibly old and shrunken, and
like a grim ghost of her former self in her clinging grey night-rail.
Her hollow eyes glowed like live coals as she faced the Queen, and stood
labouring for breath before she could speak.

"So glad to see you looking so much better, dear Court Godmother!" said
Queen Selina. "But was it _wise_ of you to come downstairs so soon?"

"I have visited the pavilion and found it untenanted," said the Fairy,
without troubling to explain how she had contrived to elude her
attendants and get there. "Now, answer me, what have you done with Lady
Daphne?"

"Oh, haven't they _told_ you?" replied the Queen. "I should have
consulted you, of course, if I had known you were conscious; but, as it
was, I did what I thought you would wish and sent her off with the Baron
in the stork-car this morning--to Clairdelune."

"Is this the truth--or are you trying to deceive me by lies?"

"Really!" cried the Queen, "this is most uncalled for! I don't know what
you suppose I've done with the girl?"

"You may have imprisoned--murdered her, for all I can tell. It is more
likely than that you would permit her to depart so easily."

"Well," said the Queen, "if you don't believe me, you have only to make
inquiries. I was not in time to see her off myself, but I believe there
are members of the Court who were more fortunate."

Several Councillors corroborated this by affirming that they themselves
had not only been present but had heard the Baron give the order, "To
Clairdelune."

"I daresay you don't think much of us, Ma'am," said Clarence, "but aft