er
all we're _English_, you know, and you might give us credit for playing
the game, what?"

He spoke with a resentment which convinced his Mother of her wisdom in
having played her own game without seeking any co-operation from him.

The old Fairy's suspicions had been completely quelled. "I perceive,"
she confessed, "that I have been over ready to think evil, and can but
crave your forgiveness, Madam, for having done you so great an
injustice."

"Pray don't mention it!" returned the Queen. "There was some excuse for
it, and we willingly forgive you, if there's anything to forgive. And
now," she added, after ordering the attendants to be fetched, "you
really _must_ take more care of yourself and get back to bed at once."

"I will return to it," was the reply, "for now that my mind is at ease I
am well content to die."

"Oh, but you mustn't talk like that!" protested Queen Selina, "when
you've just made such a marvellous recovery! Why, you're looking _ever_
so much brighter than any of us could have hoped. All you really need
now is a good long sleep."

"That is all, and I shall have it ere long. You may rest assured," she
added, with a significance which the Queen alone understood, "that
henceforth your peace shall not be disturbed by any word or deed of
mine."

The attendants entered and she suffered them to lead her away, while
King Sidney graciously extended his sceptre for her to kiss in passing,
but drew it back shamefacedly on finding this civility ignored.

"It's evidently the last flicker, poor old thing!" said the Queen, after
the Fairy had retired. "I don't at all expect we shall ever see her
alive again!"

If she had so expected, her conscience might have troubled her more than
it did. As it was, it did not reproach her too severely. It was not nice
to deceive a dying person, but it was much nicer than confessing and
losing a Kingdom for it. It would have been too ridiculous to begin to
be squeamish now. And, after all, it was her misfortune rather than her
fault if the family interests had necessitated a slight temporary lapse
from principles she still held as rigidly as ever.

She dismissed her Council, which broke up in a chastened spirit, and the
Royal Family, after a light meal which was the nearest approach to
afternoon tea that Maerchenland afforded, went out for an airing on their
favourite promenade--the terrace that overlooked Eswareinmal.

The market-place was still thronged, but suc