larence, at any rate, haven't been parties to any plot to get rid of
me. And as for Mrs. Stimpson, I dislike her, and I want to go _on_
disliking her--which I couldn't possibly do after she had her head cut
off! So we'll go into Eswareinmal at once, Mirliflor, and do what we can
for the poor things."

"I spoke in haste, dearest," said Mirliflor. "I was wrong, and you are
right as usual."

"And now we're _both_ going to be right, darling!" said Daphne.

* * * * *

"I wish," Clarence remarked later the same day, "I wish these windows
looked out on the front. We might see her coming back in that blessed
stork-car. She'll be sure to come the quickest way when she hears we're
in the soup like this--don't you think so, Mater?"

"I'm sure _I_ don't know!" said the tortured Queen Selina. "She mayn't
come back at all. I mean, she may keep the messengers and leave us to
perish. It is only what I should expect of her!"

"No, dash it all, Mater, she's too much of a sport for that," he said.
"She'll either turn up or send word that she's all right."

"Don't deceive yourself, Clarence!" said his mother. "I know better than
you can, and I tell you that she will do neither."

"Not when it's to save our lives?" he replied. "She's bound
to--unless--unless anything has happened to her. I'm a bit worried about
that, because--well, time's getting _on_, you know--what?"

"I trust, my boy," said his father, "we shall not be brought to
the--er--scaffold by any mistake of that kind. If that occurred, it
would be most un--" he caught his wife's eye and substituted
"unsatisfactory. I'm not sure," he added, "but I fancy I hear shouting.
Seems to come from below."

"It certainly _is_ shouting," said Clarence, "and it's getting louder.
They're coming this way. I--I hope I'm wrong--but I've a strong
impression that we're going to get it in the neck after all!"

"Sidney! Clarence!" cried Queen Selina, as she sank on her knees, unable
to bear her guilty burden any longer. "I--I can't die without asking you
to forgive me for--for what I have brought on you!"

"It's no fault of yours, Mater," said Clarence. "Just the family luck,
that's all!"

"Ah, but listen--listen!" implored his Mother; but, before she could
proceed, the door was suddenly unlocked, and Prince Tapfer von
Schneiderleinheimer entered with every sign of respect.

"I am charged by her Majesty Queen Daphne to desire your attendance in
the Thro