thereby. Indeed, in his latter years he was alarmed by anything
larger than a goldfish, and lived a life of strictest seclusion.

[Illustration: _Twenty-one minutes later Henrietta Crossbuns was
acknowledging a bag of gold_]

"_I_ think he'll be dark," said Hyacinth. Her own hair was
corn-coloured.

Poor Prince Hanspatch of Tregong; I've just remembered about him--no,
I haven't, it was the Duke of Highanlow. Poor Duke of Highanlow! A
misunderstanding with a wizard having caused his head to face the
wrong way round, he was so often said good-bye to at the very moment
of arrival, that he gradually lost his enthusiasm for social
enterprises and confined himself to his own palace, where his
acrobatic dexterity in supplying himself with soup was a constant
source of admiration to his servants. . . .

However, it was Prince Udo of whom they were thinking now. The
Messenger had returned from Araby; his Royal Highness must be expected
on the morrow.

"I do hope he'll be comfortable in the Purple Room," said Hyacinth.
"I wonder if it wouldn't have been better to have left him in the Blue
Room, after all."

They had had him in the Blue Room two days ago, until Hyacinth thought
that perhaps he would be more comfortable in the Purple Room, after
all.

"The Purple Room has the best view," said Wiggs helpfully.

"And it gets the sun. Wiggs, don't forget to put some flowers there.
And have you given him any books?"

"I gave him two," said Wiggs. "_Quests for Princes_, and _Wild
Animals at Home_."

"Oh, I'm sure he'll like those. Now let's think what we shall do when
he comes. He'll arrive some time in the afternoon. Naturally he will
want a little refreshment."

"Would he like a picnic in the forest?" asked Wiggs.

"I don't think any one wants a picnic after a long journey."

"I _love_ picnics."

"Yes, dear; but, you see, Prince Udo's much older than you, and I
expect he's had so many picnics that he's tired of them. I suppose
really I ought to receive him in the Throne Room, but that's
so--so----"

"Stuffy," said Wiggs.

"That's just it. We should feel uncomfortable with each other the
whole time. I think I shall receive him up here; I never feel so
nervous in the open air."

"Will the Countess be here?" asked Wiggs.

"No," said the Princess coldly. "At least," she corrected herself,
"she will not be invited. Good afternoon, Countess." It was like
her, thought Hyacinth, to arrive at that very