"a beautiful day, is it
not?"

"Beautiful, Countess."

With the Court at her back, Hyacinth for the moment was less nervous
than usual, but almost at the first words of the Countess she felt her
self-confidence oozing from her. Did I say I was like this with my
publishers? And Roger's dragged-in Uncle----one can't explain it.

The Court stood about in picturesque attitudes while Belvane went on:

"Your Royal Highness's brave Women Defenders, the Home Defence Army of
Amazons" (here she saluted; one soon gets into the knack of it, and it
gives an air of efficiency) "have looked forward to this day for
weeks. How their hearts fill with pride at the thought of being
reviewed by your Royal Highness!"

She had paid, or rather received, the money for the Army so often that
she had quite got to believe in its existence. She even kept a roll of
the different companies (it meant more delightful red ink for one
thing), and wrote herself little notes recommending Corporal Gretal
Hottshott for promotion to sergeant.

"I know very little about armies, I'm afraid," said Hyacinth. "I've
always left that to my father. But I think it's a sweet idea of yours
to enrol the women to defend me. It's a little expensive, is it not?"

"Your Royal Highness, armies are _always_ expensive."

The Princess took her seat, and beckoned Wiggs with a smile to her
side. The Court, in attitudes even more picturesque than before,
grouped itself behind her.

"Is your Royal Highness ready?"

"Quite ready, Countess."

The Countess clapped her hands.

There was a moment's hesitation, and then, armed to the teeth, Amazon
after Amazon marched by. . . .

An impressive scene. . . .

However, Wiggs must needs try to spoil it.

"Why, it's Woggs!" she cried.

"Silly child!" said Belvane in an undertone, giving her a push.

The Princess looked round inquiringly.

"The absurd creature," explained the Countess, "thought she recognized
a friend in your Royal Highness's gallant Army."

"How clever of her! They all look exactly alike to _me_."

Belvane was equal to the occasion.

"The uniform and discipline of an army have that effect rather," she
said. "It has often been noticed."

"I suppose so," said the Princess vaguely. "Oughtn't they to march in
fours? I seem to remember, when I came to reviews with Father----"

"Ah, your Royal Highness, that was an army of men. With women--well,
we found that if they marched side by side, th