d.

"You may leave," said the Countess with dignity. "Her Royal Highness
sent me in here to wait for her."

The woman curtsied and withdrew.

The Countess then uttered these extraordinary words:

"When I am Queen in Euralia they shall leave me backwards!"

Her subsequent behaviour was even more amazing.

She stood by the side of the door, and putting her hand to her mouth
said shrilly, "Ter-rum, ter-rum, terrumty-umty-um." Then she took her
hand away and announced loudly, "Her Majesty Queen Belvane the First!"
after which she cheered slightly.

Then in came Her Majesty, a very proper dignified gracious Queen--none
of your seventeen-year-old chits. Bowing condescendingly from side to
side she made her way to the Throne, and with a sweep of her train she
sat down.

Courtiers were presented to her; representatives from foreign
countries; Prince Hanspatch of Tregong, Prince Ulric, the Duke of
Highanlow.

"Ah, my dear Prince Hanspatch," she cried, stretching out her hand to
the right of her; "and you, dear Prince Ulric," with a graceful
movement of the left arm towards him; "and, dear Duke, _you_ also!"
Her right hand, which Prince Hanspatch had by now finished with, went
out to the Duke of Highanlow that he too might kiss it.

But it was arrested in mid-air. She felt rather than saw that the
Princess was watching her in amazement from the doorway.

Without looking round she stretched out again first one arm and then
the other. Then, as if she had just seen the Princess, she jumped up
in a pretty confusion.

"Oh, your Royal Highness," she cried, "you caught me at my physical
exercises!" She gave a self-conscious little laugh. "My physical
exercises--a forearm movement." Once again she stretched out her arm.
"Building up the--er--building up--building up----"

Her voice died away, for the Princess still looked coldly at her.

"Charming, Countess," she said. "I am sorry to interrupt you, but I
have some news for you. You will like to know that I am inviting
Prince Udo of Araby here on a visit. I feel we want a little outside
help in our affairs."

"Prince Udo?" cried the Countess. "_Here?_"

"Have you any objection?" said Hyacinth. She found it easier to be
stern now, for the invitation had already been sent off by the hand of
the King's Messenger. Nothing that the Countess could say could
influence her.

"No objection, your Royal Highness; but it seems so strange. And then
the expense! M