ldren who
come first with Him. He may not give them just what they ask for, but
it's generally something better."

Tessa stared at him, her eyes round and dark. "S'pose," she said
suddenly, "a big snake was to come out of that corner, and I was to say,
'Don't let it bite me, Lord!' Do you think it would?"

"No," said Bernard very decidedly.

"Oh!" said Tessa. "Well, I wish one would then, for I'd love to see if
it would or not."

Bernard pulled her to him and kissed her. "We won't talk any more about
snakes or you'll be dreaming of them," he said. "Come along and dine
with me! Rather sport having it all to ourselves, eh?"

"Where's Aunt Stella and Uncle Everard?" asked Tessa.

"Oh, they're preparing for the reception. Let me take your Highness's
cloak! This is the banqueting-room."

He threw the cloak over a chair in the verandah, and led her into the
drawing-room, where a small table lighted by candles with crimson shades
awaited them.

"How pretty!" cried Tessa, clapping her hands.

Peter in snowy attire, benign and magnificent, attended to their wants,
and the feast proceeded, vastly enjoyed by both. Tessa had never been so
_feted_ in all her small life before.

When, at the end of the repast, to an accompaniment of nuts and
sweetmeats, Bernard poured her a tiny ruby-coloured liqueur glass of
wine, her delight knew no bounds.

"I've never enjoyed myself so much before," she declared. "What a ducky
little glass! Now I'm going to drink your health!"

"No. I drink yours first." Bernard arose, holding his glass high. "I
drink to the Princess Bluebell. May she grow fairer every day! And may
her cup of blessing be always full!"

"Thank you," said Tessa. "And now, Uncle St. Bernard, I'm going to drink
to you. May you always have lots to laugh at! And may your prayers
always come true! That rhymes, doesn't it?" she added complacently. "Do
I drink all my wine now, or only a sip?"

"Depends," said Bernard.

"How does it depend?"

"It depends on how much you love me," he explained. "If there's any one
else you love better, you save a little for him."

She looked straight at him with a hint of embarrassment in her eyes.
"I'm afraid I love Uncle Everard best," she said.

Bernard smiled upon her with reassuring kindliness. "Quite right, my
child. So you ought. There's Tommy too and Aunt Stella. I am sure you
want to drink to them."

Tessa slipped round the table to his side, clasping her glass tightly.
As