id, peaceful state of mind. The weather was pleasantly cool--just
cool enough to render the brilliant sunshine most enjoyable. Not a
zephyr disturbed the glassy surface of the sea outside or the lagoon
within, or broke the perfect reflections of the islets among which they
moved. The silence would have been even oppressive had it not been for
the soft, plaintive cries of wildfowl and the occasional whistling of
wings as they hurried to and fro, and the solemn boom of the great
breakers as they fell at slow regular intervals on the reef. "Doesn't
it sound," said Pauline, looking up from her sketch with a flush of
delight, "like the deep soft voice of the ocean speaking peace to all
mankind?"

"What, the breakers?" asked Otto.

"Yes, dropping with a soft deep roar as they do in the midst of the
universal silence."

"Well, it doesn't quite strike me in that light, Pina. My imagination
isn't so lively as yours. Seems to me more like the snoring of a
sleeping giant, whom it is best to let lie still like a sleeping dog,
for he's apt to do considerable damage when roused."

The soft influences around soon reduced the pair to silence again.
After a time it was broken by Pauline.

"What are you thinking of, Otto?"

"I was thinking, your majesty, that it seems unfair, after making Joe
prime minister, Dom a privy councillor, the doctor Court physician and
general humbug, that you should give me no definite position in the
royal household."

"What would you say to being commander of the forces?" asked Pauline
dreamily, as she put in a few finishing touches, "for then, you see, you
might adopt the title which you have unfairly bestowed on the doctor--
General Humbug."

Otto shook his head. "Wouldn't do, my dear queen. Not being a correct
description, your bestowing it would compromise your majesty's
well-known character for truthfulness. What d'you say to make me a
page--page in waiting?"

"You'll have to turn over a new leaf if I do, for a page is supposed to
be quiet, respectful, polite, obedient, ready--"

"No use to go further, Pina. I'm not cut out for a page. Will you land
on this islet?"

They were gliding softly past one of the most picturesque and verdant
gems of the lagoon at the time.

"No, I've taken a fancy to make a sketch from that one nearer to the
shore of Big Island. You see, there is not only a very picturesque
group of trees on it just at that place, but the background happens to
be f