ell her that
Mr. Russell was alive; it might be dangerous. "Auntie" had so set her mind
upon this insane project that any attempt to thwart her would certainly
draw down vengeance upon the head of the one who should dare to attempt
it. That one certainly was not Katie. She liked, as far as possible, to
have things move on smoothly around her; and so the only thought she now
had was to chime in with "Auntie's" fancy; to humor her, as one would
humor an insane person, and to hope that something might turn up in time
to prevent anything "dreadful."

In this state of mind Katie went on talking with "Auntie." But "Auntie"
was hard to humor; she was altogether too grand and lofty for little
Katie. In fancy she already wore a crown, and talked of the throne, the
sceptre, and the majesty of Spain as though they had always been her
private property.

"I've been two or three days," said she, "with 'His Majesty.' He has been
most kind. His royal will is that I should wear this hat. Do you think it
is becoming? Under other circumstances I should be talked about, I know;
but where the welfare of Spain is concerned, I don't care for public
opinion. When I am seated on the throne all will be explained."

At such a torrent as this poor Katie could only take refuge in silence.

CHAPTER LIX.

HOW A SURPRISE-PARTY IS VERY MUCH SURPRISED.

During these remarks "His Majesty" had been fumbling, with a thoughtful
expression, in his coat-pocket, as though trying to extricate something,
the bulk of which prevented it from being drawn forth without some
difficulty; and as he tugged and fumbled he began to speak.

"I came here," said he, "on a surprise-party, an' begorra I niver was so
surprised in my loife, so I wasn't. An' be the same token, as it's a long
march we've had, an' as we've got to wait here an hour or so, an' as we're
on the ave av an attack an' may niver live to see another day, shure
there's ivery raison in loife"--and with this he fumbled still more
vigorously in his pocket--"why"--he gave a thrust and a pull--"why we
should all wet our whistles"--he gave a series of violent twists--"wid a
dhrop av somethin' warrum;" and with this he succeeded in getting the
object of his attempts extricated from his pocket, and proudly displayed
before the eyes of the company a black junk-bottle.

The others looked at this with some surprise, but no other feeling. The
whole proceeding seemed to them to show an ill-timed levity;