ved to the attics before I come up
here to undress. Really, I never knew such a country as this is! Boar's
heads trying to speak at luncheon, and mirrors making personal remarks,
and everything so strange and unnatural! But you take it all as a matter
of course, Miss Heritage; nothing seems to surprise _you_."

"I think, Ma'am," said Daphne, "because I've always known that, if I
ever _did_ get to Maerchenland, it would be very much like this."

"Considering that you had no better means of knowing what it would be
like than I had myself," replied the Queen, "I can only ascribe that to
affectation.... Surely there must be more of the Crown jewellery than I
have been given as yet?... Yes, there _may_ be something in that
chest.... Good gracious me! _What_ diamonds! I don't think the dear
Duchess of Gleneagles herself can have anything to approach them!...
Yes, you can put me on a _riviere_, and two of the biggest ropes of
pearls.... It won't do to go down looking dowdy. Dear me," she added, as
she took up the pendant she had bought from Daphne twenty-four hours
before, "to think of my giving so much money for this paltry thing! If I
had known then what I do now, I should never have--but, of course, I
don't mean that I should think of going back on it."

"I'm afraid, Ma'am," said Daphne, "I couldn't pay it back now; I sent
the cheque last night."

"I am quite content to bear the loss, Miss Heritage. And, by the way,
you may not be aware of it, but it is hardly correct or usual, in
speaking to me, to call me 'Ma'am.'"

"I've always understood, Ma'am," said Daphne, "that our own Queen--in
England, I mean----"

"How the Queen of England may allow herself to be addressed is entirely
her own affair," said Queen Selina handsomely; "I have nothing whatever
to do with _that_. But I am Queen of Maerchenland, Miss Heritage, and I
shall be obliged by your addressing me as 'Your Majesty' on _all_
occasions."

"Certainly, your Majesty," said Daphne, executing a profound curtsey
with a little smile that she was quite unable to repress. "I assure your
Majesty that your Majesty may rely on my addressing your Majesty as
'Your Majesty' for the future, your Majesty."

"That is better, Miss Heritage, much better--a little overdone, but
still--And now," she added, "you had better go and see if Princess Edna
wants any assistance. You need not trouble to change your own dress, as,
of course, you will not sit down to dinner with us."

"