d been almost forced to speak plainly, if only in the faint hope of
opening Edna's eyes to a sense of what she was doing. And though she had
failed, she did not in the least regret having spoken. If the other
ladies-in-waiting had known of her protest she would have been more
idolised by them than ever, but a lingering sense of loyalty kept her
from saying anything that might increase their disaffection for
"Princess Four-Eyes."

Perhaps the person in the Royal Household who felt the engagement most
acutely was the old Court Chamberlain. Queen Selina, returning from a
drive the next day, discovered him weeping, or rather absolutely
blubbering, in a darker corner of one of the passages. "I can't help it,
your Majesty," he said, almost inarticulate with emotion. "That the
Princess should have scorned such a consort as Prince Mirliflor for one
whose parentage--it's too much to bear! I think my old heart would break
if I had not once more put a hoop around it. If your Majesty only knew
how your subjects detest such an alliance as this!"

"I don't see what it has to do with _them_, Baron," said the Queen. "But
they have certainly been less respectful lately. I'm afraid we shall
have to take a sack of gold out again on our next drive. I was most
alarmed this afternoon by a rude person throwing something into the
coach which I quite thought at first was a bomb. However, it turned out
to be only a particularly fine turnip, though it very narrowly missed
his Majesty's nose. Of course, as the Marshal assures us, it _may_ have
been intended merely as a humble sort of offering, but I should like to
feel surer about it than I do. And--strictly between ourselves, Baron--I
should be only too thankful if this engagement was broken off. But what
can I _do_? The Princess won't listen to _me_!"

"Perchance," said the Baron, "she would allow herself to be influenced
by the noble ladies whom your Majesty spoke of."

"The Duchess of Gleneagles and the Marchioness of Muscombe? Ah, my dear
Baron, she might, if they were only here! I know they would do their
best to persuade her. But what is the use of thinking of that, when they
are both so far away?"

"And doubtless your Majesty is in ignorance of their very whereabouts."

"Oh, they would be in London just now," said the Queen, not displeased
to exhibit her knowledge. "The dear Duchess travelled down from the
North sometime ago to her town residence in Stratford Place--had her
tiara sto