Muscombe--when we're on speaking terms again."

"So very nice and friendly of you both!" said Queen Selina as she
escorted them across the hall to the foot of the immense staircase. "I
must apologise for asking you to come up all these steps, but there's
no such thing as a lift here. The Astrologer Royal offered to try and
procure us a flying carpet--but, of course, I wouldn't hear of that."

"Well," said the Duchess, as she toiled up, "this is certainly a
wonderful Palace you live in--I have never seen one so splendid in my
life!"

"Ah, my dear Duchess, it's much too large to be really comfortable,
and all the arrangements, too, so unlike our English ways! I'm afraid
I shall never get things done here according to _my_ ideas.... This
is _your_ room, dear Duchess, and yours is next, Marchioness. I will
send some of my waiting-women to you with everything necessary. You
will find us assembled in the Throne Room before lunch.... Oh, and
there's just one thing. My Court have got an impression--I'm sure
I don't know why--that we're quite old friends. If you _wouldn't_
mind--er--addressing me as 'Selina' now and then.... Not at all, I
assure you, I should consider it a compliment--from _you_.... Then I
shall hope to see you later on in the Throne Room.... It's in the left
wing, down the great corridor; you can't miss it because of the
trumpeters at the doors."

After an interval the two visitors made their appearance in the Throne
Room, arrayed in magnificent but rather fantastic robes of velvet and
brocade with long hanging sleeves lined with ermine--a costume which
suited Lady Muscombe better than the Duchess.

Queen Selina advanced to welcome them effusively. "So you've found your
way here!" she said. "How very well you both look in those dresses! Most
becoming, I assure you. By the bye, my dear Duchess, did you ever
recover that tiara you lost in the train?"

"I never _did_ lose it," replied the Duchess, "I believe some story got
into the papers, but it was a down-right lie."

"So glad! I must tell you that I don't as a rule wear my crown at lunch,
but I thought, to-day being a gala occasion--"

"Quite right!" said the Duchess. "And quite regal!"

"I could lend both of you tiaras, if it would make you feel more at your
ease."

"I feel perfectly at ease as I am, thank you," replied the Duchess
shortly.

"Nibbles gave me one of the family fenders," said the Marchioness, "but
I never wear it--it gives me such