up his mighty head and called, "Silence, Dolphins."

Immediately the curious sounds of humming ceased.

"The party I give is to be the most beautiful in the world, displaying
wonders such as no Emperor can procure. Each of the Four Seasons shall
appear before us, perfect in every way, to be followed by the Pavilion
of Gold."

"It shall be done, O Lal."

"My guests will be all the stray children of London. Call them from
every street and court, from out every by-way, alley, and lane."

"They are all here waiting, O Lal."

"Good. Also gather together all the lost and stray dogs of London,
every single one who is wandering about to-night."

"They have all been summoned, O Lal."

"The Royalty present will include Queen Boadicea, King Richard I., King
Charles I., and St. George."

"Each has received a royal invitation, O Lal, and the Royal personages
will all be pleased to attend."

"Each boy and girl is to be dressed in the most costly costume,
according to their taste."

"All is prepared for them, Lal, and even as you desire, great splendour
awaits them, and nothing will be lacking for their perfect enjoyment."

"Good; see that all is well done, and be ready to begin when I give the
signal. You understand?"

"We understand," laughed the four merry Lions.

"We obey," squeaked the Dolphins.

"Only one thing remains to be done, to dress you, Ridgwell, and you,
Christine."

"What shall we be dressed in?" inquired Christine.

"Shut your eyes," said the Lion gently, "and stretch your hands over
the lake of the fountain and take what the Dolphins give you. They
know what you want, and their taste in such matters is exquisite."

The children shut their eyes and obeyed. The Lion leant over the rim
of the lake and whispered to the Dolphins--

"Dress the boy like a prince, and the girl like a little queen. The
richest stuff, mind, five guineas a yard. Give her a crown of the
whitest daisies with shell pink petal tips for a crown. No jewels, no
pearls, no, no.

Take, oh take the pearls away,
For they bring tears, the wise men say.

chanted the Lion in his rich double bass. "Give them both jewelled
shoe buckles; give the boy jewelled levee buttons for his satin
breeches, a plain gold circlet for his head. A train for the girl from
her shoulders, of pure cloth of gold; bring it light, so that it does
not weigh heavily. White satin for the boy, with richest figured
velvet doublet set with clot