be
surpassed, but we must allow the enchantress to use her magic once more,
by giving my darling ferns their bath of beauty. Then you shall see them
in their diamond robes."

Saying this, she pressed another button. A thousand tiny pipes,
concealed in the ribs of the stone roof, gave forth a shower of fine
spray, filling the long fernery with a hazy mist of cobweb fineness.
Very soon millions of globules of moisture gathered on leaf, stock,
frond, plume and tiny tip of every leaflet, reflecting each ray of light
with diamond-like brilliancy. Pressing another button to shut off the
spray, Fern Fenwick said:

"Now, Mr. Flagg, my ferns have donned their royal robes and are ready
for your tour of admiring inspection. I assure you they are worthy of
it. As a choice collection of ferns in such perfect condition, its equal
cannot be found in all the wide world! As a collector I am an
enthusiast; for many months I have travelled far and wide in my efforts
to add new specimens of rare beauty to the original collection. You may
guess how much I prize it when I tell you that money could not buy it."

"You are surely a most wonderful enchantress," replied Fillmore Flagg.
"I feel that under the potent spell of your magical wand, I have entered
the inner mysteries of some glorious temple of ferns, in a world of
enchantment! I am so fascinated and dazzled by this marvellous display
of brilliancy and beauty, that I am moved to pay homage to you, Miss
Fenwick, as a fitting tribute of loyal devotion to Fern, the Fairy Queen
of this fair temple."

As he finished his gallant speech, the deep tones of emotion vibrating
in the full rich voice of Fillmore Flagg, and the look of intense
admiration which shone so eloquently from his eyes, brought a flush of
color to the fair face of Fern Fenwick and warned her that it was time
to be moving. Skillfully keeping up the personification, she quickly
said:

"Mr. Flagg, I am delighted on behalf of the fairies to express thanks
for the glowing tribute to their Queen which you have so beautifully
voiced. Let us now walk through to the end of the fernery and return. As
we pass along I will point out my favorite plants."

Only a few steps had been taken when Fillmore Flagg paused, listening
and looking about him in all directions, with a very puzzled expression.
A delightfully cool breeze was fanning their faces: this breeze was
laden with some strangely sweet perfume both soothing and stimulating