Having no suspicion of what was in the evil minds of those she was preparing so hospitably to entertain, Titania with her companions ushered them into the magnificent banquet-room.
There upon one of the long tables were spread many delicacies to make one's mouth water, and, even before an invitation to partake of them could be extended, the four red imps seated themselves before it, and, smacking their lips, began to tuck napkins under their chins.
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Titania had thought that the guests would leave the presents they had brought out in the hall when they came in, but they still held on to them with a grip so tenacious that she wondered if they really meant to give them up, after all.
Nevertheless in a free-hearted way she urged the visitors to refresh themselves. The imps were already engaged in trying to stuff whole plum puddings into their mouths at once, a greedy proceeding that Dame Drusilda, Violet, and Daffodil watched with considerable disgust.
All but the leader started quickly to seat themselves, but he stamped his foot imperiously, and they came to an instant stop.
Then he threw back the hood of his scarlet cloak, disclosing a wicked face, and transfixed Titania with his malicious gaze.
"I am Dragonfel the enchanter, my fine little lady," he said, in fiendish tones, "and I have come to take you away with me!"
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Titania was so frightened that she could neither scream nor run away, and she allowed him to gather her up in his arms and hold her just as a little girl does a doll, making light of load.
There she lay passive and trembling, with the realization that it would be useless to make any effort to escape.
Almost immediately afterward Grouthead seized the biting, scratching, and clawing Dame Drusilda, whom he dumped in spite of fierce resistance into the baby's crib, and when Mandrake and Wolfinger put Violet and Daffodil in after her it was very plain why this particular gift had been selected.
"Yes, and you're not going to get these presents, either," sneered Dragonfel to Titania, who said never a word. "You may call me an Injun-giver, if you like, but I mean to take them back, just the same!"
With Titania helpless in his arms he started toward a rear door, while after him came Grouthead and Wolfinger bearing the crib in which Dame Drusilda, Violet, and Daffodil rattled about like dried peas in a pod.
The others followed slowly and reluctantly in their wake, casting longing glances backward at the tempting-looking desserts on the table.
The imps, however, did not budge, but continued eating. When Dragonfel called out to them in angry tones they sprang up and attempted at the same time to jam charlotte russe into their gaping mouths.
In their frantic haste they smeared the charlotte or russe, whichever the white part is, all over their faces, so that as they hurried after the others with occasional frisky somersaults they looked as though they had just been lathered by a barber.
Out by the rear all passed into the deserted back-garden where there was a small iron door locked and bolted from the inside, and with the key, fortunately for their nefarious plans, in the lock.
Through this door Dragonfel and his followers effected their escape with their captives, and ran with all possible speed toward the sea-shore.
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The galleon tossed upon the lazy swell, not a great distance out, and in a small boat with Snoutpimple and Boundingbore at the oars they rowed to it, and soon were on board.
Then the anchor was weighed, and with all sails filling they set their course for Dragonfel's enchanted country, which they reached without mishap of any kind.
When they got to their journey's end, and all stood safe upon the shore, the full malignity of Dragonfel was shown.
Realizing that the indomitable Brownies would not relinquish Titania without a struggle, but would follow as quickly as they could to wrest her if possible from him, he ordered Vulcan's imps to call upon their master to impede them with a storm.
The imps thereupon cast balls of fire into the air, and, even as all bent their steps toward the palace, the enchanter noted with considerable satisfaction quite a change in the temperature. Clouds were already beginning to form on the horizon, and there came the distant rumble of continuous thunder.
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While they stood just outside the massive doors they heard the sounds of what appeared to be a violent altercation from within. In an agitated manner, as though he feared the worst, Dragonfel quickly threw them open, and was greatly relieved to see the Demon Usher and Red Spirit engaged in a friendly game of checkers.
"You cheated!" the Red Spirit accused hotly. "You jumped three of my men when you should have only jumped two!"
"Stop it!" snarled Dragonfel at them. "You don't know how to play checkers, anyhow!"
They sprang in consternation to their feet, upsetting the board, and causing the checkers to roll all over the floor.
While the Red Spirit stood gloating over the success of a venture in which he had played a modest part, the Demon Usher half skipped, half flew, to the throne, and with a display of much enthusiasm began dusting off the seat with a cloth.
With swaggering stride Dragonfel went to the throne, and threw himself in it, while Queen Titania, Dame Drusilda, Violet, and Daffodil all came running toward him.
"Oh, sir," cried Dame Drusilda, very much distressed, "why have you brought us poor, defenseless girls here?"
"Us, my venerable fairy!" said Dragonfel, most insultingly.
"Venerable!" repeated Dame Drusilda. "Oh, you nasty man!"
"How do you keep your age?" he sneered.
"Easy enough," she replied indignantly. "I never give it away."
As she spoke she made for him as though she meant to scratch his eyes out, but Queen Titania pulled her back.
"Don't touch him, Dame Drusilda!" she cried, and then turned pleadingly to Dragonfel. "Why have you made me a prisoner, and carried me away from home in this way?"
"To prevent your marriage to the Brownie prince," he said coldly.
"But we love each other, and would be so happy," she said, while tears filled her pretty eyes. "Why do you oppose the marriage?"
"Because if this marriage were to take place," he said, with an ugly frown, "it would make you all so powerful as to result in my undoing."
"You fear," she said reprovingly, "that we will frustrate all your wicked plans."
"It must not, shall not be!" was his decided response. "The Brownies and fairies have long been my enemies."
"If you did good," she reminded, gently, "we would be your friends. Tell me, must I stay here always?"
"Yes, always!" he snapped out. "The sooner you forget your Brownie prince the better. You shall never see him again."
Then Titania showed her spirit.
"Oh, yes, I shall!" she contradicted. "The Brownies will rescue us!"
"Bah!" he said contemptuously. "Those poor, weak creatures of the night?
They could not do it."
"The Brownies can do anything," she said, with perfect trust and confidence.