"Your Majesty, he deliberately swallowed a half-dozen of the palace spoons."
"Why did you do it?" asked Queen Titania of the culprit.
"I don't know," he said shamefacedly.
"But I do," said Queen Titania. "You did it to stir up things. Have you a sweetheart?"
"Yes, I've got a bird!"
"Well, now you can go and spoon with her!"
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All were quite delighted with the wisdom shown by their tiny sovereign in dispensing justice. But before other important matters could be disposed of a fairy messenger named Pink with her petalled attire all flecked with dust dashed in great excitement into the throne-room. She had ridden many leagues upon a winged steed, and in its terrific speed which was far greater than that of the swiftest aeroplane it had used both wings and feet.
Pink ran toward the throne to impart the news that had brought her in such hot haste, but the unexpected sight of Queen Titania stilled the words upon her frightened lips, and caused them to part instead with wonder and surprise.
"This is Queen Titania," hastily explained Dame Drusilda, "who henceforth is to reign over us."
Pink knelt low before Titania and kissed her royal robe.
"Your Majesty," she said, "I am the bearer of bad news. Dragonfel the wicked enchanter across the sea has declared his intention of making trouble for the fairies."
"Who told you this?" asked Queen Titania.
"A little bird," was Pink's reply.
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"This is very serious," said Queen Titania gravely, "for little birds never tell fibs." There was a clamor of dismayed, excited voices, but the queen raised her wand for silence, and continued:
"Though it may only be an idle threat, I will still appeal to Euphrosyne. Should we ever need her help right gladly she will give it."
Her hearers all looked puzzled, and Dame Drusilda made bold to ask: "Who is Euphrosyne of whom you speak?" "Have you not heard of her?" Queen Titania asked, with much surprise. "She is the Goddess of Mirth, who tries to make the whole world happy--a most gigantic task. Come with me, and I will send her an invisible summons." With the Cupids bearing her train she passed with the fairies out to the palace courtyard where fountains played and flowers bloomed. There she raised her wand, and told them to look up. And doing so they beheld a most marvelous sight--a radiant, smiling-faced, gloriously beautiful young woman in classical white robes, with her sandalled feet resting ever so lightly upon one of the pearl-tinged clouds.
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Around her circled snowy doves, cooing, fluttering, and settling on her head, bare shoulders and arms.
While Titania waved her wand, she suddenly gazed downward, as though something by means of an electric current had been transmitted to her through the air. She stroked a dove that had found its way trustingly to her hand, and as the others flew from her she herself seemed plumed for flight.
The fairies watched her with a suspense that was almost painful, but to their great disappointment the passing clouds blotted her from sight.
But even the fairies who all the time are witnessing the most wonderful things were quite astounded when Euphrosyne in what seemed to be the very next moment appeared with the dove right in their very midst.
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"What is your wish?" she said to Queen Titania.
"Oh, beautiful Euphrosyne," said the little queen, "we are much concerned over the wicked Dragonfel."
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"The enchanter across the sea?" said Euphrosyne.
"And what about him?"
"He threatens harm to the fairies."
"Do not borrow trouble," said Euphrosyne.
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"Sometimes people make foolish threats, and when others heed them they have a good deal of needless worry." All looked very much relieved, and Queen Titania said: "Your encouraging words comfort us greatly."
"If I were you," advised Euphrosyne, "I'd always keep the portcullis down, and be very careful about admitting strangers. Don't let anyone in without a first-class reference. If Dragonfel annoys you, let me know."
"But how?" asked Queen Titania.
"You can send this magic dove to me!"
They looked at her, but she was gone, and no one knew whither. She seemed to have just melted away. Where her hand had been there was a dove, and, as it started to flutter off, with some difficulty they caught it.
Though she was very much encouraged by all Euphrosyne had said, Queen Titania still thought it prudent to post on one of the palace walls a warning placard so that those who ran might read.
And, it proved a task that was sufficient to interest some of the fairies the rest of the afternoon, and, by the time they got through, they were able to make some show at hitting the nail on the head.
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CHAPTER III
FLORIMEL REACHES THE ENCHANTED COUNTRY
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On and on flew Prince Florimel from the wicked uncle who meant to do him harm.
The friendly stars shone down to guide him on his way, but just what that way was he did not know. His only thought to put the palace as far behind him as he could, and at times he turned his head to look back at its frowning, shadowy walls that finally disappeared from sight.
Florimel gave a deep sigh of relief, but did not relax his speed in the slightest.
The words of the faithful old Gando were strongly impressed upon his mind, and he realized that the duke had designs on his life. When it was discovered that he was missing, a search would be made for him, and once in the power of the duke it would go hard with him.
So on he ran, and the few people whom he met paid little or no heed to him, thinking perhaps that he was some frightened peasant-child hastening to or from home upon some urgent night-errand. And as he went, always further and further away from the palace, the houses grew fewer and still fewer, till finally he found himself out in the open country.
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