"Much the same thing happened to _me_," said the Duchess. "Only I was told that the Queen wished to see me at once on an urgent matter. Of course, as the messenger's appearance did not inspire me with confidence, I insisted on seeing his credentials. And then he disappeared, and I found myself caught up and carried off. I suppose none of my people were in the hall, or else they were too afraid to come to my rescue. And Stratford Place is very quiet, so my smothered cries attracted no attention. Besides, I fancy I must have been chloroformed." "I expect we both were. Nibbles would be furious if he knew--luckily he doesn't. We had a tiff, and he went off to Monte, all on his little lone. But I wish I had any idea where we are." "I have certainly no recollection of ever having been in such a place as this before in my life," said the Duchess. Daphne returned in time to offer what explanations she could. "I know it must seem a little strange at first," she said, coming forward, "but this is the Palace of the Queen of Maerchenland." "Maerchenland?" repeated the Duchess. "And where may _that_ be? Never heard of such a country!" "Well," said Daphne, "it's a long way from everywhere, and it's the place where most of the stories one used to think were only Fairy Tales really happened." "I never expected to find myself in Fairyland," the Duchess remarked. "Tell me--are you the Queen of this country? You look as if you might be." "Oh no," replied Daphne, with a little laugh. "I'm only one of her ladies-in-waiting. She hasn't long been Queen. We were all carried here from England in a big car drawn by flying storks--the one that brought _you_, I expect. I don't know, of course," she added dubiously, "but you may have met Queen Selina when she lived at Gablehurst--her former name was Mrs. Wibberley-Stimpson." "Wibberley-Stimpson?" repeated the Duchess thoughtfully. "No, I can't say I remember anyone of that name." "Nor I," said Lady Muscombe languidly. "Don't know _any_ one at Gablehurst." "But if she is half as charming as you, my dear," added the Duchess graciously, "it will give me much pleasure to make her acquaintance, though I am curious to know why she seems to have taken so much trouble to cultivate mine." At this moment Queen Selina herself arrived, very much out of breath. "Your Grace!" she began, "My lady Marchioness!" "Ah, here is the housekeeper!" said the Duchess, before Daphne could enlighten her. "Can you tell us, my good woman, when and where her Majesty will receive us?" "I--I _am_ her Majesty!" said Queen Selina, wishing she had devoted more pains to her morning toilet. "Oh, to be sure," said the Duchess. "You must forgive my blunder, Ma'am, but my sight is not what it was."