"I have an impression," said the Duchess drowsily, "that I shall wake up presently and find all this has been a dream. I trust so, but, if not, would you mind telling this elderly gentleman to set me down in some unfrequented part--_not_ Stratford Place, where I should attract more attention than is at all desirable." "That's a good idea, Duchess!" said Lady Muscombe. "He can drop us on Clapham Common, and we can share a taxi home." Queen Selina kissed her hand affectionately to them both as the storks spread their great wings and the car slowly rose. But her salute was not returned--principally for the reason that both ladies had already closed their eyes in slumber. "And we might have made those two women our friends for life!" she lamented, as she went indoors. "I hope, Edna, my love, you see _now_ what comes of getting your own way?" "If I have been mistaken for once," said Edna, in a spiritless tone, "you needn't rub it in, Mother. I can't imagine now what I could ever have seen in that detestable creature." "Nor I--especially as you could see nothing in Prince Mirliflor, who really _was_--no, my dear, I'm only speaking for your good. If I was sure you regretted your treatment of him, I might perhaps find some way----" "I dare say I should act differently if he asked me again. But he won't. This dreadful story is sure to get round to him somehow. Of course I'm glad Ruprecht has been found out in time. But he need not have been exposed so publicly! I _do_ resent that. And you heard what Ruby said? Miss Heritage was at the bottom of it. She deliberately planned this to humiliate me! And if you have the smallest consideration for me, Mother, you will forbid her to appear at Court after this." "I'm afraid she is a designing young person," admitted the Queen, "and I have thought more than once lately of sending her home to England." "Then do it, Mother. If you don't, I shall simply refuse to appear in public myself, sooner than meet her." "She shall go, my dear. I'll see the Court Godmother about it at once. And don't let yourself get too downhearted over the other affair--Prince Mirliflor, I mean. I've great hopes we can put that right." "I've just left poor darling Edna," she began, as soon as she found the Fairy alone; "all this has been a terrible shock to her, as you may imagine. But it seems I was right in thinking she never really cared for that unspeakable man. He _terrified_ her into accepting him. And, between ourselves, Godmother, I fancy that, if you _could_ induce Prince Mirliflor to come forward again, he would not be sent away a second time." "So I should imagine, myself," said the Fairy drily. "But, as it happens, owing to the result of my previous efforts, I have lost all influence with Mirliflor. He and I have fallen out."