So Queen Selina ordered her to be removed to her apartments, and the fact that she was indisposed to be suppressed for the present, after which she left her Cabinet, feeling that Providence had been more than usually judicious. Her next step was to send for the Marshal and instruct him to remove Daphne from the Pavilion to a chamber in one of the Palace towers, where she was to remain a prisoner under his guardianship. "It's only for a short time, Marshal," she said. "And of course you will see that Miss Heritage is made thoroughly comfortable." And then, the ground having been thus cleared, she returned to the Throne Room. "Just a moment or two, my dear Mirliflor," she said suavely, "if Edna can spare you," and she drew him aside. "Well," she began, "I've been telling the dear old Court Godmother the difficulty I am in. You see, I would willingly recognise this engagement of yours--whatever I may _think_ about it--if I only _could_. But really, you know, I can't _possibly_ allow you to take Miss Heritage away until I am satisfied that your dear Father approves of her as a daughter-in-law. As her employer I feel responsible for the poor girl. And, besides, he _might_ think I had _encouraged_ this match, and I can't afford to put myself in such a false position as _that_!" "But," he objected, "my Godmother is going with us to Clairdelune, and she will explain all." "She has altered her plans," said the Queen, who was developing a quite unsuspected talent for diplomacy. "To tell you the truth, I fancy she is getting a little nervous about how King Tournesol may take what she has done. She feels--as I am afraid _I_ do--that it is wiser to keep dear Miss Heritage here under her own care till you have broken the news to your Father and obtained his consent." "My Father is certain to consent," said the Prince, "and if he did not----" "Oh, quite so--quite so--but both your Godmother and I consider that we ought to wait till he _does_ consent. Of course, if you can bring us a letter from him stating that he approves, all will be well. I'm sure you must quite understand that that is really as far as I _can_ go under the circumstances. And, if you start at once, you will be back here again in a very few days, bringing, I hope, a favourable answer. We shall be most pleased to lend you any horse you like in the Royal Stables." She was so plausible that poor Mirliflor, who, like most Fairy princes, was not very deeply versed in feminine wiles, was quite taken in. He thought her lacking in distinction for a Queen, but well meaning. And it was so like his Godmother to impose one more test on him. "I will set forth, then," he said, "as soon as I have seen my Daphne and assured her of my speedy return." "I'm afraid, my dear Mirliflor," said Queen Selina, "I'm _afraid_ you can't see her before you go." "And why not?" he asked.