"Braces given way," whispered Clarence to Edna; "silly old ass to go kneeling in 'em!" "Really, sir," said Mr. Stimpson, "this is most extraordinary behaviour." "You don't understand, Sidney," said Mrs. Wibberley-Stimpson, who had recovered from her first alarm and was now in a gratified flutter; "remember what I told you about Lady Harriet and the Pageant! Pray, get up, sir," she added to the stranger, "I haven't the advantage of knowing your name." "I am the Court Chamberlain," he said, "and my name is Treuherz von Eisenbaenden." It was unknown to Mrs. Stimpson, but she concluded that he was some Anglo-German commercial magnate, who would naturally be invited to join the Committee for any such patriotic purpose as a Pageant. As to the excessive ceremony of his manner, that was either the proper form for the occasion, or, what was more likely, Mr. Troitz, or whatever his name was, having come fresh from a dress rehearsal, could not divest himself as yet of his assumed character. The important point was that her interview with Lady Harriet had borne fruit already, and in the shape of a pressing invitation to play the distinguished part of "Queen!" The advantages thus offered for obtaining a social footing amongst county people made it easy to overlook any trifling eccentricities where the intention was so obviously serious. "Well, Mr. Troitz," she said graciously, "since the Committee have been kind enough to ask me, I shall be very pleased to be your Queen." "And if I may say so, Sir," said her husband, "there are few ladies in the vicinity who would prove more competent. In fact----" "That will do, Sidney," said his wife; "if Lady Harriet and the Committee did not consider me competent to be the Queen they would not have asked me." And Mr. Stimpson said no more. "Pardon," Mr. Treuherz said, looking at him with solemn surprise, "but--who is _this_?" "This is my husband, Mr. Troitz--let me introduce him." "Your husband. Then, he will be the King!" "The King?" cried Mr. Stimpson, "why, really, I'm not sure that would be altogether in my line." "Nonsense, Sidney. Of _course_ you will be the King if they want you! And this is my son, Clarence, Mr. Troitz. My daughters, Edna and Ruby." "A Crown Prince!" cried Treuherz, and bent low to each in turn. "And two--no, I mistake--_three_ Princesses! Ah, it is too much for me altogether!" It was almost too much for Ruby, who giggled helplessly, while even Daphne had to bite her lip rather hard for a moment. "The other young lady," corrected Mrs. Wibberley-Stimpson, "is merely my daughter Ruby's governess--Miss Heritage. But if you like to find a place for her as one of my ladies of honour or something, I have no objection to her accepting a part," she added, reflecting that Miss Heritage's manners and appearance would add to the family importance, while it would be a comfort to have an attendant who could not give herself such airs as might a girl belonging to a county family.