By the end of the fifth one she knew that it was a mistake her ever having come into the Royal Family at all. By the end of the seventh she decided that if the Countess would forgive her this time she would never be naughty again. By the end of the ninth one she was just going to cry. The tenth one was in a very loud orange and was headed: SCHEME FOR ASSISTING CALISTHENICS IN REALM "Yes," said the Princess faintly; "I think it would be a good idea." "I thought if your Royal Highness approved," said Belvane, "we might just----" Hyacinth felt herself blushing guiltily--she couldn't think why. "I leave it to you, Countess," she murmured. "I am sure you know best." It was a remark which she would never have made to her Father. CHAPTER V BELVANE INDULGES HER HOBBY In a glade in the forest the Countess Belvane was sitting: her throne, a fallen log, her courtiers, that imaginary audience which was always with her. For once in her life she was nervous; she had an anxious morning in front of her. I can tell you the reason at once. Her Royal Highness was going to review her Royal Highness's Army of Amazons (see _Scheme II, Safety of Realm_). In half an hour she would be here. And why not? you say. Could anything be more gratifying? I will tell you why not. There was no Army of Amazons. In order that her Royal Highness should not know the sad truth, Belvane drew their pay for them. 'Twas better thus. In any trouble Belvane comforted herself by reading up her diary. She undid the enormous volume, and, idly turning the pages, read some of the more delightful extracts to herself. "_Monday, June 1st_," she read. "Became bad." She gave a sigh of resignation to the necessity of being bad. Roger Scurvilegs is of the opinion that she might have sighed a good many years before. According to him she was born bad. "_Tuesday, June 2nd_," she read on. "Realised in the privacy of my heart that I was destined to rule the country. _Wednesday, June 3rd._ Decided to oust the Princess. _Thursday, June 4th._ Began ousting." What a confession for any woman--even for one who had become bad last Monday! No wonder Belvane's diary was not for everybody. Let us look over her shoulder and read some more of the wicked woman's confessions. "_Friday, June 5th._ Made myself a----" Oh, that's quite private. However we may read this: "_Thought for the week._ Beware lest you should tumble down In reaching for another's crown." An admirable sentiment which Roger Scurvilegs would have approved, although he could not have rhymed it so neatly. The Countess turned on a few more pages and prepared to write up yesterday's events. "_Tuesday, June 23rd_," she said to herself. "Now what happened? Acclaimed with enthusiasm outside the Palace--how do you spell 'enthusiasm'?" She bit the end of her pencil and pondered. She turned back the pages till she came to the place.