"Your Royal Highness's brave Women Defenders, the Home Defence Army of Amazons" (here she saluted; one soon gets into the knack of it, and it gives an air of efficiency) "have looked forward to this day for weeks. How their hearts fill with pride at the thought of being reviewed by your Royal Highness!" She had paid, or rather received, the money for the Army so often that she had quite got to believe in its existence. She even kept a roll of the different companies (it meant more delightful red ink for one thing), and wrote herself little notes recommending Corporal Gretal Hottshott for promotion to sergeant. "I know very little about armies, I'm afraid," said Hyacinth. "I've always left that to my father. But I think it's a sweet idea of yours to enrol the women to defend me. It's a little expensive, is it not?" "Your Royal Highness, armies are _always_ expensive." The Princess took her seat, and beckoned Wiggs with a smile to her side. The Court, in attitudes even more picturesque than before, grouped itself behind her. "Is your Royal Highness ready?" "Quite ready, Countess." The Countess clapped her hands. There was a moment's hesitation, and then, armed to the teeth, Amazon after Amazon marched by. . . . An impressive scene. . . . However, Wiggs must needs try to spoil it. "Why, it's Woggs!" she cried. "Silly child!" said Belvane in an undertone, giving her a push. The Princess looked round inquiringly. "The absurd creature," explained the Countess, "thought she recognized a friend in your Royal Highness's gallant Army." "How clever of her! They all look exactly alike to _me_." Belvane was equal to the occasion. "The uniform and discipline of an army have that effect rather," she said. "It has often been noticed." "I suppose so," said the Princess vaguely. "Oughtn't they to march in fours? I seem to remember, when I came to reviews with Father----" "Ah, your Royal Highness, that was an army of men. With women--well, we found that if they marched side by side, they _would_ talk all the time." The Court, which had been resting on the right leg with the left knee bent, now rested on the left leg with the right knee bent. Woggs also was getting tired. The last company of the Army of Amazons was not marching with the abandon of the first company. [Illustration: _Armed to the teeth, Amazon after Amazon marched by_] "I think I should like them to halt now so that I can address them," said Hyacinth. Belvane was taken aback for the moment. "I am afraid, your--your Royal Highness," she stammered, her brain working busily all the time, "that that would be contrary to--to--to the spirit of--er--the King's Regulations. An army--an army in marching order--must--er--_march_." She made a long forward movement with her hand. "Must march," she repeated, with an innocent smile. "I see," said Hyacinth, blushing guiltily again.