"SHE GLANCED INTO THE LONG CHEVAL-GLASS" (_See page 32_) _Frontispiece_ "SHE PUSHED THE BUSHES ASIDE AND CAME TOWARDS HIM" 47 "SHE BENT IN REAL DISTRESS OVER THE CURRANTS" 89 "SHE FLUNG THE CORN IN GOLDEN SHOWERS ON THEIR HEADS" 117 "THE PALE GIRL MADE NO ATTEMPT TO RISE" 155 "'SAY, MISS HILDY,--DO YOU LIKE PURPS?'" 205 "EACH TOOK A SKIMMER AND SET EARNESTLY TO WORK" 227 "'TAKE IT AND OPEN IT!'" 267 QUEEN HILDEGARDE. CHAPTER I. HILDEGARDIS GRAHAM. "And have you decided what is to become of Hilda?" asked Mrs. Graham. "Hilda?" replied her husband, in a tone of surprise, "Hilda? why, she will go with us, of course. What else should become of the child? She will enjoy the trip immensely, I have no doubt." Mrs. Graham sighed and shook her head. "I fear that is impossible, dear George!" she said. "To tell the truth, I am a little anxious about Hilda; she is not at all well. I don't mean that she is actually _ill_," she added quickly, as Mr. Graham looked up in alarm, "but she seems languid and dispirited, has no appetite, and is inclined to be fretful,--an unusual thing for her." "Needs a change!" said Mr. Graham, shortly. "Best thing for her. Been studying too hard, I suppose, and eating caramels. If I could discover the man who invented that pernicious sweetmeat, I would have him hanged!--hanged, madam!" "Oh, no, you wouldn't, dear!" said his wife, laughing softly; "I think his life would be quite safe. But about Hilda now! She _does_ need a change, certainly; but is the overland journey in July just the right kind of change for her, do you think?" Mr. Graham frowned, ran his fingers through his hair, drummed on the table, and then considered his boots attentively. "Well--no!" he said at last, reluctantly. "I--suppose--not. But what _can_ we do with her? Send her to Fred and Mary at the seashore?" "To sleep in a room seven by twelve, and be devoured by mosquitoes, and have to wear 'good clothes' all the time?" returned Mrs. Graham. "Certainly not." "Aunt Emily is going to the mountains," suggested Mr. Graham, doubtfully. "Yes," replied his wife, "with sixteen trunks, a maid, a footman, and three lapdogs! _That_ would _never_ do for Hilda." "You surely are not thinking of leaving her alone here with the servants?" The lady shook her head. "No, dear; such poor wits as Heaven granted me are not yet entirely gone, thank you!"