The day passed in sports and merry-making, followed by other days in which the Brownies remained in close proximity to the palace. During all this time Florimel and Titania were much together, and their attachment for each other was remarked by all. [Illustration] The Brownies, growing uneasy over the thought that they might lose their new companion to whom they had become so friendly, were eager to move on in quest of fresh scenes and adventures. King Stanislaus, with the belief that this might be a passing fancy on the part of Florimel, humored his wishes, and ordered the band to remain. When he reached the definite conclusion that it was not, he said: "My son, we have been here now quite a long time. Do you not think we had better seek some other place where we can do good?" Florimel's face showed his disappointment. "No matter where one may be," he said, "there are always plenty of opportunities to do good. Why not continue here, where we are all so happy?" "I hope to make Titania my wife," said Florimel simply. "And where you are happiest of all," said His Majesty, with a knowing wink. "Ah, Florimel, my boy, your whole life-story, like nearly every other man's, may be summed up in just these three words: hatched, matched, dispatched! Tell me how far matters have gone." He looked anxiously at King Stanislaus's face, as though he feared to see displeasure written there, but the genial, encouraging smile upon the royal countenance caused him to take heart. "I shall be sorry to lose a son," said the kindly monarch, "but I shall be rejoiced to gain a daughter. Frankly it has always been my great desire to have an alliance of the Brownies and fairies, for together we can do more good than if we worked alone. But until you came I never knew how this could be effected, for Brownies can never marry." "Much pleased am I by those words, Your Majesty," said Florimel. "I do not deny that I wish to be with Titania, for my feelings as far as she is concerned are too plain to be disguised. Still it is not alone the joy of being near her that causes me to wish this, but the thought that harm may come to her at any time, in which case I might be able to be of service to her." [Illustration] King Stanislaus seemed very much surprised. "Harm!" he repeated. "What harm can befall her?" "You forget the great danger she was in from the Human Octopus," reminded Florimel. "But the Human Octopus is no more," said the king. "There is nothing to fear on that score, drop him from memory." "Still Dragonfel the enchanter has made his threats," said Florimel. "They may be wild, foolish threats, yet they cause me great uneasiness. I fear for the queen because of him." Then he told the king for the first time how the Red Spirit, after the Human Octopus had been cleft in twain by the magic arrow, had flown away into the air, to bide his time, perhaps for further mischief and wrong-doing.