Droop was at first all astonishment at this accusation, but in a few moments he guessed the true state of the case. Without delay he explained the exchange of clothes, and had no difficulty in persuading Rebecca that it was Francis Bacon whom she had pursued by mistake. "Poor young man!" Rebecca exclaimed, in a low voice of contrition. "Why, he must hev took me fer a lunatic!" Then she suddenly recollected her young attendants, and turned so as to bring them on one hand and Droop on the other. "Young ladies," she said, primly, "this here's Mr. Copernicus Droop, from America." With one accord the six girls dropped their eyes and courtesied low. "Mr. Droop," Rebecca continued, as she indicated one of the girls after the other with her forefinger, "make you acquainted with Miss Clarissa, Miss Margaret, Miss Maria, Miss Gertrude, Miss Evelina, and Miss Dorothy. They've got sech tangled-up last names, I declare I can't keep 'em in my head. Mr. Droop's the same rank I am," she concluded, addressing the girls. Droop fidgeted and bowed six awkward bows with eyes riveted to the ground. He had never been a ladies' man, and this unexpected presentation was a doubly trying ordeal. There was a murmur of "your Highness" from the courtesying young women which convinced the abashed Yankee that he was being mocked, and this impression was deepened by the ill-suppressed giggles occasioned by the sight of his sadly rumpled hose. His confusion was complete. "Now, tell me," said Rebecca, curiously, "whatever brought you up here? Hev ye some errand with the Queen?" "Yes," said Droop. "My friend and me came up here to get a patent. Say," he exclaimed, brightening up with startling suddenness, "praps you know the racket--got the inside track, eh?" "Inside track!" "Yes. Don't you know the Patent Examiner--or Commissioner, or Lord High Thingummy that runs the Patent Office here? I hate to bother the Queen about sech things! Goodness knows, I'd never ha' thought o' troublin' President McKinley about patents!" Rebecca shook her head. "I'm blest ef I know the fust thing about it," she declared. "Ef you take my advice, you'll not bother Miss Elizabeth 'bout your old patents." At this moment the page returned. "Her Majesty awaits your Royal Highness within," he said, bowing deeply. Droop's jaws fell apart and his eyes opened wide. "Royal Highness!" he murmured. "Well, I've got to go now," said Rebecca, smiling at her friend's astonishment. "But don't you go 'way fer a while yet. I'll try an' get the Queen to let you in soon. I want to talk with you 'bout lots of things." In a moment she was gone, leaving Copernicus rooted to the floor and dumb with amazement. Someone touched his elbow and, turning, he saw Sir Percevall, with the light of triumph on his fat face. "Fortune's smiles have turned to mere laughter, my lad," he said, chuckling. "This American princess hath the Queen's good-will. How the fiend's name came you acquainted?" CHAPTER XIV