<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i119.png" width-obs="201" height-obs="247" alt="L" title="L" /></div>
<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2>
<p class="st">WHAT HAPPENED IN THE
THRONE-ROOM</p>
<p class="cap"><span class="upper">Led</span> by Queen Titania, Dame Drusilda,
Violet, and Daffodil, the
strange guests, who had come to
the wedding without an invitation,
mounted the spacious marble steps and passed into the
palace.</p>
<p>In spite of a meek, respectful demeanor that it was very
hard for them to assume, they could not conceal the gloating
satisfaction that was on their faces.</p>
<p>In the meantime the Brownies and fairies were already beginning
to enjoy themselves in different parts of the palace
grounds.</p>
<p>Introductions are hardly necessary when sprites meet, and
many found ways of getting acquainted, and were warm friends
on their first meeting.</p>
<p>Having no suspicion of what was in the evil minds of those<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</SPAN></span>
she was preparing so hospitably to entertain, Titania with her
companions ushered them into the magnificent banquet-room.</p>
<p>There upon one of the long tables were spread many delicacies
to make one’s mouth water, and, even before an invitation
to partake of them could be extended, the four red imps seated
themselves before it, and, smacking their lips, began to tuck
napkins under their chins.</p>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i120.png" width-obs="396" height-obs="338" alt="Eating imps" title="" /></div>
<p>Titania had thought that the guests would leave the presents
they had brought out in the hall when they came in, but
they still held on to them with a grip so tenacious that she wondered
if they really meant to give them up, after all.</p>
<p>Nevertheless in a free-hearted way she urged the visitors to<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</SPAN></span>
refresh themselves. The imps were already engaged in trying
to stuff whole plum puddings into their mouths at once, a greedy
proceeding that Dame Drusilda, Violet, and Daffodil watched
with considerable disgust.</p>
<p>All but the leader started quickly to seat themselves, but he
stamped his foot imperiously, and they came to an instant stop.</p>
<p>Then he threw back the hood of his scarlet cloak, disclosing
a wicked face, and transfixed Titania with his malicious gaze.</p>
<p>“I am Dragonfel the enchanter, my fine little lady,” he said,
in fiendish tones, “and I have come to take you away with me!”</p>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i121.png" width-obs="448" height-obs="337" alt="Take you away" title="" /></div>
<p>Titania was so frightened that she could neither scream nor
run away, and she allowed him to gather her up in his arms and<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</SPAN></span>
hold her just as a little girl does a doll, making light of load.</p>
<p>There she lay passive and trembling, with the realization
that it would be useless to make any effort to escape.</p>
<p>Almost immediately afterward Grouthead seized the biting,
scratching, and clawing Dame Drusilda, whom he dumped in
spite of fierce resistance into the baby’s crib, and when Mandrake
and Wolfinger put Violet and Daffodil in after her it
was very plain why this particular gift had been selected.</p>
<p>“Yes, and you’re not going to get these presents, either,”
sneered Dragonfel to Titania, who said never a word. “You
may call me an Injun-giver, if you like, but I mean to take
them back, just the same!”</p>
<p>With Titania helpless in his arms he started toward a rear
door, while after him came Grouthead and Wolfinger bearing
the crib in which Dame Drusilda, Violet, and Daffodil rattled
about like dried peas in a pod. The others followed slowly and
reluctantly in their wake, casting longing glances backward at
the tempting-looking desserts on the table.</p>
<p>The imps, however, did not budge, but continued eating.
When Dragonfel called out to them in angry tones they sprang
up and attempted at the same time to jam charlotte russe into
their gaping mouths.</p>
<p>In their frantic haste they smeared the charlotte or russe,
whichever the white part is, all over their faces, so that as
they hurried after the others with occasional frisky somersaults
they looked as though they had just been lathered by a
barber.</p>
<p>Out by the rear all passed into the deserted back-garden
where there was a small iron door locked and bolted from the
inside, and with the key, fortunately for their nefarious plans,
in the lock.<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>Through this door Dragonfel and his followers effected their
escape with their captives, and ran with all possible speed toward
the sea-shore.</p>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i122.png" width-obs="459" height-obs="375" alt="Escape with their captives" title="" /></div>
<p>The galleon tossed upon the lazy swell, not a great distance
out, and in a small boat with Snoutpimple and Boundingbore
at the oars they rowed to it, and soon were on board.</p>
<p>Then the anchor was weighed, and with all sails filling they
set their course for Dragonfel’s enchanted country, which they
reached without mishap of any kind.<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>When they got to their journey’s end, and all stood safe upon
the shore, the full malignity of Dragonfel was shown.</p>
<p>Realizing that the indomitable Brownies would not relinquish
Titania without a struggle, but would follow as quickly
as they could to wrest her if possible from him, he ordered
Vulcan’s imps to call upon their master to impede them with
a storm.</p>
<p>The imps thereupon cast balls of fire into the air, and, even
as all bent their steps toward the palace, the enchanter noted
with considerable satisfaction quite a change
in the temperature.
Clouds were already
beginning
to form
on the
horizon,
and there came the distant rumble of continuous thunder.</p>
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<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>While they stood just outside the massive doors they heard
the sounds of what appeared to be a violent altercation from
within. In an agitated manner, as though he feared the worst,
Dragonfel quickly threw them open, and was greatly relieved
to see the Demon Usher and Red Spirit engaged in a friendly
game of checkers.</p>
<p>“You cheated!” the Red Spirit accused hotly. “You jumped
three of my men when you should have only jumped two!”</p>
<p>“Stop it!” snarled Dragonfel at them. “You don’t know
how to play checkers, anyhow!”</p>
<p>They sprang in consternation to their feet, upsetting the
board, and causing the checkers to roll all over the floor.</p>
<p>While the Red Spirit stood gloating over the success of a
venture in which he had played a modest part, the Demon Usher
half skipped, half flew, to the throne, and with a display of much
enthusiasm began dusting off the seat with a cloth.</p>
<p>With swaggering stride Dragonfel went to the throne, and
threw himself in it, while Queen Titania, Dame Drusilda, Violet,
and Daffodil all came running toward him.</p>
<p>“Oh, sir,” cried Dame Drusilda, very much distressed, “why
have you brought us poor, defenseless girls here?”</p>
<p>“Us, my venerable fairy!” said Dragonfel, most insultingly.</p>
<p>“Venerable!” repeated Dame Drusilda. “Oh, you nasty
man!”</p>
<p>“How do you keep your age?” he sneered.</p>
<p>“Easy enough,” she replied indignantly. “I never give it
away.”</p>
<p>As she spoke she made for him as though she meant to
scratch his eyes out, but Queen Titania pulled her back.</p>
<p>“Don’t touch him, Dame Drusilda!” she cried, and then
turned pleadingly to Dragonfel. “Why have you made me a<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</SPAN></span>
prisoner, and carried me away from home in this way?”</p>
<p>“To prevent your marriage to the Brownie prince,” he said
coldly.</p>
<p>“But we love each other, and would be so happy,” she said,
while tears filled her pretty eyes. “Why do you oppose the
marriage?”</p>
<p>“Because if this marriage were to take place,” he said, with
an ugly frown, “it would make you all so powerful as to result
in my undoing.”</p>
<p>“You fear,” she said reprovingly, “that we will frustrate all
your wicked plans.”</p>
<p>“It must not, shall not be!” was his decided response. “The
Brownies and fairies have long been my enemies.”</p>
<p>“If you did good,” she reminded, gently, “we would be your
friends. Tell me, must I stay here always?”</p>
<p>“Yes, always!” he snapped out. “The sooner you forget
your Brownie prince the better. You shall never see him
again.”</p>
<p>Then Titania showed her spirit.</p>
<p>“Oh, yes, I shall!” she contradicted. “The Brownies will
rescue us!”</p>
<p>“Bah!” he said contemptuously. “Those poor, weak creatures
of the night? They could not do it.”</p>
<p>“The Brownies can do anything,” she said, with perfect trust
and confidence.</p>
<p>“My pretty pet,” said Dame Drusilda, “you waste words with
him. Let us ask some of these other creatures to help us.
Maybe they are not as bad as their master.”</p>
<p>So she coquettishly sidled up to Grouthead, Boundingbore,
Mandrake, Wolfinger, and Snoutpimple who stood near by in a<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</SPAN></span>
highly interested group. But before she could say even a word
Grouthead gathered her up in his arms, and held her out in
the air, while in her fright she kept kicking the turned-in toes
of her tiny shoes together.</p>
<p>“Don’t be alarmed, my dear,” he croaked, in tones that were
meant to be reassuring. “There’s a heart here that beats for
you, and you alone!”</p>
<p>“Where’s the heart?” she gasped.</p>
<p>“In this troubled breast,” he roared. “I’ve half a mind to
marry you.”</p>
<p>“Put me down!” she screamed. “I wouldn’t marry anyone
with half a
mind!”</p>
</div>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i124.png" width-obs="309" height-obs="261" alt="Seabirds with compass" title="" /></div>
<p>Dragonfel rose,
and stamped his
foot angrily, at
which silent rebuke
Grouthead
set Dame Drusilda
hastily down.
She gave a sigh
of great relief,
and, gathering up
her skirts, flew
toward the enchanter.</p>
<p>“Oh, sir,” she implored, “can nothing move you?”</p>
<p>“Yes,” he said, in sneering tones, “a ton of dynamite! You
are a pippin, but you withered on the stem!”</p>
<p>“You villain!” she screamed, shaking a tiny clenched fist at<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</SPAN></span>
him. “I could annihilate you for that; you deserve worse!”</p>
<p>And she made for him again, but the tactful Violet and Daffodil
grasped each of her arms, and held her back.</p>
<p>Dragonfel grinned most provokingly, and his myrmidons
fairly shook with glee, while the Demon Usher cackled his exultation,
and poked the Red Spirit on his elastic ribs.</p>
<p>Titania took a little spider-web affair of a handkerchief from
her bodice, for her eyes threatened to fill again.</p>
<p>Noting the coming tears, the wicked enchanter hastened
to say, in tones that were meant to be particularly comforting:</p>
<p>“No harm shall befall you. When you have a wish you
have but to name it.”</p>
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<p>“I have one now,” spoke up
Titania quickly.</p>
<p>“So have I,” added Dame
Drusilda.</p>
<p>“I’ll hear
yours later,”
said
Dragonfel
to the latter
gruffly, and
then turned
to Titania
with what he thought was a most winning smile. “What is
yours?”</p>
<p>“I want my Brownie prince!”</p>
<p>“Didn’t I tell you you were never going to see him again?”
said the enchanter, in disgust. “Ask me something else, and
make it as hard as you can.”<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>But Titania had no other wish, and Dame Drusilda was given
no opportunity to make hers known.</p>
<p>The days dragged slowly by, and, though Dragonfel was not
actually rough in the treatment of his captives, he still was most
unkind in depriving them of the liberty for which they continually
sighed. They were watched and spied upon continually,
so there was little or no chance for escape.</p>
</div>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i126.png" width-obs="447" height-obs="261" alt="Amusement" title="" /></div>
<p>He endeavored to provide amusements for which they had no
heart, and was a sorry host at best. In his crude efforts to entertain
them he welcomed all ideas for sports and diversions,
so when on one occasion they were all together, and his prisoners
seemed unusually depressed, he sat upon his throne
knitting his brows in trying to think of something that might
cheer them up a bit.</p>
<p>In the midst of his unsuccessful cogitations the Demon Usher<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</SPAN></span>
half skipped, half flew, to him, and prostrated himself at his
feet.</p>
<p>“Kind master!” he cried, in a flutter of excitement.</p>
<p>“What is it?” asked Dragonfel.</p>
<p>“A band of wandering minstrels outside humbly crave permission
to play before you.”</p>
<p>“What, another?” said Dragonfel. “Show them in!”</p>
<p>The words he used were hospitable enough, but the tone of
his voice boded little good for the daring musicians.</p>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i127.png" width-obs="226" height-obs="237" alt="U" title="U" /></div>
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