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A Toy Princess

no other bidding, ran at once to him, and putting her arms round his neck, gave him a sounding kiss.

His Majesty almost swooned, and all the courtiers shut their eyes and shivered.

“This is really!” said one.

“This is truly!” said another.

“What have I done?” cried Ursula, looking from one to another, and seeing that something was wrong, but not knowing what. “Have I kissed the wrong person?” On hearing which every one groaned.

“Come now,” cried Taboret, “if you don’t like her, I shall take her away to those who do. I'll give you a week, and then I’ll come back and see how you're treating her. She’s a great deal too good for any of you.” So saying she flew away: on her wand, leaving Ursula to get on with her new friends as best she might. But Ursula could not get on with them at all, as she soon began to see.

If she spoke or moved they looked shocked, and at last she was so frightened and troubled by them that she burst into tears, at which they were more shocked still.

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