So the younger ones repaired to the drawing-room, for what seemed a weary time of waiting.  Nora expressed her entire disapprobation of being shut out from all the fun of the dressing; she wanted to see that.  She then declared that it would be impossible to shew all the twelve pictures that evening, if it took so long to get ready for one.  However, the time was past at length; the signal was given; the lights in the drawing-room were put down, till the room was very shadowy indeed; and then, amid the breathless hush of expectation, the curtain that hung over the doorway of the library was drawn back.

The children thought it was fairy-land.

Frederica Fish sat there facing the company, quaintly dressed in antique costume; and before her knelt on one knee two grand-looking personages, very richly attired, presenting a gilt crown upon a satin cushion.  Lady Jane Grey and the lords who came to offer her the kingdom The draperies were exceedingly well executed and did Mrs. Sandford great credit.  They were the picture.

“Isn’t she beau-tiful!” Nora exclaimed under her breath.

“Isn’t it like a picture!” said Daisy.

“How funnily those boys kneel and twist themselves round!” said Jane.  “Who are they?”

“Daisy, wouldn’t you like to be dressed every day like that?” said Nora.

“I don’t think it would be convenient,” said Daisy.  “I think a white frock is nicer.”

“O but it makes people look so handsome!  Frederica looks like—­she is a real beauty!  I should like to be dressed so.  Daisy, don’t you suppose queens and ladies, like those in the pictures, are always dressed so?”

“I suppose they put on nightgowns when they go to bed,” said Ella Stanfield soberly.  “They can’t always be dressed so.”

“O but, I mean, when they are up.  And I dare say they wear beautiful nightgowns—­Daisy, don’t you think they do?  I dare say they have splendid lace and ribands; and you can make a white dress very handsome, if you put plenty of lace and ribands.”

“O it’s gone!” exclaimed Jane and Ella.  The curtain had fallen.  The company clapped their hands and cheered.

“What’s that for?” said Nora.

“That means that they like it, I suppose,” said Daisy.  “You will have to go now, Nora, I know.  Little Red Riding-Hood comes next.  Come—­we’ll all go.”

“Horrid Little Red Riding-Hood!” said Nora.  “I hate that picture!”

“Why do you hate it?”

“Because!—­It is nothing but a red hood.”

Mrs. Sandford’s bell sounded.

“O Daisy!” said Nora as they went, “won’t you get them to leave Esther to the last?  They will do whatever you ask them.  Do!”

“Why, Nora?”

“O because!—­”