36 BEYOND THE BLUE MOUNTAINS.

whether it is the right road for you to take, use the magnifying glass
to look at the King’s map with. Use the glass, too, when people
speak to you whose faces you are not quite sure about. If they are
really good people, the glass will make them look still more beautiful,
but if they are ugly and bad people, with just a covering of pretended
goodness put over them, then you will be able to see through them
with this wonderful glass. In short, I could not make you a more
valuable present. Be sure you don’t lose it, Clover.”

Clover thanked Faith very much, and put the little case into his
pocket.

“You could not possibly have given me anything I should like
better,” he said; “I am very much obliged to you.”

« And this is my present to you both,” said Charity. ‘ Perhaps
you won't think much of it, and you will wonder what possible good
it is going to do you when you go forward on your journey. Never-
theless it is a valuable present, and when the King sees you in the
country beyond the Mountains, he will know by the look on both
your foreheads that I have given it to you.” With these words she
stooped down and kissed each child.

Tt was wonderful what a delightful and curious thrill went through
them after Charity had kissed them. A warm glow seemed to rush
through both their little hearts. Clover looked at Cowslip as if he had
never really known what love for his little sister meant before. He
felt that he would die rather than let the smallest bit of harm come to
her. And Cowslip, as she looked up at her big brave brother, thought
“ Surely there never was such a noble fellow as dear Clover. What a
lucky girl I am to have him with me,” she thought. ‘As we are
travelling together to the country beyond the Mountains I need not
possibly fear danger.”

Then the children left the palace, and started forwardon theirjourney.

It was a beautiful morning, and the dew lay over everything.
They had been so refreshed by their pleasant stay with the three
sisters, that Cowslip felt inclined to run and skip. She could not walk
quietly and soberly. She was in the highest spirits—laughing and
chatting merrily.