98 BEYOND THE BLUE MOUNTAINS.

“Don’t you remember this hat ?” asked Primrose, tears springing
to her eyes, “the hat that mother trimmed just before she went

away.”
“TJ don’t remember anything about it,” said Buttercup; ‘and
who was mother? Mother! I can’t recall ever having had a

mother.”

At these words poor little Primrose burst into a flood of bitter
tears.

“Oh,” she said, “you will break my heart, Buttercup! Oh, I am
so frightened and so miserable! ”

“What is it, my love?” said Moonlight. ‘“ Dry your tears, my
dear, there is nothing to be afraid of. Now we are all ready to go
downstairs to our feast, and I think we all look charming, and fit for
the splendid time which is before us. I have good news for you, my
children; there is to be a royal ball to-night held in the King’s
palace, and I have been fortunate enough to secure an invitation for
each of you.”

“Oh, hurrah! hurrah!” shouted the children.

“There are no end of toys to be given away in the King’s
palace,” continued Moonlight, “and no end of delicious fruit,
and cakes, and sweetmeats to be eaten; but now let us come
downstairs, for I know you must each and all of you be very
hungry. Primrose, my child, would you not like to leave that
ugly hat on your bed? You can fetch it again whenever you
wish.”

“No, thank you,” said Primrose; “I would rather wear it,-
please.”

“ Well, come then, let us all go downstairs.”

Moonlight walked on in front and the children followed her.

The stairs were broad and winding, and made of white marble.
The children ran down them gaily, shouting and singing as they
went; but Primrose, whose heart felt like lead, followed the others
slowly. She was conscious as she did so of a very queer sensation : it
was this—as she set her foot on each of these firm-looking marble
stairs, it seemed to give way under her.