126 BEYOND VHiE BLUE MOUNTAINS.

Convolyulus led her through the cottage to a large bedroom at
one end.

Here a simple white dress lay upon the bed, and a crown
made of ivy-leaves was placed upon it.

In a moment Primrose found her dirty torn clothes removed,
and a floating white soft robe reaching from her neck to her little
pink toes.

“There, darling, how lovely you look!” said Convolvulus.
“Now let me comb out that glistening golden hair. How I long
even for one piece! May I not have one tiny lock, Primrose?”

“No!” said Primrose, suddenly recollecting herself, and feeling as
if a rude shake had been given to her little body, and as if a mist had
fallen from her eyes; “no, please, Convolvulus, not even one hair out
of my head.”

“Very well, my child,” said Convolvulus, in the saddest of voices ;
“put the ivy crown over those flowing locks, and let us go downstairs.
You are the prettiest of all the children; you are even prettier than
dear little Buttercup. Come and let me show you to my sisters. How
they will love to welcome you!”

Primrose again gave her hand to Convolvulus. They went down
the narrow stairs of the cottage, and then along a cool underground
passage, until they found themselves in a long low hall which had a
polished floor and was wreathed about with flowers, and was evidently
arranged for a great dance.

Some beautiful fairy-like women were walking about this room,
and twining their arms round each other and gently laughing. Their
laughter was sweeter than silver bells.

When they saw Primrose led into the room by Convolvulus they
ul came up and praised her, and bade her welcome.

“Only that wreath of ivy is not pretty enough for her,” said one of
the sisters. ‘‘ Here are pink roses, let me put these round her head.”
As the sister spoke she snatched up a lovely little crown made of pink
moss rose-buds, and brought it up to Primrose.

“There, darling, wear it,” she said, “it will become you better
than the ivy.”