THE MAGICAL KISS. 131

Patience still wore her dowdy grey dress, and her face was seamed
with many lines of care, long watching, and age. When she saw the
two children, however, enter the tent, such a glow of joy covered every
feature, that Primrose knew at last what she was worth.

“Oh!” she said, running up to her, and putting her arms round
her neck, “how could I ever have thought that wicked Convolvulus
more beautiful than you!”

“ Ah, my child!” replied Patience, “no one loves my face at first
sight, for I have no outward beauty, my dear; but I think—I do
humbly think—that it dwells in my heart.”

“I am sure it does,” said Primrose; “and I don’t know how to
thank you for what you have done for me. Please, kind Patience, this
is dear little Buttercup. Won’t you kiss him and make him
welcome ? ”

“T will certainly do that,” said Patience. “And now, my dear, I
must tell you that I have had a message from the King. A letter
arrived for me while you were away, and my Lord the King gave me
some special directions, which must be fully obeyed.”

“What are they?” asked Primrose. “Have they anything to do
with Buttercup and me?”

a They have more to do with Buttercup than with you,’ replied
Patience. “I am afraid in some ways, dear Primrose, the King’s
command will give you pain, but there is no help for it.”

“TI will obey him,” said Primrose; she stood erect, a feeling of
strength, love, and courage filled her heart. ‘Yes, I will obey the
King,” she replied, ‘“ What is it he wants me to do?”

Patience looked at her steadily.

“ You are to part from Buttercup,” she said. “He and I have to
go away together, and you, my child, must continue your journey to
the Blue Mountains alone.”

“ But I won’t leave you, Primrose,” said Buttercup, bursting into
tears, rushing up to his sister, and burying his curly head against her
neck; “I won’t—I can’t—leave you!”

“You must, my little boy,” said Patience; “the King’s orders
must be obeyed. You have behaved in a very silly way, and you will

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