THE WHITE PALACE. 141

~“ But I don’t even see the Blue Mountains,” said Primrose.

‘No, my love,” replied Iris; ‘‘ nevertheless, the dangerous time is
nearly at anend. The King has many ways of taking his servants over
these mountains. Some have to walk step after step to the -very end
of the way, others arrive at the King’s country by a much shorter
road.”

“ Do you mean to say,” exclaimed Primrose, her eyes glowing as
bright as stars, “that we shall reach the country beyond the Mountains
to-day—that I shall see my mother to-day 2”

Tris bowed her lovely head; she did not speak: she looked like a
tall and dazzlingly fair lily.

“Oh!” said Primrose, the tears suddenly rushing to her happy
eyes, “it is too good news, and yet it is not quite perfect news either ;
for what about Buttercup ? ”

“Buttercup is safe,” replied Asphodel. “The King has given
special directions about him; itis your duty to trust my Lord the
King. Even a shadow of unhappiness or of fear ought not now to
visit your mind.”

“It shall not,” said Primrose. “Let me taste the honeycomb
and eat a morsel of the cake, and then please put the beautiful
white dress upon me, Iris.” .

Inis did as she was told; she dressed each of the children in long
dazzlingly fair white garments. These dresses hung straight down
from their necks to their feet, and were girdled round the waist with
a narrow silver band. When the children were dressed and Martha’s
dark hair had been combed out and brushed, and made to look as
fresh and nice as possible, and Primrose’s lovely tresses had been
brushed until they shone like gold itself, Asphodel came into the
room, and placed a narrow crown of white flowers on the head of each
child.

“ What flowers are these?” asked Primrose. ‘I don’t seem to
know them; they look something like liles, and yet they are not lilies
at least, not lilies that I havee ver seen.” :

“They come from the King’s country,” said Iris; “ they were sent
here this morning for you both to wear. These flowers never grow on