90 AUDREY.

swish of fine fairy robes, and the hum of fairy voices we would
think an incessant chirp.

“Then the music struck up. ‘Toot! toot! Ting! ting!
from the orchestra of frogs, beetles, and crickets.

“Then what a whirling, dipping, tripping back and forth!
what a light skimming of feet over the green grass!

“Only the mole had no partner, and stood disconsolately
listening to the merriment about him. Once, as Violet and the
moth swept by, he called ‘ Violet! Violet but she was gone in
a twinkling, and the bass-viols, drums, and guitars kept twang-
ing and banging. The moths fluttered around gayly, and the
flower-fairies in their dainty robes looked like floating moths.

“ All was going on finely, when suddenly came a soft whirr
of wings, and pouncing down came a large night-bird, who
seized the spotted moth in his beak and made off with him.

*“ At once the music stopped, for it was a bold and dreadful
thing for an enemy to enter the glen at suchatime. Even
the queen was aghast at such a daring act. It cast so deep a
gloom over the company that they soon betook themselves to
their different homes, some going this way, some that.

“Poor little Violet stood alone, drooping and wretched, but
presently the mole crept up to her and said, ‘ Dear Violet, I
will see you safely home; don’t be afraid.’ .

“She gladly put her hand in his, and they skimmed along
under the starlight till she was safe again in her own bower. |

“All summer long her most faithful attendant was that