THE BROWN BEETLE UNDERTAKES A MISSION. 119

“Attend to my toilet,” commanded the im-
perious queen.

At this began the work of beautifying the
lovely queen. They carefully unfolded the
gauzy wings, that had become wet in the bath,
and spread them to their fullest expanse, that
they might dry evenly in the hot sun; but to
the first lady in waiting was given the care of
the delicate face. Daintily must she dry the
large and expressive eyes, of which the queen
was so proud; and she alone knew how to
powder the royal countenance with the pollen
of the fairest flowers.

In due time the queen’s toilet was completed
and her majesty pronounced faultlessly adorned.
Flying over the clearest part of the pool, she
glanced down at the image reflected there, and
surely the most exacting mistress could not
have failed to be satisfied with the work of
her handmaidens. Never were dragon-fly’s
wings gauzier or smoother. The beautiful
blue of her slender body actually glistened in
the sunshine, and the fragrant powder imparted
a bloom to her expressive countenance.

Giving a little nod of approval as reward to
her patient attendants, away flew the haughty