suddenly interrupted in the midst of her play. Very ordinary make and
shape are these toys, such as you may see in any middle-class English
home, and each of them looking like favourites--judging from the signs
of much use they present.

Play-days are not yet over for the Queen, and doubtless she does not
wish to hasten their departure, for children are children all the world
over, whether born in palace or cottage. This particular one is not to
be envied by those of lower station, who have not the responsibility of
position ever looming in front of them--for she is shut away from many
youthful pleasures, and denied the constant companionship of those
suited to her age.

I heard a story that on one occasion, in playing with her dolls, she was
thus heard to speak to a supposed refractory one: "Now, be good and
quiet, because if you don't I will turn you into a Queen, and then you
will not have anyone to play with at all." That is sufficiently pathetic
to speak volumes of what it is to be born in the purple, as was
Wilhelmina of the Netherlands.

[Illustration: PAINTED FRIEZE ON MANTEL-PIECE IN DINING-ROOM.
_From a Photo. by Gunn & Stuart, Richmond_.]

The Hall of the Mosé is the next place I visit, used as the small dining
room of the Royal Family. Unfortunately, this is just undergoing
partial restoration, so no proper picture or description can be
obtained. I observe a painted ceiling, some marble columns of the Ionic
order, blue and gold furniture and hangings; and then some costly and
rare paintings, three in number.