usual powdered heads and non-descript things people chose for such
impromptu occasions. It only remained to finally decide the characters.
She considered that Ethelrida should undoubtedly be _Guinevere_; but,
above all, Zara must be _Isolt_!

"Of course, of course!" they all cried unanimously, while Zara's eyes
went black. "_Tristram_ and _Isolt_! How splendid!"

"And I shall be _Brangaine_, and give the love potion," Lady Anningford
went on. "Although it does not come into the 'Idylls of the King,' it
should do so. It is just because Tennyson was so fearfully, respectably
Early Victorian! I have been looking all the real thing up in the 'Morte
d' Arthur' in the library, and in the beautiful edition of 'Tristram
and Yseult' in Ethelrida's room."

"How perfectly enchanting!" cried Lady Betty. "I must be the _Lady of
the Lake_--it is much the most dramatic part. And let us get the big
sword out of the armory for _Excalibur_! I can have it, and brandish it
as I enter the room."

"Oh, nonsense, Betty darling!" Ethelrida said. "You are the very picture
of _Lynette_, with your enchanting nose 'tiptilted like the tender petal
of a flower,' and your shameful treatment of poor Jimmy!"

And Lady Betty, after bridling a little, consented.

Then the other parts were cast. Emily should be _Enid_ and Mary,
_Elaine_, while Lady Melton, Lady Thornby and Mrs. Harcourt should be
the _Three Fair Queens_.