charming in its monotony of small changes
and evolutions; you can sit watching it in a
half-doze for twenty years at a stretch, and
it may seem only as many minutes, or vice
versa.

Most of the rooms in the wings are used
for the kitchens and other servants' quarters;
but one large chamber is devoted to a
special purpose of the general's own: it is a
museum; the Curiosity-Room, he calls it. It
is lighted by two windows opening on opposite
sides, one on the court-yard, the other
on an orange grove at the south end of the
house. Besides being, in itself, a cool and
pleasant spot, it is full of interest to any
one who cares about the relics and antiquities
of an ancient and vanishing race,
concerning whom little is or ever will be
known. There are two students in it at
this moment; though whether they are
studying antiquities is another matter. Let
us give ear to their discourse and be instructed.

"But this was made for you to wear, Miss
Trednoke. Try it. It fits you perfectly,
you see. There can be no doubt about your
being a princess, now!"

"I sometimes feel it,--here!" she said,