understand there is no natural way to make glass under water."

"No indeed," said Cap'n Bill. And then he asked, "Does your queen
live here?"

"Yes. She is waiting now, in her throne room, to welcome you. Shall
we go in?"

"I'd just as soon," replied Trot rather timidly, but she boldly
followed the princess, who glided through another arch into another
small room where several mermaids were reclining upon couches of
coral. They were beautifully dressed and wore many sparkling jewels.

"Her Majesty is awaiting the strangers, Princess Clia," announced
one of these. "You are asked to enter at once."

"Come, then," said Clia, and once more taking Trot's hand, she led
the girl through still another arch, while Merla followed just
behind them, escorting Cap'n Bill. They now entered an apartment so
gorgeous that the child fairly gasped with astonishment. The queen's
throne room was indeed the grandest and most beautiful chamber in
all the ocean palaces. Its coral walls were thickly inlaid with
mother-of-pearl, exquisitely shaded and made into borders and floral
decorations. In the corners were cabinets, upon the shelves of which
many curious shells were arranged, all beautifully polished. The
floor glittered with gems arranged in patterns of flowers, like a
brilliant carpet.

Near the center of the room was a raised platform of mother-of-pearl
upon which stood a couch thickly studded with diamonds, rubies,