She then took the tray and retired.
“Now, then,” said her majesty, as she poured some amber-colored liquid from the decanter, “to begin with, I want you to tell me your name.”
This Dick promptly did, and then, following the example of his fair hostess, placed the beverage she had poured from the decanter to his lips.
It had such a peculiar, exhilarating taste that he drained the cup at a single gulp.
Of all the wines he had ever drunk, that certainly was the best.
That it was intoxicating, he knew, for the moment he had swallowed it a sort of dreamy feeling of the deepest content came over him, and he settled back upon the divan and gazed into the face of the lovely creature before him with a listless smile upon his countenance.
“Do you think you will ever want to leave this land?” asked Queen Olive, as she took a seat before him.
“No,” returned Dick; “never—as long as you remain here.”
Instead of becoming offended at this speech, a look of pleasure came over her face.
“Why? Am I more beautiful than the ladies of your own country?” she asked.