DEDICATED TO
MY LITTLE WITCH MARIE. Where she's been the sunshine lingers,
She's my witch and she's my mouse;
She has helpful, fairy fingers,
Busy keeper of the house.
She is tricksy and she's elfish;
Sure no plague could e'er be worse;
She is thoughtful and unselfish,
She's my gentle angel-nurse.
All their jokes the brownies lend her,
She's a merry, mischief thing;
But her heart is very tender—
She's a Daughter of the King.
Yes, there's something nice about her,
And I'll love her till my death;
No, I could not do without her—
I'm her ma, Elizabeth.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTERPAGE
Introduction,[9]
I.Boarding-School Scrapes, [11]
II.Guinevere's Gown, [30]
III.The Princess, [50]
IV.Court Life, [63]
V.Little Prince del Paradiso, [79]
VI.Mrs. Hetterman Throws Light on theMystery, [90]
VII.Winnie's Confession, [109]
VIII.The Elder Brother and Mrs. Halsey'sStrange Story, [123]
IX.The King's Daughters and the VenetianFête, [139]
X.The Landlord of Rickett's Court, [162]
XI.The Guests of the Elder Brother, [189]
XII.With the Dynamiters, [212]
XIII.The King's Daughters in the Country, [225]
XIV.Over the Hills and Far Away, [246]
XV.The Estates del Paradiso, [302]

INTRODUCTION.

It is but just to explain that, while all of the characters introduced in this little story are purely imaginary, the founding of the Home of the Elder Brother was suggested by the work of some real children, younger than Madame's pupils, who gave a little fair, and, helped by charitable people, instituted a lovely charity, the Messiah Home for Little Children, at 4 Rutherford Place, New York City. This Home still opens its doors to the children of working-women, and is helped by different circles of King's Daughters, some of whom have adopted children to clothe. It is a beautiful work, founded by children for children, and it is hoped that others all over the land will join in it, and that the work may broaden until no such dens as Rickett's Court will remain in our fair city or country.

E. W. C.