"It is too marvellous, too delightful for words!" she exclaimed.
The little old lady smiled graciously.
"I knew you would say so," she replied. "Well, now, I can extend this magical power to you, on two conditions. You must keep the secret, absolutely and entirely, and you must do your own work perfectly. There must be no untidiness or hurry-scurry; you must never leave things behind, or tear or crumple them—if so, your carelessness will bring its own punishment, for it would prevent the spell's working, and even I—fairy or witch as you think me——"
"No, no," Clodagh interrupted eagerly, "not witch. You are too kind and charming to be that."
"Ah, well, we can leave aside the question of what or who I am. The point is what I can do, and what I cannot. And counteract the working or not working of the spell if the rules are broken, is beyond my power."
"But I will keep them," exclaimed Clodagh. "That is to say, I will do my very best to be most neat and methodical. Granny trained me to be neat. And I will keep the secret; that I promise, only——" and her face fell as a sudden idea disconcerted her.
"What?"
"If Paulina suspects anything? If she notices, and thinks there is something strange about it all?"
Cousin Felicity smiled.
"I will see to that. You need not be afraid. If you fulfil your part, you will have no trouble, as regards Paulina or any one else. Come now—I will go with you to your rooms to explain all, before any one is about. But first—close your eyes for a moment. Yes——" and when Clodagh opened them, there stood the trunk again, as she had first seen it!