At Orpah's casual remark, Akbad could not restrain a groan. However would he explain to the little ruler of all Oz his own foolish and deceitful conduct? Dropping heavily from the chandelier he bade the company good-night and made for the door, his wings flapping and dragging behind him. As he put out his hand to turn the knob, the door flew violently open and Jewlia burst into the room.
"A boat!" panted the little girl, throwing her apron over her head, "a boat is coming 'round Opal Point."
"It is Ozma!" exclaimed His Majesty, thumping the table with both fists. "Where are my spectacles, hand me my crown, spread the red rug and call out the Guard of Honor!"
Without waiting for any of these commands to be carried out, Cheeriobed plunged from the palace through the gardens and down to the shore of Lake Orizon. Orpah reached the beach almost as soon as His Majesty, followed closely by Toddledy and all the King's retainers. A little murmur of disappointment went up from the crowd as they stared in the direction indicated by Jewlia. A boat was rounding the point, but only a fisherman's dory. Opposite the man at the oars sat a closely wrapped figure and, as the boat came nearer, this figure arose, cast off the cloak and, standing erect, extended both arms.
"Why!" panted Jewlia, beginning to jump up and down, "it's the Queen—Queen Orin, herself!"
Queen Orin Returns
"The Queen! Long live the Queen!" roared the Ozure Islanders, wading out into the water in their surprise and excitement. Standing up in the shabby row-boat, as lovely and radiant as on the day Mombi had stolen her away, was the Queen of the Ozure Isles. Her jeweled crown glittered and flashed in the star light, her long fair hair tumbled in a bright shower of ringlets to her gold girdled waist. Her soft blue dress, studded with sapphires and pearls, floated out like a filmy blue cloud in the evening wind. Never had she appeared so young and beautiful. Head over tail, Orpah dove into the lake and began swimming out to the boat and only the strong arms of the Guardsmen kept Cheeriobed from diving after him.