In almost no time Allan felt a hand on his shoulder, and a voice said, softly, "Allan, Allan, wake up, my man, and come and show me about the things."
Allan turned over, rubbed his dazed eyes, and then jumped straight up in bed, winking and blinking in wonder at what he saw. Standing beside his bed was a handsome lad, about his own size, in a scarlet velvet suit. The stranger was laughing merrily at his surprise, as he spoke again: "My good fellow, don't sit staring at me, but put on your doublet and the rest, and come on. We have not long to stay." At this, Allan glanced through the open door of Jessie's room, and there by her bed he saw in the moonlight the dainty little dame in the trailing satin. She was whispering to Jessie. In an instant the visitors vanished hand in hand through the doorway, and the children heard their soft footfalls on the stairway. "Prince Charlie! Princess Mary!" was all they said, but they fairly danced into their clothes, and then ran quickly down to the library; and when the door opened, what a strange sight met their astonished eyes! There was a famous fire in the grate, and by the bright blaze they saw Prince Charlie mounted, on the new velocipede, tugging at the bridle, and cracking his whip until it snapped again, but the queer steed moved not a pace. The little Princess sat holding Nannette—Jessie's French doll—speechless with delight. She turned the pretty head from side to side, she moved the arms and feet, she examined the tiny kid boots with their high heels. Then she admired the long gloves with no end of buttons, and the scrap of a bonnet, made of shreds of flower and feather in a wonderful way, and perched on a high tower of fluffy flossy hair.
"Do you like it, Princess Mary?" asked Jessie, most respectfully.
"Oh, it is bonny," was the answer; "so much prettier than any I ever saw. Is your father a great King, and does he have such wonderful dolls made for you?" she asked.
"Oh, dear me, no, Princess," said Jessie, hastily, and wanting very much to laugh. "My father is a great doctor, though. We have no Kings in our country."
"No Kings!" echoed the little lady, incredulously. "Who reigns, then? But do not say Princess every time; call me Mary. We must go back so soon, and I have a hundred questions to ask about so many strange things. We are very tired of looking at them from up there," glancing at the picture.
"Indeed, we have longed to get down close by you ever since we came," exclaimed the Prince. "I am sure you saw us smile at you last evening," he added.
"So I was right," cried Allan, joyfully. "I thought so;" and looking up to the picture, he saw the pretty spaniels quite alone against the rich drapery. They were huddled together in a lonely way, a silky heap of noses and paws. At Prince Charlie's voice one of them threw up his head for a dismal howl, but at a sign from his young master he patiently curled down to wait.
The Princess missed Jamie, and turned to look for him. There, in a corner on the floor, sat the baby Duke, in his sky-blue silk, dancing Jessie's droll Japanese "Ning-Ping" until the limp arms and legs fairly flew. He stopped a moment to look into the narrow sleepy eyes, and to touch the long braid that hung down behind, and the stiff little fringe, like a brush, on top of the queer head, and then again the legs and arms rattled a tune, while Jamie's round, solemn eyes seemed not even to wink, so intent and wondering was his look. In the mean time his stately sister held Nannette close in her arms, as she moved about, looking, listening, and questioning.
Just then Jamie called, softly, "Charlie! Charlie! Mary! come and see."