Page:The Complete Works of William Makepeace Thackeray Vol.20.pdf/225

Rh in her pocket, you may fancy what airs she gave herself. She was ready to flounce out of the room before the Queen herself, as now she was the wife of the rightful King of Paflagonia! She would not speak to Glumboso, whom she thought a brute, for depriving her dear husband of the crown! And when candles came, and she had helped to undress the Queen and Princess, she went into her own room, and actually practised, on a sheet of paper, “Griselda Paflagonia,” “Barbara Regina,” “Griselda Barbara, Paf. Reg.,” and I don’t know what signatures besides, against the day when she should be Queen forsooth!

Betsinda came in to put Gruffanuff’s hair in papers, and the Countess was so pleased, that, for a wonder, she complimented Betsinda.

“Betsinda!” she said, “you dressed my hair very nicely to-day; I promised you a little present. Here are five sh—no, here is a pretty little ring that I picked—that I have had some time.” And she gave Betsinda the ring she had picked up in the court. It fitted Betsinda exactly.

“It’s like the ring the Princess used to wear,” says the maid.

“No such thing,” says Gruffanuff; “I have had it this ever so long. There—tuck me up quite comfortable: and now, as it’s a very cold night” (the snow was beating in at the window), “you may go and warm dear Prince Giglio’s bed, like a good girl, and