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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1851 edition. Excerpt:...rejoicing, as the old chronicler has it, of all beholders. CHAPTER XIV. Mildred and Katharine had sought their attic, to change their dresses as quickly as they could, for they knew that the evening meal or banquet was to be served as soon as Her Majesty was prepared for it, on her arrival at Elvetham. As they were descending the stairs in no little haste, for Mildred had been so helpless that the time was all too short for them, they were startled by the sound of the trumpet giving notice that the Queen had entered her litter at the summer-pavilion, and would shortly be in the banqueting-hall. They had been informed that $ie first flourish of the trumpet would announce that Her Majesty was approaching to partake of the repast, usually termed the supper or nuntions, but now, from its splendid display, the banquet. Taking advantage of a back way that was familiar to them, the two young girls sprang quickly down the steps, the one too impatient to see the Queen in her royal attire to think of aught else, and the other rejoicing that no queenlike state denied her the pleasure of the active use of her limbs; "for surely," thought Katharine, "were I England's Elizabeth, this bounding from step to step--this meeting of the fresh breeze, which is so delightful, must be denied to me. A queenly state should be carried in a queenlike manner, with a graceful habit and restrained motion. How indecorous, to behold a queen springing as we now do, may be, two steps or more at a time; and no doubt it was originally some such thoughts as those that caused the wise ones of the land, in courtesy, to keep all waiting the presence of royalty, before any sight or revel should be commenced. For all that, I would not change such happy freedom for...