We rushed into it, scampered all over it, and
made up our minds in a moment that it would do. We amused ourselves in
the nursery first, where there were several children being dressed for
dinner. We generally do go to the nursery first, your majesty. This
time we were especially charmed with a little girl about five years
old, who clapped her hands and danced about with delight at the antics
we performed; and we said we would do something for her if we had a
chance. The company began to arrive; and at every arrival we rushed to
the hall, and cut wonderful capers of welcome. Between times we scudded
away to see how the dressing went on. One girl about eighteen was
delightful. She dressed herself as if she did not care much about it,
but could not help doing it prettily. When she took her last look at
the phantom in the glass, she half smiled to it.--But _we_ do not like
those creatures that come into the mirrors at all, your majesty. We
don't understand them. They are dreadful to us.--She looked rather sad
and pale, but very sweet and hopeful. So we wanted to know all about
her, and soon found out that she was a distant relation and a great
favourite of the gentleman of the house, an old man, in whose face
benevolence was mingled with obstinacy and a deep shade of the
tyrannical. We could not admire him much; but we would not make up our
minds all at once: Shadows never do.
"The dinner-bell rang, and down we hurried.
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