So the day wore on toward dusk, and, though to all the others, each hour seemed a minute, and each minute a second, Florimel and Titania in their impatience thought that it would never end, the very sun seemed to stand still, as upon Gibeon.
He had left the Brownies to their own devices to be with her, and while they talked of their union now so close at hand both were arrayed in their fine wedding-garb.
"Are you happy, Florimel?" she asked him, for the thousandth time.
"Happier than words can say," was his fervent response.
"And you're sure you'll never regret it?"
"Yes, positive, Titania. I wonder what's keeping King Stanislaus and the band. They ought to be here by this time."
"Oh, Florimel, my happiness would be complete were it not for the thought of Dragonfel." At the mention of the wicked enchanter's name he gave an involuntary start.
"We mustn't borrow trouble on his account," he said, trying to speak lightly. "He's across the sea where he can't hurt us. Let us think instead of our approaching happiness."
Then fairies came skipping and running from the palace, clapping their hands in sheer delight, cheering, and waving tiny handkerchiefs at a great rate. And windows gay with flags and bunting filled with flushed, eager, excited faces all looking out, while the Cupids were lifted up in arms so they could better see.
"The Brownies must be coming!" cried Florimel to Titania. "Let us go up on the palace-steps where we can get a view of them."
He gallantly offered her his arm, and escorted her to a position with the rest, from which they could obtain a glimpse of the road as it wound curving away, with the blue, dimpling sea beyond.
Down the road came the joyous band, with hearts attuned to merry-making, and never was a jollier procession.
Beasts and birds alike had freely offered their services toward making this grand entree as triumphantly imposing as possible, and in the long frisking, frolicking, cavorting line of march were lions, tigers, elephants, camels, zebras, ostriches, emus, cassowaries, and many other creatures of field, forest, and jungle, four-footed and two, whose backs bore willingly the burden of the gay, laughing sprites.
But Florimel could not see King Stanislaus among them, and was much puzzled thereat. When later they were gathered together, within the garden-walls, and the beasts and birds had gone away, after eating all the charlotte russe they could, he inquired the cause of His Majesty's absence.