many generations past, when the office of taster had
its perils, and was not a grandeur to be desired.
Why they did not use a dog or a plumber seems
strange; but all the ways of royalty are strange.
My Lord d'Arcy, First Groom of the Chamber, was
there, to do goodness knows what; but there he
was--let that suffice. The Lord Chief Butler was
there, and stood behind Tom's chair, overseeing the
solemnities, under command of the Lord Great
Steward and the Lord Head Cook, who stood near.
Tom had three hundred and eighty-four servants
besides these; but they were not all in that room, of
course, nor the quarter of them; neither was Tom
aware yet that they existed.

All those that were present had been well drilled
within the hour to remember that the prince was
temporarily out of his head, and to be careful to
show no surprise at his vagaries. These "vagaries"
were soon on exhibition before them; but they only
moved their compassion and their sorrow, not their
mirth. It was a heavy affliction to them to see the
beloved prince so stricken.

Poor Tom ate with his fingers mainly; but no one
smiled at it, or even seemed to observe it. He in-
spected his napkin curiously and with deep interest,
for it was of a very dainty and beautiful fabric, then
said with simplicity:

"Prithee, take it away, lest in mine unheedfulness
it be soiled."

The Hereditary Diaperer took it away with rever-
ent manner, and without word or protest of any
sort.

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