One evening, after they had been some weeks on the island, the king told
his courtiers to prepare for a butterfly hunt, which he intended to have
the next day. Early on the morrow they all assembled at the palace,
attired in green and white, and each carrying an ivory rod, at the end
of which was a green net, with which to catch the butterflies. On
reaching the top of the staircase the little lords went to the
dressing-room of the king, and the little ladies to that of the queen.
Her majesty was dressed in white satin trimmed with green.
"Won't you wear your crown?" asked Rosetta.
"Well, I don't know," said the queen, in an undecided tone of voice.
"Ought I? Won't it be too heavy for the chase?"
"Oh, but kings and queens always wear their crowns when they go
out--don't they?" said Rosetta, appealing to her companions.
"Yes, yes; to be sure they do. Wear the crown--do wear the crown!" they
all cried, clapping their hands.
Pepitia did not require much persuasion on the subject, as she dearly
liked to be finely dressed. And, indeed, when she had put it on, and
also her velvet train lined with satin and trimmed with ermine, I must
confess she did look a charming young queen.
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