Part 17 (2/2)
While they stood just outside the ma.s.sive doors they heard the sounds of what appeared to be a violent altercation from within. In an agitated manner, as though he feared the worst, Dragonfel quickly threw them open, and was greatly relieved to see the Demon Usher and Red Spirit engaged in a friendly game of checkers.
”You cheated!” the Red Spirit accused hotly. ”You jumped three of my men when you should have only jumped two!”
”Stop it!” snarled Dragonfel at them. ”You don't know how to play checkers, anyhow!”
They sprang in consternation to their feet, upsetting the board, and causing the checkers to roll all over the floor.
While the Red Spirit stood gloating over the success of a venture in which he had played a modest part, the Demon Usher half skipped, half flew, to the throne, and with a display of much enthusiasm began dusting off the seat with a cloth.
With swaggering stride Dragonfel went to the throne, and threw himself in it, while Queen t.i.tania, Dame Drusilda, Violet, and Daffodil all came running toward him.
”Oh, sir,” cried Dame Drusilda, very much distressed, ”why have you brought us poor, defenseless girls here?”
”Us, my venerable fairy!” said Dragonfel, most insultingly.
”Venerable!” repeated Dame Drusilda. ”Oh, you nasty man!”
”How do you keep your age?” he sneered.
”Easy enough,” she replied indignantly. ”I never give it away.”
As she spoke she made for him as though she meant to scratch his eyes out, but Queen t.i.tania pulled her back.
”Don't touch him, Dame Drusilda!” she cried, and then turned pleadingly to Dragonfel. ”Why have you made me a prisoner, and carried me away from home in this way?”
”To prevent your marriage to the Brownie prince,” he said coldly.
”But we love each other, and would be so happy,” she said, while tears filled her pretty eyes. ”Why do you oppose the marriage?”
”Because if this marriage were to take place,” he said, with an ugly frown, ”it would make you all so powerful as to result in my undoing.”
”You fear,” she said reprovingly, ”that we will frustrate all your wicked plans.”
”It must not, shall not be!” was his decided response. ”The Brownies and fairies have long been my enemies.”
”If you did good,” she reminded, gently, ”we would be your friends. Tell me, must I stay here always?”
”Yes, always!” he snapped out. ”The sooner you forget your Brownie prince the better. You shall never see him again.”
Then t.i.tania showed her spirit.
”Oh, yes, I shall!” she contradicted. ”The Brownies will rescue us!”
”Bah!” he said contemptuously. ”Those poor, weak creatures of the night?
They could not do it.”
”The Brownies can do anything,” she said, with perfect trust and confidence.
<script>