And in the next number of the county paper it was announced, to Somerset's comparative satisfaction, that the cast was definitely settled, Mr.Mild having agreed to be the King and Miss Power the French Princess.

Captain De Stancy, with becoming modesty for one who was the leading spirit, figured quite low down, in the secondary character of Sir Nathaniel.
Somerset remembered that, by a happy chance, the costume he had designed for Sir Nathaniel was not at all picturesque; moreover Sir Nathaniel scarcely came near the Princess through the whole play.
Every day after this there was coming and going to and from the castle of railway vans laden with canvas columns, pasteboard trees, limp house-fronts, woollen lawns, and lath balustrades.

There were also frequent arrivals of young ladies from neighbouring country houses, and warriors from the X and Y batteries of artillery, distinguishable by their regulation shaving.
But it was upon Captain De Stancy and Mrs.Camperton that the weight of preparation fell.

Somerset, through being much occupied in the drawing-office, was seldom present during the consultations and rehearsals: until one day, tea being served in the drawing-room at the usual hour, he dropped in with the rest to receive a cup from Paula's table.

The chatter was tremendous, and Somerset was at once consulted about some necessary carpentry which was to be specially made at Markton.