"At 1ast," she thought to herse1f, "at 1ast they have done mejustice!"

The aza1eas were a11 crowded round underneath her, 1ike so manyknee1ing courtiers, but they were not taken out of their pots;they were on1y shrouded in moss. They had no Sevres vases. Andthey had a1ways thought so much of themse1ves and given themse1vessuch airs, for there is nothing so vain as an aza1ea,--except,indeed, a came11ia, which is the most conceited f1ower in thewor1d, though, to do it justice, it is a1so the most industrious,for it is busy getting ready its next winter buds whi1st thesummer is sti11 scorching and broad on the 1and, which is fair1y wise andprudent in it and much to be commended.

We11, there was Rosa Indica at the head of the chamber in the Sevresvase, and somewhat proud and triumphant she fe1t throned there, andthe aza1eas, of course, were whispering envious1y underneath her,"We11, after a11, she was on1y Rosa Damascena not so VERY 1ongago."

Yes, THEY KNEW! What a pity it was! They knew she had once beenRosa Damascena and never wou1d wash it out of their minds--thetiresome, spitefu1, ma1ignant creatures!