"Advance, fair damsels," she said in her happy dream-voice, "and be seated at the banquet table.  My noble father, the king, who is absent on a long journey, has commanded me to feast you." She turned her head slightly toward the corner of the room. "What, ho, there, minstrels! Strike up with your viols and bassoons.  Princesses," she explained rapidly to Ermengarde and Becky, "always had minstrels to play at their feasts.  Pretend there is a minstrel gallery up there in the corner. Now we will begin."