THE MYSTERIES OF THE 

 FLOWERS 



CHAPTER I 



INTRODUCTION 



HEN an imaginative child is 

 born the Golden Age returns to 

 fling its glamour over all earthly 

 things. Fairies and all the little 

 people of the mystic realm reawaken 

 from their long sleep, infest once more 

 the woods and dells, abide as of old in 

 all the myriad flowers, and resume their 

 sway over the insect world. Old legends 

 become new truths in their telling, old magic 

 renews its force and charm. 



It is neither a fortunate nor a happy state 

 to be an only and a lonely child. I remember 

 many dreary autumn days when I used to 



