The Young Queens 



accepted by her people ; but she will not 

 truly reign over them, or be treated as was 

 her mother before her, until the nuptial 

 flight be accomplished; for until she be 

 impregnated the bees will hold her but 

 lightly, and render most passing homage. 

 Her history, however, will rarely be as un- 

 eventful as this, for the bees will not often 

 renounce their desire for a second swarm. 

 In that case, as before, quick with the 

 same desires, the queen will approach the 

 royal cells ; but instead of meeting with 

 docile servants who second her efforts, 

 she will find her path blocked by a 

 numerous and hostile guard. In her fury, 

 and urged on by her fixed idea, she will 

 endeavour to force her way through, or to 

 outflank them ; but everywhere sentinels 

 are posted to protect the sleeping prin- 

 cesses. She persists, she returns to the 

 charge, to be repulsed with ever increasing 

 severity, to be somewhat roughly handled 

 '7 257 



