60 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF AN 



rushed forward until I was at the door of 

 the cell from which issued that ugly sound. 

 It was partly opened, but some Maids were 

 holding it so that its occupant could not 

 escape. I instantly saw that another Queen 

 Bee was in there! There could be no mis- 

 take. It was a regulation Queen cell, simi- 

 lar to the one in which I had been born. 

 Her voice was one of daring! It sounded 

 impudent, and to me was odious in the ex- 

 treme. My indignation knew no bounds. 

 I was first on the scene, an extended address 

 of royal welcome had been delivered to me 

 and I had already taken possession of the 

 colony palace. I reasoned that if I had 

 died in my cell there might be very good ex- 

 'cuse for having another Queen in readiness. 

 Precaution had doubtless been taken in view 

 of some possible accident to me, and I saw 

 the point to this measure. But now my 

 course was clear. I should and would toler- 

 ate no rival. I gave the order to tear her 

 cell down and to fall upon her. With mad- 

 ness that only an affronted Queen can in- 



