The princess broke off with a gasp

The fifth story in Told round the fire by the teenage Lorna is called 'The blind saint of Messalina'. This is the first illustration for the story. The text that accompanies this picture reads:

The princess broke off with a gasp - for the rose tree was in full bloom.
'Why!' she cried. 'there are roses on it.'
'May I touch them?' whispered little Michael.

No doubt this will all make sense when we have a chance to type up the whole story. Watch this space...