The Gates of Paradise by Barbara Cartland

the night and it annoys your husband, give them a little honey to suck and they will soon go to sleep again.  And if you are lucky, they will not wake up until the morning.”
    There was another murmur of interest.
    Just as she completed her tour around the room, the Lord Mayor announced that tea was ready and although it was a tight squeeze, he felt sure that everyone would find enough for themselves and their children to eat.
    He took Narina into his private apartment where tea was served for her and the Councillors.
    â€œI am very certain, Your Royal Highness,” the Lord Mayor said, “that all these women will have something to talk about until next year.”
    Narina laughed.
    â€œIt always surprises me that people in the country, although they do keep bees, are not aware of the wonderful properties of honey.  They make jam, which is not half as good for them as honey.  Mohammed once said, ‘ Honey is the food of the body and the soul ’.”
    She spoke as she would have spoken to her father and then she saw surprise in the Lord Mayor’s eyes.
    Only then did she remember that Louise, much as she loved her, was not as well read as she was.
    Tactfully she changed the subject to ask what was happening in the City.
    There was a moment’s hesitation before the Lord Mayor replied,
    â€œEverything is pretty quiet, Your Royal Highness, but I have a suspicion that there are intruders from outside who join the men in the evening when work is done.  From all I hear they are trying to unsettle them in various subtle ways that is impossible for us to control.”
    â€œThen what is the answer?” enquired Narina.
    â€œI think that what Your Royal Highness has done this afternoon has been of great help.  The women are very delighted with you.  It will give them much to talk about and they will not be so attentive to their husbands tonight.”
    â€œAre you suggesting, Lord Mayor, that the people are being made to feel misgoverned and oppressed?”
    â€œOnly in certain districts at the moment, but we are always afraid that the situation might grow worse as it has in other Balkan countries.”
    â€œWhat I feel is important,” asserted Narina, “is that they should see much more of my husband and me in the future.  I had the feeling when I was talking to the women just now that either most of them were newcomers to the country or else I had missed them on past occasions when I have appeared in public.”
    â€œYou were unable to grace this meeting last year.  And also the previous year, which was just after you were married, as you were away on your honeymoon.”
    â€œThat, naturally, was a good excuse for not being present, but before I leave I would like once again to talk to the women who are having tea in the other room.”
    The Lord Mayor was obviously surprised.
    â€œI think we are asking too much of you, Your Royal Highness.”
    â€œNot at all.  I talked, as you saw, to a great number of them, but I did not reach them all and some may feel neglected.”
    Despite the Lord Mayor’s rather feeble protest, she insisted on doing as she wished.
    She walked into where the women were finishing their tea and some of them were already putting coats on their small children.
    Before the Lord Mayor was aware of what she was intending to do, Narina stood up on one of the chairs.
    The women looked up in anticipation as she raised her voice and began,
    â€œI have come back not only to say goodbye to you but because I have an idea that I think you will all enjoy.  In two months’ time, when the weather will be warmer, will you try to come back again?  But before you do so will you please send in a drawing or a toy that your children have made themselves.
    â€œThere will be a good number of prizes, including for the funniest exhibit and the most imaginative, as well as for those which are outstandingly