tion such bright eyes were certain to cause, and had sent a deluge of water to keep it under. With these words he offered her his hand to lead her to the palace. She said to him, in a whisper, "I entertain sentiments for you which you would never imagine, if I did not express them to you myself. It is not without some pain that I do so: but 'honi soit qui mal y pense.' Know, therefore, my Lord Ambassador, that it was with admiration I saw you mounted on your beautiful dancing horse; that I regretted you came hither on any person's account but your own. If you have as much courage as I have, we will not fail to find a remedy for this evil. Instead of marrying you in the name of your master, I will marry you in your own. I know that you are not a prince; but you please me as much as if you were one. We will fly together to some safe retreat. It will make a great talk for a time, and then some one will do the same thing, or worse, and the world will leave me alone to talk about her, and I shall have the gratification of being your wife."
Fanfarinet thought he was dreaming, for Printaniere was a princess of such marvellous beauty and accomplishments, that but for this extraordinary fancy, he never could have hoped for such an honour. He was unable even to answer her. Had they been alone, he would have flung himself at her feet; he took, however, the liberty of squeezing her hand so hard that he hurt her little finger desperately; but she did not cry out, she was so exceedingly fond of him.
As she entered the palace, it resounded with the music of a thousand different instruments, with the strains of which, voices almost celestial blended in such exquisite harmony, that the listeners dared scarcely breathe for fear of making so much noise as would drown the softest note of it.
After the king had kissed his daughter on the forehead and on both cheeks, he said to her, "My pretty little lamb, (for he called her by all sorts of endearing names,) will you not be glad to marry the son of the great King Merlin? Here is Lord Fanfarinet, who will be proxy for him, and conduct you to the finest kingdom in the world." "Certainly, father," said she, making him a low curtsy, "I will do whatever you please, provided my good mother consents." "I consent, my darling," said the queen, embracing her. "So, quick! let them serve up the dinner,"—which they did directly.
