with great solemnity. Zerbin, not having been born in a palace, was the first to weary of these ceremonies.
"Enough," cried he, "you have done enough bowing, now let me see you dance." And the valets began dancing, and thus they all entered the palace, giving him a welcome worthy of a King.
Wishing to look particularly majestic, King Honeybee sat solemnly gazing at the end of his nose. Aleli was sighing, and Mistigris seemed racking his brain for an idea to give himself the air of a diplomatist, when at last the big door opened and, to the great surprise of the Court, the whole procession came dancing in.
The wood-cutter walked behind the valets, as little astonished at the Royal magnificence as if he had been born in a palace. On seeing the King, however, he stopped short, took off his hat, and bowed three times. He then replaced his hat upon his head and calmly took possession of an armchair, where he sat rocking his foot up and down.
"Father," cried the Princess, throwing herself into her father's arms, "here is my husband. How handsome, how noble he is! You will love him, will you not?"
"Mistigris," whispered King Honeybee, "question this man very cautiously. Remember, it concerns my daughter as well as myself. What an adventure, to be sure! How happy fathers would be if they had no children!"
"Your Majesty need not fear," said Mistigris. "Humanity is my duty and my pleasure. Get up, rascal, and answer at once if you wish to save your skin," he said to Zerbin. "Are you a Prince in disguise? You are a sorcerer. You are silent."
"I am no more a sorcerer than you are, old fellow," replied Zerbin, without rising from his chair.
"Knave!" cried the minister, "your silence proves your guilt."
"If I admit it I shall then be innocent," answered Zerbin.
"Sire," said Mistigris, "rid the Earth of this monster."
"Sire," said Mistigris, "let justice pursue its course. Rid the earth of this monster. Death is too good for such a miscreant."
"Go on; snarl as much as you like, old chap, but do not bite," said Zerbin.
"Sire," cried Mistigris, Mistigris, breathlessly, "humanity demands that you should protect your subjects from this sorcerer. Let him be hanged or burned. You are a father, but you are a King, and the father must give place to the King."
"Mistigris," said the King, "you speak with great ease, but your manner is odious. Not so much affectation, please. Conclude."
"Sire," gasped Mistigris. "Death, rope, fire!"
Whilst all this was going on, Aleli quitted abruptly her father's side and placed herself close to Zerbin.
"Give your orders, sire—this is my
