husband. His fate shall be mine," she said.
The ladies of the Court were scandalized at this, and hid their faces in their hands; even Mistigris felt obliged to blush.
"Mistigris."
"Miserable being," cried the furious King. "In dishonouring yourself you have pronounced your own condemnation. Guards! arrest these two persons, and let them be married without further delay; then take possession of the first boat you see in the port, and after placing the guilty couple in it, abandon it to the mercy of the waves."
"Oh, sire," cried Mistigris, whilst the Princess and Zerbin were being dragged away, "you are the mightiest monarch in the world. Your kindness, your mildness, your indulgence will be an example and astonishment to posterity. As for ourselves, we are dumfounded at such magnanimity; we can only admire it in silence."
"My poor daughter," said the King, "what will become of her without her father? Guards! seize Mistigris and put him also on board the boat. It will be a consolation to me to know that this clever man is near my dear Aleli. Besides, the idea of a new minister is rather pleasant—it will divert my thoughts from my troubles. Good-bye, my good Mistigris."
Mistigris stood gaping with astonishment; he had barely recovered breath to rave against monarchs and their ingratitude, when he was borne out of the palace. In spite of his tears, threats, and prayers, he was cast into the boat, and the three friends soon found themselves alone in the midst of the waves.
As to good King Honeybee, he wiped away a tear, and retired into his chamber to finish the nap so unpleasantly interrupted.
IV.
The night was fine and calm; the moon shed its pale beams across the ever-restless sea; the wind blew from the land, and soon carried the boat far away. Capri was soon in view, rising from the waves like a garden of flowers. Zerbin held the rudder and sang in a minor key some plaintive wood-cutter's or sailor's song. At his feet sat Aleli, silent, but not sad; she was listening to her lover. The past was all forgotten, the future did not trouble her; she was with Zerbin, and that satisfied her.
Mistigris, less sensitive, was also less philosophical. Impatient and furious, he was restless as a lion in its cage. Zerbin sat with bowed head, unconcerned as usual at the sermons Mistigris preached for his benefit. Not being used to official orations, so much talking wearied Zerbin and made him sleepy.
"What will become of us?" cried Mistigris, at last. "If you have any power, wretched sorcerer, now is the time to show it. Can't you make yourself a Prince somewhere, and make me your minister? I must have something to rule. What is the good of your power you do not make your friends' fortune?"
"I am hungry," said Zerbin, opening one eye.
Aleli rose at once and looked about her.
"Dear Zerbin," she said, "what should you like?"
"I should like some figs and raisins," said the wood-cutter. Mistigris uttered a shriek; for a barrel of figs immediately rose between his legs and overturned him.
"Oh!" thought he, as he picked himself up. "I have found your secret, wretched sorcerer. If you have whatever you wish for, my fortune is made; I have not been a minister for nothing, my fine Prince. I will soon make you wish for whatever pleases me."
While Zerbin was eating his figs, Mistigris came forward bowing, his face beaming with smiles.
"Lord Zerbin," said he, "I crave from your Excellency your most esteemed friendship. Perhaps his Highness had not discerned all the devotion that I had hidden under the severity of my words; but I can assure him
