THE LITTLLE (GCRLEY MAN

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“Is the Queen not down yet?” he asked, impatiently. It does not surprisc e, though ; women arce never punctual.”

He was about to take his seat, when three soldiers threw open the door, and pushed nto the room the little grey man.

“Sire,” said once of the guards, * this rascal has had the audacity to enter the palace vard, in spite of the Royal order. We should have hanged him at once rather than disturh vour Majesty at supper, but he pretends that he has a message from the Queen, and that he Is the bearer of a State sceret.” | “Irom the Queen !7 exclaimied the King, aghast. “Where is she? Wreteh ! what have vou done with her?”

“ I have stolen her!” quictly veplied the little man. “How did vou do that?” said the

King. “osire, who was the monk with a large sack on his back, to whom yvour Majesty conde

TAKE IT ALL, REVEREND FATHER"

537 scended to say, ‘Take it all, and a good rid- dance’?”

“ It was you,” cried

the King: * consequently even I am no longer in safety. One of these days vou will steal me, and my kingdom into the bargain.”

“Sire, I have come to ask you one thing more.”

“I am afraid of you,” sard the King. “ Who are vou? A\ sorcerer, or the devil himself? 7

“Neither, Sire. T am simply Prince Holar. 1 was on my way to ask you tor the hand of your daughter, when T was over- taken by the storm and obliged to take refuge with my equerry in the house of the pastor of Skalholt. But chance threw in my way a foolish peasant, who has been the cause of my this

acting in manner. However, I have only obeyed your Majesty’s

orders in all this.”

“Well, well,” said the King, “I sec—or rather I do not see; it matters little. Prince Holar, 1 would rather have vou ag a son-in-law than as a ncighbour. s scon as the Queen comes back

“She 1s herey, Sire ; my equerry has con- ducted her back to the palace.”

The Queen soon reappeared, rather ashamed of having been so easily duped, but readily comforted at the prospect of having such a clever man for her son-in-law.

“You must tell me the wonderful secret,” she whispered to Prince Holar, “1T wish to know 1t.”

“The sceret of bemg beautiful for ever 1, to be loved,” said the Prince,

" How can one he always loved?” asked the Queen.

“By being good, and pleasing one’s husband.”

• “Is that all? And you pretend to be a

sorcerer 7 oexclaimed the indignant Queen, throwing up her arms,

" Lnough of all this mystery,” said the King o alarm. “ Prince Holar, vou will

Vol 1v.—Gq.

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simple, and by