064 L4 NSTRANT

the attendants of the Princess to lead her back to her apartments.”

At these words Alelt threw up her arms and burst imto tears. Then she fell sobbing at the King's feete Shortly afters the two maids of honour appearcd, stull o peals of laughter.

“Silence, fools, silence 7 shouted King Fonevbhee, mdignant at this Tack of respect. But the more the King shouted = Silence D7

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COPHE CTWO ALAIDS OF HONOUR. the more the two ladies Taughed, regardless of all ctiquette.

“Guards,” said the King, beside himsclt with anger, “scize these msolent ercatures, and off with therr heads.”

“Sire,” oried Aleh, claspimg her hands, “remember, vou have made vour veign illus trious by abolishing capital punishment.

“You are right. my daughter. We are civilized people. women shall be spared + we will content ourselves by havimg them shut up ina dungeon, and they will then be sure to die a natural death, weary of hearing no other tongue but their own.”

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“Oh, my father ! sobbed poor Alel.

“Merey, sire! We will cease laughing” cricd the two ladies, falling upon their knees. SWe mmplore vour Majesty to pardon us we are the victims of a who has bewitched us.”

A\ sorcerer momy kingdom,” said the “that 1s impossible. How can there he any when I do not helieve m them 27

“Sre, sad of the Tadies, s 1t natural for a bundle of wood., ridden by a wood- cutter, to trot and prance like a cireus horse 2 We have just seen one do o that on the palace square.”

A\ bundle of wood replied the Kig @ that - certanly looks ke sor- cery. Guards, seize the man and his fagot, and

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Lurn both ol them to- cether, And then, hope, T shall have w

hittle peace.” | “ Burn iy bheloved ' cricd the Princess. “Sire, that noble cavahier is to be myv husband. If a hair of his head were touched, T should dic.”

“ My house POS- sessed,” sard poor King Honevbee, i dismay. “What the use of being King af T cannot cven o orestoin peace ? But what 1s the good of tormenting mvself 2 Call Mistivris. Since ] have a minister, the least he can do s o tell me what 1 think and what [ wish to do.”

Mistigris soon appeared. TTe was o hittle, at round man, who scemed to roll along like a ball rather than walk. He had eves ke a lerret's, a low forchead, a hooked nose, fat checks, and three chins @ such s the portrait ol the celebrated minister of Ning Honevbee. He o appeared smiling and - putting, with Imincig steps,

“llere vou are at lastosaid s the Ning “ow 1s 1t that unheard-of things happen in iy empire, and 1 the Kingg e the Jast to hear of them 20

cvervthing s i proper order,” rephied Mistigris. 1 have here the police reports

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