The Rose and the Ring

“Betsinda!” she said, “you dressed my hair very nicely today; I promised you a little present. Here are five sh — no, here is a pretty littl

the Princess used to

t the window), you may go and warm dear Prince Giglio’s bed, like a good girl, and then you may unrip my green silk, and then you can just do me up a little cap for t

both the young gentlemen’s

-ho! — Grau-haw-hoo! — Hong-hrho!” I

Princess is next to them. So pretty Betsinda went away for

eeper said she was a pert, stuck-up thing: the upper-housemaid asked, how dare she wear such ringlets and ribbons, it was quite improper! The cook (for there was a woman-cook as well as a man-cook) said to the

ey

at a pretty gir

emma

cie

f with her pan of coals. She heard the young gentlemen playing at billiards as she went u

y to the desert, fly with me! I never saw a young gazelle to glad me with its dark blue eye that had eyes like thine. Thou nymph of beauty, take, take this young heart. A truer never did itself sustain

and go to bed, please,” said

ou lovely, blushing chambermaid divine! Here, at thy feet, th

da, who was full of fun, gave him a touch with the warming-pan, whic

t was the matter. As soon as he saw what was taking place, Giglio, in a fury, rushed on Bulbo, kicked h

round, and whilst he went into a corner rubbing himself, what do you think Giglio does? He goes down on his own knees to Betsinda, takes her hand, begs her to accept his heart, and o

n in all Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, nay, in Australia, only it is not yet discovered, can presume to be thy equal? Angel

ambermaid,” says Betsinda, look

ook me?” continues Giglio. “Did not thy gentle hand s

Your Royal Highness’s shirt-buttons on too, if you pl

en he saw the unmistakable glances which she flung upon Giglio, Bulbo began to cry bitterly

e going on with their conversation, and as they began now to quarrel

re; of course you will give me satisfaction for insulting Betsinda.

ut Bulbo. “She shall be Princess Bul

to my cousin!” be

r cousin,”

action for insulting her!

ave you

un you

ut your

w your br

ck your h

riend to you i

llet into you i

had carried it, and rushed downstairs. What should he see on the landing but his Majesty talking to Betsinda, whom he called by all sorts of

emen smoking, perhaps

em), “never mind the young men! Turn thy eyes on a middle-aged

ll her Majesty sa

axes, hangmen — ha? Runs not a river by my palace wall? Have I not sacks to sew up wives withal? Say but the word, t

e King as flat as a pancake; after which, Master Giglio took to his heels and ran away, and Betsinda went off screaming, and the Queen, Gru

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