Prince Ricardo of Pantouflia

Lect

e. Every morning he would climb the turret and sweep the horizon, and even much beyond the horizon, with the ivory spy-glass. But look as he would, he saw no monsters preying on human-kind anywhere, nor princesses in distress. To be sure he saw plenty of poor people in dis

fore a light breeze on a hill lake; Ricardo was fishing, and Jaqueline was sculling a stroke now and then, just to keep the boat right with the wind. Ricardo had very bad sport, when suddenly the trout began to ri

ing one particular fly which was on the

find a fly in my book in the least like t

his temper, got his tackle entangled in Jaqueline's hair and then in the l

ng line, first from her hair, which Ricardo was anxious to cut (the great stu

fly that will suit. Let's go home," an

learn magic for nothing. Just you look the other way for a minute

ment, saw the right hook on his cast; but Jaqueline was not in the boat. She had turned h

egan casting. He got a trout every cast, great big ones, over a pou

aking them," he said, "

at the fly was off his cast, and

and certain. Now, apply this moral to dragon-killing with magic instruments. It may be useful when on

wer ready, so h

; everybody always is. I seem to hav

aps what Jaqueline said may have made some impression on Ricardo, for he s

began to entertain hopes of Ricardo's becoming a wise an

e Dick, as we saw, and took a good deal of credit to herself for his steadiness. But one day King Prigio happened to meet Jaqueline's maid,

e said, and he lifted a curious ornament which hung from a chain on

tter, took it off and gave if to him. "H'm!" said the king. "Ve

ing better. On this occasion she was anxious to think of something better, for fear of getting Jaqueline into a scrape about the chemical e

sty, the princess

is a little white moon shining in each of

and brooms, and shut himself in. Yes, there was no mistake; the darkness was quite lighte

morrow, Rosina, I should like to have it exam

but she was very much alarmed abou

nto his study, as he often did, to help him with h

y young lady to read. The Fairy Paribanou, I am sure, taught you nothing beyond the ordinary magical accomplishments suited to

Jaqueline, feeling very uncomfortable; fo

e silver cross out of his pocket,

her the drops. She ha

-when one spills the water when he, or she, is drinking the moon. Now, there is only one book which tells how that can be done, and there is only one reason for doing it; namely, to find out what is some other person's secret. I shall

tell you everythin

ot approve of. But there is another thing-that eclipse of the moon! Oh, Jaqueline, was it honourable, or fair t

line could

ot believe you if you did explain; but just think, if some people ceased to believe in Science, what would

about it at all

y, dry your tears, and I think you had better bring me that book, and I'll put it bac

her book. And the king kissed her, and told her t

ite necessary," said the princess to herself. "Indeed, it

very studious when a young man

her fortune, wondering if Ricardo cares for her a little.

his Majesty was mistaken, w

Black Sea, the Caspian, the Sea of Marmora, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, the German Ocean, the Mediterranean? Her ornaments were very peculiar; there was a broad gold sun on her breast. I must look at them again some day. She said she was being sacrificed to wild birds (which her people worshipped), because there was some famine, or wa

udies. Ah, Prigio! why wert thou not born to a private station? But Duty before everything," and w

ski, affirming that Pantouflia, while deeply regretting the disturbed relations between two States in whose welfare she w

my august mistress, the Cz

sty's health and welfare," said the king, presenting the count at the

ed to tears, and withdre

I have made an amiable b

er such were, the