814 THE INVISIBLE PRINCE.

carrying the snake with him, put it into a large chamber, the
key of which he kept himself, and ordered bran, milk, and
flowers to be given to it, for its delight and sustenance ; so that
never was snake so happy. Leander went sometimes to see it,
and when it perceived him it made haste to meet him, showing
him all the little marks of love and gratitude of which a poor
snake was capable, which did not a little surprise him, though,
however, he took no farther notice of it.

In the mean-time all the court-ladies were extremely
troubled at his absence ; and he was the subject of all their
discourse. “Alas!” cried they, “there is no pleasure at court
since Leander is gone, of whose absence the wicked Furibon is
the cause!” Furibon also had his parasites, for his power over
the queen made him feared ; so that they told him what the
ladies said, which enraged him to a degree of fury ; and in his
passion he flew to the queen's chamber, and vowed he would
Kill himself before her face if she did not find means to destroy
Leander. The queen, who also hated Leander, because he was
handsomer than her son, replied that she had long looked upon
him as a traitor, and therefore would willingly consent to his
death. To which purpose she advised him to go a hunting with
some of his confidants, and contrive it so that Leander should
make one, and that then he might teach him to remember how
he gained the love of everybody. Accordingly Furibon went
a hunting; and Leander, when he heard the horns and the
hounds, mounted his horse, and rode to see who it was. But he
‘was surprised to meet the prince so unexpectedly : he alighted
immediately, and saluted him with respect; and Furibon
received him more graciously than usual, and bade him follow
him. All of a sudden he turned his horse, and rode another
way, making a sign to the ruffians to take the first opportunity
to kill him; but before he had got quite out of sight a lion of