1] THE LOST PRINCE. 53

unable to read, he derived but little information from
the document. However, the thought crossed his
mind that if any fair description of the boy were
given in this paper, he might easily palm off upon the
girls one of his people, and thus obtain from their
gratitude the promise of marriage which he saw would
be otherwise difficult, especially as Pettina, at least,
appeared to have a certain knowledge of magic, and
it was her he rather preferred of the two. So, under
pretence of making some enquiries he left the room,
and submitted the advertisement to his housekeeper,
who read and explained it to him.
‘Well, said he, on hearing what were its contents,
‘I don’t see why we shouldn’t try it on. Let me see.
It will be easy to produce a diamond-set girdle, for ten
to one the Princesses won't recollect the right one ;
then, “on his arma mark blue.” I wish it were “black
and blue,” for most of the servants in the palace could
show marks answering to that description. Search
and look, Dame Skrinklegriggs, and send up some
one soon with whom I may satisfy these girls.’
- When the old housekeeper had promised to do her
best, the Giant returned to the Princesses, and told
them that he had good hope of being able to produce
their brother, for that he had just heard that there
was a youth attached to his household who had
wandered there, no one knew whence, about the time
of the loss, and who certainly had on a girdle of the
description mentioned, and a mark upon his arm of a
decidedly bluish tinge. This speedy compliance with
their: wishes surprised and pleased the sisters, but
Pincher took an opportunity of winking his eye when