76 PRINCE FILDERKIN

should be the daughter of one in the same
position, and this was precisely the sort or
Princess who, having a wide choice among
Princes, would be unlikely to look with favour
upon one who was not perfect in form and
shape. Still it was most desirable that a
bride should be chosen, for the kingdom was
hereditary, and if the Prince did not marry
and have a son to succeed him, it would
either go to a distant relative whom the King
particularly disliked, or else there would be a
quarrel over the crown, which would be very
hurtful for the country. The King and Queen
therefore held many consultations upon the
important subject, but, somehow or other,
the more they talked it over, the less could
they make up their minds what was the best
course to pursue.

While things were in this state of un-
certainty, it happened that upon one fine
morning, when the people of the town in
which the royal palace was situated, awoke
and went about their usual business, they
found the whole place covered with placards
which announced that a grand caravan of
animals had arrived and that everybody was
strongly advised to go and see it. This was