166 PRINCE FILDERKIN

did not hesitate for a moment, but in a firm
and manly voice addressed the King:

‘Sire,’ he said, ‘your terms are such as
I am only too delighted to accept.’

Then, turning to the Princess, with a low
bow he continued :

‘Sweet lady, even if the power were not
thine to perform what is promised by the
prophecy, I would be ready, with or without
a hump, to unite my fortunes with thine.
If, then, thou art graciously pleased to fulfil
that which has been for me so happily fore-
told, I-ask thee to wed me, and I promise
on my part to be true and tender to the last
moment of my existence.’

As the Prince finished, the beautiful maiden
raised her blushing face, and advancing close
to him, laid both hands upon his hump, and
in a voice clear but tremulous with emotion,
pronounced the words: ‘I vow to wed thee
on the morrow, and to be true in joy or
sorrow——’

No sooner had she spoken than the hump
which had hitherto burdened the shoulders
of Prince Filderkin disappeared like a flash
of lightning, and was seen the very next
moment reposing in the crystal case side