32 PRINCE PRIGIO.

. “ The king,” said he to himself, “‘ has threat-
ened to execute anybody who speaks to me, or
helps me in any way. Well, I don’t mean to
starve in the midst of plenty, anyhow; here’
goes!”
The prince rose, and went to the table in the
midst of the room, where a huge roast turkey
had just been placed. He helped himself to
half the breast, some sausages, chestnut stuffing,
bread sauce, potatoes, and a bottle of red wine—
Burgundy. He then went back to a table ina
corner, where he dined very well, nobody
- taking any notice of him. . When he had
finished, he sat watching the other people
dining, and smoking his cigarette. As he was
sitting thus, a very tall man, an officer in the
uniform of the Guards, came in, and, walking
straight to the prince’s table, said: ‘ Kellner,
clean this table, and bring in the bill of fare.”
With these words, the officer sat down
suddenly in the prince's lap, as if he did not see -
him at all. He was a heavy man, and the
prince, enraged at the insult, pushed him away
and jumped to his feet. As he did so, his cap’
dropped off. The officer fell on his knees at
once, crying: :
‘*Pardon, my prince, pardon! I never saw
you!” eH)
This: was more than the’ prince could be.
expected to believe.
‘‘Nonsense! Count Frederick von Matter-