36 PRINCE PRIGIO.

 

notice of him. Annoyed at this, the prince
leaped up behind, threw down the two footmen,
who made no.resistance, and so was carried to
the door of a magnificent palace. He was
determined to challenge the gentleman who was
in the carriage; but, noticing that he had a
very beautiful young lady with him, whom he
had never seen before, he followed them into the
house, not wishing to alarm the girl, and mean-
ing to speak to the gentleman when he found
him alone.

A great ball was’ going on; but, as usual,
nobody took any notice of the prince. He
walked among the guests, being careful not to
jostle them, and listening to their conversation.

It was all about himself! Everyone had
heard of his disgrace, and almost everyone cried

“Serve him right!” They said that the airs
he gave himself were quite unendurable—that
nothing was more rude than to be always in the
right—that cleverness might be carried far too
far—that it was better‘even to be born stupid
(‘‘ Like the rest of you,” thought the prince);
and, in fact, nobody had a good word for him.

Yes, one had! It was the pretty lady of the
carriage. I never could tell you how pretty she
was. She was tall, with cheeks like white roses
blushing: she had dark hair, and very large
dark-grey eyes, and her face was the kindest in -
the world! The prince first thought how nice »
and good she looked, even before he thought