78 PRINCE PRIGIO.

 

she said it was childish and impossible; so the
carriage was got ready for her, and she started
without saying a word of good-bye to anyone.
The king, Benson, and the prince were not so:
- particular, and they simply flew back to Falken-
stein in the usual way, arriving there at 11.35—
a week before her majesty.

' The king at once held a Court; the horns and
tail of the monster were exhibited amidst general
interest, and Benson and the prince were invited
to state their claims. i

Benson’s evidence was taken first. He
declined to say exactly where or how he killed
the Firedrake. There might be more of them
left, he remarked,—young ones, that would
take a lot of killing,—and he refused to part
with his secret. Only he claimed the reward,
which was offered, if you remember, not to the
man who killed the beast, but to him who
brought its horns and tail. This was allowed
by the lawyers present to be very sound law;
and Benson was cheered by the courtiers, who.
decidedly preferred him to Prigio, and who, be-
sides, thought he was going to be crown prince.
As for Lady Molinda, she was torn by the most
painful feelings; for, much as she hated Prigio,
she could not bear the idea of marrying Benson.
Yet one or the other choice seemed certain.
Unhappy lady! Perhaps no girl was ever

more strangely beset by misfortune!

: Prince -Prigio was now called on to speak.