PRINCE PRIGIO. 79

He admitted that the reward was offered for
bringing the horns and tail, not for killing the
monster. But were the king’s intentions to go
for nothing? When a subject only meant well,
of course he had to suffer; but when a king
said one thing, was he not to be supposed to
have meant another? Any fellow with a waggon
could bring the horns and tail; the difficult
thing was to kill the monster. If Benson’s
claim was allowed, the royal prerogative of
saying one thing and meaning something else
was in danger.

On hearing this argument, the king so far
forgot himself as to cry, “‘ Bravo, well said!”
and to clap his hands, whereon all the courtiers
shouted and threw up their hats.

The prince then said that whoever had killed
the monster could, of course, tell where to find
him, and could bring his hoofs. He was ready
to do this himself. Was Mr. Benson equally
ready? On this being interpreted to him—for
he did not speak Pantoufllian—Benson grew
pale with horror, but fell back on the proclama-
tion. He had brought the horns and tail,
and so he must have the perquisites, and the
Lady Molinda!

The king’s mind was so much confused by
this time, that he determined to leave it to the
Lady Molinda herselt.

“Which of them will you have, my dear?”
he asked, in a kind voice.