- 80 PRINCE PRIGIO.

 

But poor Molinda merely cried. Then his
majesty was almost driven to say that he would
give the reward to whoever produced the hoofs
by that day week. But no sooner -had he said
this than the prince brought them out of his
wallet, and displayed them in open Court. This
ended the case; and Benson, after being enter-
tained with sherry and sandwiches in the
steward’s room, was sent back to his master.
And I regret to say that his temper was not at
all improved by his failure to better himself.
On the contrary, he was unusually cross and dis-
agreeable for several days; but we must, perhaps,
make some allowance for his disappointment.

But if Benson was irritated, and suffered
from the remarks of his fellow-servants, I do
not think we.can envy Prince Prigio. Here he
was, restored to his position indeed, but by no
means to the royal favour. For the king dis-
liked him as much as ever, and was as angry as
ever about the deaths of Enrico and Alphonso.
Nay, he was even more angry; and, perhaps, not
without reason. He called up Prigio before
the whole Court, and thereon the courtiers
cheered like anything, but the king cried:

*‘ Silence! McDougal, drag the first man that
shouts to the serpent-house in the zoological
gardens, and lock him up with the rattlesnakes!”

After that the courtiers were very quiet.

** Prince,” said the king, as Prigio bowed
before the throne, ‘‘you are restored to your