134. PRINCE RICARDO.

 

business—namely, boot and shoe making. But
keep a secret from-my. wife, I fairly own to
your Majesty that I can wot.”

Herr Schmidt went down on his knees and
wept.

“ Rise, Herr Schmidt,” said the king, taking
him by the hand. ‘A more honourable and
chivalrous confession of an amiable weakness,
if it is to be called a weakness, I never heard.
Sir, you have been true to your honour and
your prince, in face of. what few men can bear,
the chance of ridicule. There is no one here,
I hope, but respects and will keep the secret of
Herr Schmidt’s confession?”

The assembled shopkeepers could sche)
refrain from tears.

‘Long live King Prigio the Good!” they,
exclaimed, and vowed that everything should
be kept dark.

“‘ Indeed, sire,’ said the swordmaker, “all
the rest of us are bachelors.”

“That is none the worse for my purpose,
gentlemen,” said his Majesty; ‘‘but I trust
that you will not long deprive me of sons
and subjects worthy to succeed to such
fathers. And now, if Herr Schmidt will
kindly find his way to the buttery, where
refreshments are ready, I shall have the
pleasure of conducting you to the scene of
your labours.”

Thus speaking, the king, with another magni-