PRINCE RICARDO. 153

 

It was all about the attitude of Pantouflia in
the event of a Polish invasion of Russia. The
king reassured Count Snoreonski, affirming that
Pantouflia, while deeply regretting the disturbed
relations between two States in whose welfare
she was deeply interested, would ever preserve
an attitude of benevolent neutrality, unless her
own interests were threatened.

*“‘T may give your message to my august
mistress, the Czarina?’ said the ambas-
sador.

“* By all means, adding an expression of my
tender interest in her Majesty’s health and wel-
fare,” said the king, presenting the count at the
same time with a magnificent diamond snuff box
containing his portrait.

The old count was affected to tears, and
withdrew, while King Prigio said:

“T have not lost a day; I have made an
amiable but very stupid man happy.”

Such are, or rather such were, the toils of
monarchs !

II