186 PRINCE RICARDO.

 

‘but that’s not to-day, nor yet to-morrow.
What are you doing here? Are you an am-
bassador, maybe come to propose a match for
me? I’m not proud, I’ll hear you. They say
there’s a rather well-looking wench in your
parts, the Princess Jaqueline——”

‘“‘ Mention that lady’sname, you villain,” cried
Dick, ‘‘and I’ll cut down your orange-tree!”’
and he wished he had brought the Sword of
Sharpness, for you cannot prod down a tee
with the point of a rapier.

“Fancy her yourself?’ said the Dwarf,
showing his yellow teeth with a detestable grin ;
while Ricardo turned quite white with anger, and
not knowing how to deal with this insufferable
little monster.

“I’m a widower, I am,” said the Dwarf,
“though I’m out of mourning,” for he wore a
dirty clay-coloured Yellow jacket. ‘‘ My illus-
trious consort, the Princess Frutilla, did not
behave very nice, and I had to avenge my
honour; in fact, I’m open to any offers, how-
ever humble. Going at an alarming sacrifice! -
Come to my box”’ (and he pointed to a filthy
clay cottage, all surrounded by thistles, net-
tles, and black boggy water), ‘‘and I’ll talk
over your proposals.”

“Hold your impudent tongue!” said
Dick. ‘The Princess Frutilla was an
injured saint; and as for the lady whom
I shall not name in your polluting presenice,