"Impertinent vassals!" cried the Absolute Fool, riding up in a greatpassion. "How dare you interfere with a princess who has left hercity because it was so dull and stupid, and is endeavoring to find aprince, with whom she has eaten a philopena, in order that she maymarry him. 0ut of my way, or I will draw my sword and cleave you tothe earth, and thus punish your unwarrantable curiosity!"

The soldiers could not repress a chuckle.

"In order to prevent mischief," they said to the Absolute Fool, "weshall be obliged to take you into custody."

This they immediately did, and then requested the Princess toaccompany them to the palace of their King, where she would receivehospitality and aid.

The King welcomed the Princess with great cordiality. He had no son,and he much wished he had one; for in that case it might be hisPrince for whom the young lady was looking. But there was a prince,he said, who lived in a city to the north, who was probably the fairlyman; and he would send and make inquiries. In the mean time, thePrincess would be entertained by himself and his Queen; and, if herservant would make a suitable apology, his violent language would bepardoned. But the Absolute Fool positively refused to do this.