ly a few words; if they be spoken ill, they are ill; if they be spoken
well, they are more precious than gold and jewels."

While the king was saying these words to Beppo, Beppo was looking
fixedly at the prime-minister. While he did so he shook his head three
times. Then he bowed low and walked away.

He had not gone twenty paces before some one tapped him upon the arm;
it was the prime-minister. Beppo gazed fixedly at him. "Alas, my poor
friend!" said he.

The prime-minister turned pale. "It was, then, as I thought," said he.
"The king spoke about me. Will you not tell me what he said?"

Beppo shook his head. "Alas, my poor friend!" said he, and then he
walked on.

The prime-minister still followed him.

"My lord," said he, "I have been aware that his majesty has not been the
same to me for more than a week past. If it was about the princess, pray
tell his majesty that I meant nothing ill when I spoke of her to him."

Beppo shook his head. "Alas, my poor friend!" he said.

The prime-minister's lips trembled. "My lord," said he, "I have always
had the kindest regard for you, and if there is anything in my power
that I can do for you I hope you will command me. I know how much you
are in his majesty's confidence. Will you not speak a few words to set
the matter straight?"

Beppo again shook his head. "Alas, my poor friend!" said he, and then he
got upon his horse and rode away.

Three days passed.

"This morning," said the princess, "when you go to the king, look at
the prime-minister when the king speaks to you, and smile. The
prime-minister will again speak to you, and this time say, It is well,
and I wish you joy.' Take what he gives you, for it will be of use."

Again all happened just as the princess said.

Beppo came to the palace, and again the king whispered in his ear. As
he did so Beppo looked at the prime-minister and smiled, and then he
withdrew.

The prime-minister followed him. He trembled. "It is well," said Beppo,
"and I wish you joy."

The prime-minister grasped his hand and wrung it. "My lord," said he,
"how can I express my gratitude! The palace of my son that stands by the
river--I would that you would use it for your own, if I may be so bold
as to offer it to you."

"I will," said Beppo, "use it as my own."

The prime-minister wrung his hand again, and then Beppo rode away.

The next time that Beppo spoke to the king, at the princess's bidding,
he looked at the lord-treasurer,