s--her eyes flashing as she replied--

"We did not `make up our minds to banish him.' The warriors and people
would have compelled us to do it whether we liked or not, for they have
heard, alas! of the terrible nature of the disease. But the dear boy,
knowing this, went off in the night unknown to us, and without even
saying farewell. We have sent out parties to search for him several
times, but without success."

The youth was evidently affected by this burst of feeling.

"Ah," he returned, with a look of admiration at the princess, "that was
like him--like his noble, self-denying nature. But I will find him out,
you may depend on it, for I shall search the land in all directions till
I discover his retreat. If King Hudibras will grant me a few men to
help me--well. If not, I will do it by myself."

"Thank you, good Dromas, for your purpose and your sympathy," said the
queen. "The king will be only too glad to help you--but here he comes
to speak for himself."

The curtain door was tossed aside at the moment, and Hudibras strode
into the room with a beaming smile and a rolling gait that told of
redundant health, and showed that the cares of state sat lightly on him.

"Welcome, good Dromas, to our board. I was too sleepy to see much of
you after your arrival last night. Mine eyes blinked like those of an
owl. Kiss me, wife and daughter," he added, giving the ladies a salute
that resounded through the room. "Have they told you yet about our poor
son Bladud?"

The visitor had not time to reply, when a domestic appeared and said
there was an old woman at the door who would not go away.

"Give her some cakes and send her off!" cried the king with a frown.

"But she will not go till she has had converse with the princess."

"I will go to her," said Hafrydda, rising.

"Ay, go, my girl, and if thy sweet tongue fails to prevail, stuff her
mouth with meat and drink till she is too stout to walk. Come, my
queen, what have we this morning for breakfast? The very talking of
meat makes me hungry."

At this juncture several dogs burst into the room and gambolled with
their royal master, as with one who is a familiar friend.

When the princess reached the outer door she found the woman standing,
and evidently in a rage.

"Is this the way King Hudibras teaches his varlets to behave to poor
people who are better than themselves?"

"Forgive them, granny," said the princess, who was inclined to laugh,
but st