as there are now, there would then be in my basket as much
more than forty-five as there now are under that number."

Although the very commonest hand at figures, would have deciphered the
problem without trouble; nevertheless, for a bad calculation the gift
of divination is absolutely indispensable, if he would come off with
honour, and not appear ridiculous. Now as this gift had been
fortunately communicated to the wise Premislas, it cost him neither
ingenuity nor exertion to discover the solution of the riddle.

"Intimate associate of the heavenly powers," he said, "whoever
undertakes to discover thy high-soaring and divine meaning, ventures to
fly after the eagle, when he hides himself in the clouds.
Nevertheless, I will follow thy secret flight as far as the eye, which
is illumined by thee, can reach. I decide that the plums thou hast
concealed in the basket are thirty in number,--neither more nor less."

The lady looked at him kindly and said; "Thou hast traced the
glimmering spark that lies deep in the ashes, and light gleams upon
thee out of mist and darkness; thou hast guessed my riddle."

She then opened the basket, counted out fifteen plums into Prince
Wladomir's hat with one more, and there remained fourteen. Of these
she gave seven to the Knight Mizisla with one more, and six remained in
the basket. The half of these she awarded to the wise Premislas, then
gave him the three others, and the basket was empty. The whole court
was amazed at the arithmetical wisdom of the fair Libussa, and the
acuteness of her clever bridegroom. No one could comprehend how human
intellect was able on the one hand to bind a common number so
enigmatically in words, and on the other to pick out such an ingenious
mystery with such perfect confidence. The lady awarded the empty
basket to the two knights, who could not obtain her love, as a memorial
of a terminated amour. Hence arises the custom, which exists to the
present time, of saying that a rejected lover has received a _basket_
from his mistress.[3]

When all was in readiness for the homage, and the nuptials, both these
ceremonies were celebrated with great pomp. The Bohemian people had
now a duke, and the fair Libussa a husband, both to their heart's
content, and what was most surprising this result was brought about by
trickery, which does not generally bear the reputation of being the
most skilful negotiator. If one of the two parties had been deceived,
certa