e King of Barodia's tent; he
told her of the King of Barodia's letter; he told her more fully of
his early duel with the King; he told her everything that he had said
and done; and everything that everybody else had said and done to him;
and his boyish pleasure in it all was so evident and so innocent, that
even a stranger would have had nothing more reproachful for him than a
smile. To Hyacinth he seemed the dearest of fathers and the most
wonderful of kings.

And by and by the moment came of which Coronel had spoken.

"And now," said Merriwig, "tell me what you have all been doing with
yourselves here. Nothing much, I suppose?"

He waited nervously, wondering if Hyacinth would realise that "all"
was meant to include more particularly Belvane.

Hyacinth drew a stool up to her father's chair and sat down very close
to him.

"Father," she said, stroking his hand where it rested on his knee, "I
_have_ got some news for you."

"Nothing about the Coun--nothing serious, I hope," said Merriwig, in
alarm.

"It's rather serious, but it's rather nice. Father, dear, would you
mind _very_ much if I got married soon?"

"My dear, you shall get married as soon as you like. Let me see,
there were six or seven Princes who came about it only the other day.
I sent them off on adventures of some kind, but--dear me, yes, they
ought to have been back by now. I suppose you haven't heard anything
of them?"

"No, Father," said Hyacinth, with a little smile.

"Ah, well, no doubt they were unsuccessful. No matter, dear, we can
easily find you plenty more suitors. Indeed, the subject has been
very near my thoughts lately. We'll arrange a little competition, and
let them know in the neighbouring countries; there'll be no lack of
candidates. Let me see, there's that seven-headed bull; he's getting
a little old now, but he was good enough for the last one. We
might----"

"I don't want a suitor," said Hyacinth softly. "I have one."

Merriwig leant forward with eagerness.

"My dear, this is indeed news. Tell me all about it. Upon what quest
did you send him?"

Hyacinth had felt this coming. Had she lived in modern times she
would have expected the question, "What is his income?" A man must
prove his worth in some way.

"I haven't sent him away at all yet," she said; "he's only just come.
He's been very kind to me, and I'm sure you'll love him."

"Well, well, we'll arrange something for him. Perhaps that bull I was