till one day
accident did what she was unable to accomplish.

The King had an only sister who was deeply attached to him, and who
was married to the sovereign of a distant country. She had always kept
up a close correspondence with her brother, and the accounts she heard
of Prince Alphege made her long to become acquainted with so charming
a nephew. She entreated the King to allow the Prince to visit her, and
after some hesitation which was overruled by his wife, he finally
consented.

Prince Alphege was at this time fourteen years old, and the handsomest
and most engaging youth imaginable. In his infancy he had been placed
in the charge of one of the great ladies of the Court, who, according
to the prevailing custom, acted first as his head nurse and then as
his governess. When he outgrew her care her husband was appointed as
his tutor and governor, so that he had never been separated from this
excellent couple, who loved him as tenderly as they did their only
daughter Zayda, and were warmly loved by him in return.

When the Prince set forth on his travels it was but natural that this
devoted couple should accompany him, and accordingly he started with
them and attended by a numerous retinue.

For some time he travelled through his father's dominions and all went
well; but soon after passing the frontier they had to cross a desert
plain under a burning sun. They were glad to take shelter under a
group of trees near, and here the Prince complained of burning thirst.
Luckily a tiny stream ran close by and some water was soon procured,
but no sooner had he tasted it than he sprang from his carriage and
disappeared in a moment. In vain did his anxious followers seek for
him, he was nowhere to be found.

As they were hunting and shouting through the trees a great black
monkey suddenly appeared on a point of rock and said: 'Poor sorrowing
people, you are seeking your Prince in vain. Return to your own
country and know that he will not be restored to you till you have for
some time failed to recognise him.'

With these words he vanished, leaving the courtiers sadly perplexed;
but as all their efforts to find the Prince were useless they had no
choice but to go home, bringing with them the sad news, which so
greatly distressed the King that he fell ill and died not long after.

The Queen, whose ambition was boundless, was delighted to see the
crown on her son's head and to have the power in her own hands. Her
hard ru