how to
pick up a bundle very well.'

The king blushed at her words, which he felt had a great deal of truth
in them, and took up the bundle meekly.

Aveline, delighted at the success of her first experiment, hobbled along
after him, chattering all the while, as old women do.

'I wish,' she said, 'that all kings had done as much once in their
lives. Then they would know what a lot of trouble it takes to get wood
for their fires.'

Souci felt this to be true, and was sorry for the old woman.

'Where are we going to?' asked he.

'To the castle of the White Demon; and if you are in want of work I will
find you something to do.'

'But I can't do anything,' he said, 'except carry a bundle, and I shan't
earn much by that.'

'Oh, you are learning,' replied the old woman, 'and it isn't bad for a
first lesson.' But the king was paying very little attention to her, for
he was rather cross and very tired. Indeed, he felt that he really could
not carry the bundle any further, and was about to lay it down when
up came a young maiden more beautiful than the day, and covered with
precious stones. She ran to them, exclaiming to the old woman,

'Oh, you poor thing! I was just coming after you to see if I could help
you.'

'Here is a young man,' replied the old woman, 'who will be quite ready
to give you up the bundle. You see he does not look as if he enjoyed
carrying it.'

'Will you let me take it, sir?' she asked.

But the king felt ashamed of himself, and held on to it tightly, while
the presence of the princess put him in a better temper.

So they all travelled together till they arrived at a very
ordinary-looking house, which Aveline pointed out as the castle of the
White Demon, and told the king that he might put down his bundle in
the courtyard. The young man was terribly afraid of being recognised by
someone in this strange position, and would have turned on his heel and
gone away had it not been for the thought of Minon-Minette. Still, he
felt very awkward and lonely, for both the princess and the old woman
had entered the castle without taking the slightest notice of the young
man, who remained where he was for some time, not quite knowing what
he had better do. At length a servant arrived and led him up into a
beautiful room filled with people, who were either playing on musical
instruments or talking in a lively manner, which astonished the king,
who stood silently listening, and not at all pleased at the wa