the king remained
motionless, a smile of joy gradually spreading over his features. Then
he said, aloud:

"What has happened? Why do you all look so startled?"

"Your Majesty is no longer ugly," replied Marvel, laughingly; "so that
when Nerle and I leave your kingdom we can proclaim nothing less than
praise of your dignified and handsome appearance."

"Is my face indeed pleasing?" demanded the king, eagerly.

"It is!" cried the assembled courtiers and ladies, as with one voice.

"Bring me a mirror!" said the king. "I shall look at my reflection for
the first time in many years."

The mirror being brought King Terribus regarded himself for a long time
with pleased astonishment; and then, his sensitive nature being
overcome by the shock of his good fortune, he burst into a flood of
tears and rushed from the room.

The courtiers and ladies now bestowed many grateful thanks upon Prince
Marvel for his kind deed; for they realized that thereafter their lives
would be safer from the king's anger and much pleasanter in every way.

"Terribus is not bad by nature," said one; "but he brooded upon his
ugliness so much that the least thing served to throw him into a
violent passion, and our lives were never safe from one day to another."

By and by two giants entered the hall and carried away the throne of
gray stone where Terribus had been accustomed to sit; and other slaves
brought a gorgeous throne of gold, studded with precious jewels, which
they put in its place. And after a time the king himself returned to
the room, his simple gray gown replaced by flowing robes of purple,
with rich embroideries, such as he had not worn for many years.

"My people," said he, addressing those present with kindness and
dignity, "it seems to me fitting that a handsome king should be
handsomely attired, and an ugly one clothed simply. For years I have
been so terrible in feature that I dared not even look at my own image
in a mirror. But now, thanks to the gracious magic of my guest, I have
become like other men, and hereafter you will find my rule as kind as
it was formerly cruel. To-night, in honor of this joyous occasion, we
shall feast and make merry, and it is my royal command that you all do
honor and reverence to the illustrious Prince Marvel!"

A loud shout of approval greeted this speech, and the evening was merry
indeed. Terribus joined freely in the revelry, laughing as gaily as
the lightest-hearted damsel present.