the terrible Red Rogue, and travelers dared not stop in
the neighborhood, but passed by quickly and with averted faces.

The prince and his party rode gaily along toward the Kingdom of Heg,
for Nerle had invited them all to visit his father's castle. They were
very happy over their escape, and only the little Lady Seseley became
sad at times, when she thought of her father's sad fate.

The Baron Neggar, who was Nerle's father, was not only a wealthy
nobleman, but exceedingly kind and courteous; so that every member of
Prince Marvel's party was welcomed to the big castle in a very
hospitable manner.

Nerle was eagerly embraced by both his father and mother, who were
overjoyed to see him return safe and sound after his wanderings and
adventures.

"And have you been cured of your longing for something that you can not
have?" asked the baron, anxiously.

"Not quite," said Nerle, laughing; "but I am more reconciled to my lot.
For I find wherever I go people are longing for just the things they
can not get, and probably would not want if they had them. So, as it
seems to be the fate of most mortals to live unsatisfied, I shall try
hereafter to be more contented."

These words delighted the good baron, and he gave a rich and
magnificent feast in honor of his son's return.

The High Ki of Twi, after passing several pleasant days at Nerle's
home, now decided that they had seen enough of the world and would be
glad to return to their own kingdom, where all was peaceful and
uneventful, and rule it to the end of their days. So the baron
furnished them an escort of twenty men-at-arms, and these conducted the
High Ki and the aged Ki safely back to the hole in the hedge.

And after they had entered the Land of Twi, the first act of the High
Ki was to order the hedge repaired and the hole blocked up; and I have
never heard that any one, from that time forth, ever succeeded in
gaining admittance to the hidden kingdom. So its subsequent history is
unknown.

King Terribus also bade the prince an affectionate farewell and rode
back to his own kingdom; and burly Wul-Takim accompanied him as far as
the cave, where the fifty-eight reformed thieves awaited him.

Nerle's mother gladly adopted the Lady Seseley and her two companions,
and thereafter they made their home at the baron's castle. And years
afterward, when they had grown to be women, Seseley was married to
Nerle and became the lady of the castle herself.

Prince Ma