soldier of fortune, who maintained a
military reserve.

When his majesty had recovered, he said to Prigio (who had not been
crying, he was too much absorbed):

"A king's word is his bond. Bring me a pen, somebody, and my
cheque-book."

The royal cheque-book, bound in red morocco, was brought in by eight
pages, with ink and a pen. His majesty then filled up and signed the
following satisfactory document--(Ah! my children, how I wish Mr.
Arrowsmith would do as much for _me_!):

[Illustration: The King's Cheque]

"There!" said his majesty, crossing his cheque and throwing sand over
it, for blotting-paper had not yet been invented; "there, take _that_,
and be off with you!"

Prince Prigio was respectfully but rapidly obeying his royal command,
for he thought he had better cash the royal cheque as soon as possible,
when his majesty yelled:

"Hi! here! come back! I forgot something; you've got to marry Molinda!"

[Illustration: Chapter Sixteen]

CHAPTER XVI.--_A Melancholy Chapter_

THE prince had gone some way, when the king called after him. How he
wished he had the seven-league boots on, or that he had the cap of
darkness in his pocket! If he had been so lucky, he would now have got
back to Gluckstein, and crossed the border with Lady Rosalind. A million
of money may not seem much, but a pair of young people who really love
each other could live happily on less than the cheque he had in his
pocket. However, the king shouted very loud, as he always did when he
meant to be obeyed, and the prince sauntered slowly back again.

"Prigio!" said his majesty, "where were you off to? Don't you remember
that this is your wedding-day? My proclamation offered, not only the
money (which you have), but the hand of the Lady Molinda, which the
Court chaplain will presently make your own. I congratulate you, sir;
Molinda is a dear girl."

"I have the highest affection and esteem for my cousin, sir," said the
prince, "but:--"

"I'll never marry him!" cried poor Molinda, kneeling at the throne,
where her streaming eyes and hair made a pretty and touching picture.
"Never! I despise him!"

[Illustration: Page 84]

"I was about to say, sir," the prince went on, "that I cannot possibly
have the pleasure of wedding my cousin."

"The family gibbet, I presume, is in good working order?" asked the king
of the family executioner, a tall gaunt man in black and scarlet, who
was only employed in the case of members of the bloo