"It can be no common prince, this, with such a jaw-breaking
name. Here Francesco, Rosa, wife, all of you! hurry, haste down stairs
as quickly as you can!"

The household were quickly astir, the doors were unbarred, and Gaspar
presented himself before the prince, who had just descended from the
carriage. The Russian lord--for any one would have known him as such by
his appearance--possessed a long beard, thick eyebrows, and eyes, whose
look was chiefly a chilly and impenetrable stare.

"He must be monstrous rich," thought Gaspar; "he has such a bearish way
with him."

The coachman, who seemed also to serve as interpreter, now addressed the
host in tolerable Italian, easy enough to be understood, though
interspersed now and then with some queer sounding words.

"The prince wishes to breakfast. Quick then! bring a turkey, a quart of
brandy, a cup of fat, a good cheese pie, and a reindeer's tongue."

The landlord was filled with astonishment and respect.

"O, servant of a mighty lord!" he said, "our larder is to-day somewhat
scant, for crowds of guests have scoured our house of all its choicest
fare. But we will give you the very best we have, if you will deign to
accept it."

The coachman seemed disturbed, but consulted the prince, who answered
him with a frown and a growl of foreign words.

"Mine host!" rejoined the interpreter, "the prince doth condescend to
accept. But be sure, whatever else fails, that the brandy is good."

The coachman and his master now engaged themselves in a harsh-sounding
conversation, wherein one would have judged that the vowels were far
less plentiful than the consonants. Near half an hour thus passed,
when--wondrous speed!--a half cooked fowl was placed on the table,
together with olives, grapes, and sour brown bread. The Russian lord
upon seeing this rare repast spread before him, gave vent to what
sounded very like a Sclavonic invective, but nevertheless plunged his
knife into the midst of the fowl, and carved and growled, and growled
and eat, apparently bent on the most murderous havoc. Meantime, his
servant turned to Gaspar.

"The prince hath heard one of your village youths, by name, Gulielmo
Massani, commended much for his high talent and great pictorial skill."

"Ah!" murmured Gaspar, to himself, "heard one ever such elegant
discourse?"

"The prince last evening met upon the road an old acquaintance, who told
him much concerning this lad; recounted his whole history, and t