ust the same as at a grand
wedding-feast. Sleepy Tony, who had eaten nothing for several days
before, now set to work in earnest, and ate his fill, after which he
laid down on the bed to digest it. When he got up again, the
waiting-maids came back, and invited his lordship to take a walk in the
garden while her ladyship was dressing. He heard himself called "your
lordship" so often, that he already began to feel himself such in
reality, and forgot his former station.

In the garden he met with beauty and elegance at every step; gold and
silver apples glittered among the green leaves, and even the fir and
pine cones were of gold, while birds of golden plumage hopped among the
twigs and branches. Two maids came from behind a bush, who were
commissioned to show his lordship round the garden, and to point out all
its beauties. They went farther, and reached the edge of a pond where
silver-feathered geese and swans were swimming. A rosy flush as of dawn
filled all the sky, but the sun was not visible. The bushes were covered
with flowers which exhaled a delicious odour, and bees as large as
hornets flew among the flowers. All the flowers and shrubs which our
friend beheld here were far more beautiful than he had ever seen before.
Presently two elegantly dressed girls appeared, who invited his lordship
to meet her ladyship, who was expecting him. But first they threw a blue
silken shawl over his shoulders. Who would have recognised the former
Sleepy Tony in such a guise?

In a beautiful hall, as large as a church, and built of glass like the
bedroom, sat twelve fair maidens on silver chairs.[31] Against the wall
behind them was a dais on which two golden thrones were placed. On one
throne sat the august queen, and the other was unoccupied. When Sleepy
Tony crossed the threshold, all the maidens rose from their seats and
saluted him respectfully, and did not sit down again until desired to do
so. The lady herself remained seated, bent her head to the youth in
salutation, and signed with her finger, upon which Sleepy Tony's
attendants took him between them, and conducted him to their mistress.
The youth advanced with faltering steps, and did not venture to lift his
eyes, for he was dazzled with all the unaccustomed splendour and
magnificence. He was shown to his place on the golden throne next to the
lady, and she said, "This young man is my beloved bridegroom, to whom I
have plighted myself, and whom I have accepted as my con