s contents must be kept a
profound secret until they could decide what reply should be sent, but
Mousta contrived to send word of all that had passed to Prince Mannikin.
He was naturally alarmed and indignant, and, after thinking it over a
little, he begged an audience of the Princess, and led the conversation
so cunningly up to the subject that was uppermost in her thoughts, as
well as his own, that she presently told him all about the matter and
asked his advice as to what it would be best to do. This was exactly
what he had not been able to decide for himself; however, he replied
that he should advise her to gain a little time by promising her answer
after the grand entry of the Ambassador, and this was accordingly done.

The Ambassador did not at all like being put off after that fashion, but
he was obliged to be content, and only said very arrogantly that so soon
as his equipages arrived, as he expected they would do very shortly,
he would give all the people of the city, and the stranger Princes with
whom it was inundated, an idea of the power and the magnificence of his
master. Mannikin, in despair, resolved that he would for once beg the
assistance of the kind Fairy Genesta. He often thought of her and always
with gratitude, but from the moment of his setting out he had determined
to seek her aid only on the greatest occasions. That very night, when he
had fallen asleep quite worn out with thinking over all the difficulties
of the situation, he dreamed that the Fairy stood beside him, and said:

'Mannikin, you have done very well so far; continue to please me and
you shall always find good friends when you need them most. As for this
affair with the Ambassador, you can assure Sabella that she may look
forward tranquilly to his triumphal entry, since it will all turn out
well for her in the end.'

The Prince tried to throw himself at her feet to thank her, but woke to
find it was all a dream; nevertheless he took fresh courage, and went
next day to see the Princess, to whom he gave many mysterious assurances
that all would yet be well. He even went so far as to ask her if she
would not be very grateful to anyone who would rid her of the insolent
Brandatimor. To which she replied that her gratitude would know no
bounds. Then he wanted to know what would be her best wish for the
person who was lucky enough to accomplish it. To which she said that she
would wish them to be as insensible to the folly called 'love' a