ere is always one thing that is sure to
be said about an event by everybody, and Prince Mannikin found that
the question which he was asked by more than a thousand people on this
particular occasion was:

'And didn't you find it very cold?'

The King had come to request Prince Mannikin and the Princess to follow
him to the Council Chamber, which they did, not knowing that he meant to
present the Prince to all the nobles assembled there as his son-in-law
and successor. But when Mannikin perceived his intention, he begged
permission to speak first, and told his whole story, even to the fact
that he believed himself to be a peasant's son. Scarcely had he finished
speaking when the sky grew black, the thunder growled, and the lightning
flashed, and in the blaze of light the good Fairy Genesta suddenly
appeared. Turning to Prince Mannikin, she said:

'I am satisfied with you, since you have shown not only courage but a
good heart.' Then she addressed King Farda-Kinbras, and informed him of
the real history of the Prince, and how she had determined to give
him the education she knew would be best for a man who was to command
others. 'You have already found the advantage of having a faithful
friend,' she added to the Prince 'and now you will have the pleasure
of seeing King Bayard and his subjects regain their natural forms as a
reward for his kindness to you.'

Just then arrived a chariot drawn by eagles, which proved to contain the
foolish King and Queen, who embraced their long-lost son with great
joy, and were greatly struck with the fact that they did indeed find
him covered with fur! While they were caressing Sabella and wringing
her hands (which is a favourite form of endearment with foolish
people) chariots were seen approaching from all points of the compass,
containing numbers of Fairies.

'Sire,' said Genesta to Farda-Kinbras, 'I have taken the liberty of
appointing your Court as a meeting-place for all the Fairies who could
spare the time to come; and I hope you can arrange to hold the great
ball, which we have once in a hundred years, on this occasion.'

The King having suitably acknowledged the honour done him, was next
reconciled to Gorgonzola, and they two presently opened the ball
together. The Fairy Marsontine restored their natural forms to King
Bayard and all his subjects, and he appeared once more as handsome a
king as you could wish to see. One of the Fairies immediately despatched
her chariot for