iness man; he thought too much of other
people and not enough of his family.'

"The Prince looked at his Adherent, and the latter shook his head
violently.

"'It is impossible,' said Prince Ferrando; 'I cannot pay such a sum as
that'; and he rose to go.

"'Of course,' said the Dowager, hastily, 'if you think that is too much,
and that you would not be able to pay it, I might take off something in
your case. I would not do this for everybody, but as it is you, I will
take off one per cent. of the amount I have named.'

"For a moment Ferrando stood undecided. He greatly wanted the
principality; he would be homeless and forlorn without one; and yet this
Dowager was asking him a most outrageous price.

"'I will consider this matter,' said he, 'and if you will give me the
refusal of the principality for twenty-four hours I will see you again
to-morrow.'

"The Dowager considered this request as favorable to her interests, and,
fearing that she had asked him too little, she added: 'Of course, in
case of a reduction like this, it must be stipulated in the lease that I
reserve some rooms in the palace where I shall board at your expense.
You cannot expect me to accept a reduced rent, and to be turned out of
my house besides.'

"The Prince bowed; and, without reply, he and his Adherent left the
palace, followed by the eager, wistful glances of the Dowager. When they
reached the inn the Prince said to his Single Adherent:

"'I am greatly troubled, and I wish I had the advice of that good
hermit. I will write a letter to him, and you shall take it. But you
must not walk that long distance; to-morrow you will hire a vehicle and
go to the hermit.'

"The Prince wrote his letter, and the Adherent took it to the hermit.
The good man and his daughter read it with the greatest interest, and
retired to the back of the cave to consider it. Presently the hermit
approached the Single Adherent. 'Is there room in your vehicle for three
persons?' said he. Receiving an affirmative answer, he continued: 'Then
my daughter and I will go back with you. We think the Prince is in
danger of making a very bad bargain; and as we know a great deal about
these things, we believe that our presence and advice will be of great
advantage to him.'

"So, after the horse had all the water-cress it could eat, the little
party started back to the city."

"They must have been the first real-estate agents," remarked the Master
of the House.

Pomona wa