oman
marries."

"Ex vi terminorum," assented the Doctor.

"But, sir," said the President, "there are more women than men in the
Duchy."

Duke Deodonato threw down his pen. "This is very provoking," said he.
"Why was it allowed? I'm sure it happened before _I_ came to the
throne."

The Doctor was about to point out that it could hardly have been
guarded against, when the President (who was a better courtier)
anticipated him.

"We did not foresee that your Highness, in your Highness's wisdom,
would issue this decree," he said humbly.

"True," said Duke Deodonato, who was a just man.

"Would your Highness vouchsafe any explanation--?"

"What are the Judges for?" asked Duke Deodonato. "There is the law--let
them interpret it."

Whereupon the Judges held that a 'man' was not a 'woman' and that
although every man must marry, no woman need.

"It will make no difference," said the President.

"None at all," said Dr. Fusbius.

Nor, perhaps, would it, seeing that women are ever kind, and in no way
by nature averse from marriage, had it not become known that Duke
Deodonato himself intended to choose a wife from the ladies of his own
dominions, and to choose her (according to the advice of Dr. Fusbius,
who, in truth, saw little whither his counsel would in the end carry
the Duke) without regard to such adventitious matters as rank or
wealth, and purely for her beauty, talent, and virtue. Which resolve
being proclaimed, straightway all the ladies of the Duchy, of
whatsoever station, calling, age, appearance, wit, or character,
conceiving each of them that she, and no other, should become the
Duchess, sturdily refused all offers of marriage (although they were
many of them as desperately enamored as virtuous ladies may be), and
did nought else than walk, drive, ride, and display their charms in the
park before the windows of the ducal palace. And thus it fell out that
when a week had gone by, no man had obeyed Duke Deodonato's decree, and
they were, from sheer want of brides, like to fall into contempt of the
law and under the high displeasure of the Duke.

Upon this the President and Dr. Fusbius sought audience of his
Highness, and humbly laid before him the unforeseen obstacle which had
occurred.

"Woman is ever ambitious," said Dr. Fusbius.

"Nay," corrected the President, "they have seen his Highness's person
as his Highness has ridden through the city."

Duke Deodonato threw down his pen.

"This is very