nd on hearing the grumbles of the citizens that Lino
showed no signs of taking a wife, the good man resolved that _he_
would try his hand at match-making. 'For,' he said, 'if there is any
one living who is worthy of the Princess Hermosa he is to be found
here. At any rate, I can but try and bring them together.'

Now, of course, it was not proper to offer the princess in marriage,
and the difficulty was to work upon the unconscious king so as to get
the proposal to come from _him_. But the ambassador was well used to
the ways of courts, and after several conversations on the art of
painting, which Lino loved, he led the talk to portraits, and
mentioned carelessly that a particularly fine picture had lately been
made of his own princess. 'Though, as for a likeness,' he concluded,
'perhaps it is hardly as good as this small miniature, which was
painted a year ago.'

The king took it, and looked at it closely.

'Ah!' he sighed, 'that must be flattered! It cannot be possible that
any woman should be such a miracle of beauty.'

'If you could only see her,' answered the ambassador.

The king did not reply, but the ambassador was not at all surprised
when, the following morning, he was sent for into the royal presence.

'Since you showed me that picture,' began Lino, almost before the door
was shut, 'I have not been able to banish the face of the princess
from my thoughts. I have summoned you here to inform you that I am
about to send special envoys to the court of the Swan fairy, asking
her daughter in marriage.'

'I cannot, as you will understand, speak for my mistress in so
important a matter,' replied the ambassador, stroking his beard in
order to conceal the satisfaction he felt. 'But I know that she will
certainly be highly gratified at your proposal.'

'If that is so,' cried the king, his whole face beaming with joy,
'then, instead of sending envoys, I will go myself, and take you with
me. In three days my preparations will be made, and we will set out.'

* * * * *

Unluckily for Lino, he had for his neighbour on the other side a
powerful magician named Ismenor, who was king of the Isle of Lions,
and the father of a hideous daughter, whom he thought the most
beautiful creature that ever existed. Riquette, for such was her name,
had also fallen in love with a portrait, but it was of King Lino, and
she implored her father to give him to her for a husband. Ismenor, who
considered