that no man lived who was worthy of his treasure, was about
to send his chief minister to King Lino on this mission, when the news
reached him that the king had already started for the court of the
Swan fairy. Riquette was thrown into transports of grief, and implored
her father to prevent the marriage, which Ismenor promised to do; and
calling for an ugly and humpbacked little dwarf named Rabot, he
performed some spells which transported them quickly to a rocky valley
through which the king and his escort were bound to pass. When the
tramp of horses was heard, the magician took out an enchanted
handkerchief, which rendered invisible any one who touched it. Giving
one end to Rabot, and holding the other himself, they walked unseen
amongst the horsemen, but not a trace of Lino was to be found. And
this was natural enough, because the king, tired out with the
excitement and fatigue of the last few days, had bidden the heavy
coaches, laden with presents for the princess, to go forwards, while
he rested under the palms with a few of his friends. Here Ismenor
beheld them, all sound asleep; and casting a spell which prevented
their waking till he wished them to do so, he stripped the king of all
his clothes and dressed him in those of Rabot, whom he touched with
his ring, saying:

'Take the shape of Lino until you have wedded the daughter of the Swan
fairy.'

And so great was the magician's power that Rabot positively believed
himself to be really the king!

When the groom had mounted Lino's horse, and had ridden out of sight,
Ismenor aroused the king, who stared with astonishment at the dirty
garments in which he was dressed; but before he had time to look about
him, the magician caught him up in a cloud, and carried him off to his
daughter.

Meantime Rabot had come up with the others, who never guessed for a
moment that he was not their own master.

'I am hungry,' said he, 'give me something to eat at once.'

'May it please your majesty,' answered the steward, 'the tents are not
even set up, and it will be at least an hour before your supper is
served! We thought----'

'Who taught you to think?' interrupted the false king rudely. 'You are
nothing but a fool! Get me some horse's flesh directly--it is the best
meat in the world!'

The steward could hardly believe his ears. King Lino, the most polite
man under the sun, to speak to his faithful servant in such a manner!
And to want horse's flesh too! Why he was so de