Stranica 213 [213]
KING BIZARRE AND PRINCE CHARMING
“Do no such thing!" returned the king. "If ever she
returns, do not frighten her; follow her and discover her
retreat. But where is she? Which way did she go? Lead
me; if I find her your fortune 15 made."
‘Sire,’ said the honest porter, looking at the moon,
“if the specter is anywhere, it must be up yonder; I saw
it, as plainly as I see Your Majesty, dissolving in mist.
But before taking flight it gave me a message for Your
Majesty."
“What? Speak quickly!”
“Sire, its words were terrible; I shall never dare repeat
them to Your Majesty."
“Speak, I order you.”
“Sire, the specter said, in a sepulchral voice, " Tell the
king that if he marries again he is a dead man. The loved
one will return. "
"Here," said the prince, whose eyes shone with a strange
luster, "take this purse. Henceforth I attach you to my
person; I appoint you my first attendant, counting on your
devotion and prudence. Let this affair remain a secret
between us."
“That makes two,’ murmured Rachimburg, as he de¬
parted with a firm tread, like a man who neither suffers
himself to be cast down by fear or dazzled by good fortune.
He was a strong-minded man.
The next morning the court gazette contained the fol¬
173