Oldal 228 [228]
LABOULAYE’S FAIRY BOOK
ereeted with shouts of enthusiasm, which, despite every¬
thing, thrilled his heart. Men tossed their caps in the air,
women waved their handkerchiefs, mothers lifted up their
children and made them stretch their innocent hands to
heaven, and repeat, “Hurrah for the king!” ‘The guns of
the palace guards were decked with flowers, the drums
beat, and the officers’ swords flashed in the sun. It was
a scene of delirious joy. Charming was infected by the
general emotion; he wept without exactly knowing why.
At that instant the clock struck noon. ‘The specter was
right—the prince was cured.
After the crowd it was the turn of the corporations, all of
whom, the ministers at the head, came to congratulate and
thank the king for having so well understood the wishes
of his faithful counselors. A single person was lacking,
namely, Wieduwillst. None knew where he had hidden
his ignorance and spite. A mysterious note received by
him that morning had occasioned his flight, yet this note
contained only the words, The king knows all! Who had
written this fatal letter? Not the prince; he alone, per¬
haps, in the palace, thought of the minister, and wondered
at not seeing him by his side.
All at once Tonto entered, pale and haggard. He ran to
the king and gave him a letter which an officer had brought
at full gallop. The governor of the province, General Bay¬
onet, sent terrible news; the six disbanded regiments had
186