sts of others, and so, as far as may be, unlearn
selfishness. Will you join me for this end?"

"That will I, with joy," answered the Hebrew with kindling eye; "but
your ambition soars high, prince. Have you spoken to Branwen on these
subjects?"

"Of course I have, and she, like a true woman, enters heartily into my
plans. Like myself, she does not think that being wedded and happy is
the great end of life, but only the beginning of it. When the wedding
is over, our minds will then be set free to devote ourselves to the
great work before us."

"And what duties in the work will fall to the lot of Branwen?" asked
Beniah, with an amused look.

"The duties of a wife, of course," returned the prince. "She will lend
a sympathetic ear to all plans and proposals; her ingenious imagination
will suggest ideas that might escape my grosser mind; her brilliant
fancy will produce combinations that my duller brain would never think
of; her hopeful spirit will encourage me to perseverance where accident
or disaster has a tendency to demoralise, and her loving spirit will
comfort me should failure, great or small, be permitted to overtake me.
All this, I admit, sounds very selfish, but you asked me what part
Branwen should play in regard to _my_ schemes. If you had asked me what
part I am to play in her life and work, the picture might be inverted to
some extent--for our lives will be mutual--though, of course, I can
never be to her what she will be to me."

With this exalted idea of the married state, Prince Bladud looked
forward to his wedding. Whether Dromas was imbued with similar ideas we
cannot tell; but of this we are sure, that he was equally devoted to the
princess--as far as outward appearance went--and he entered with keenest
zest and appreciation into the plans and aspirations of his friend, with
regard to the welfare of mankind in general, and the men of Albion in
particular.

Not many days after that there was a double wedding at Hudibras town,
which created a tremendous sensation throughout all the land. For,
although news travelled slowly in those days, the fame of Bladud and his
wonderful cure, and his great size and athletic powers, coupled with his
Eastern learning, and warlike attainments and peaceful proclivities, not
to mention the beauty and romantic adventures of his bride, had made
such an impression on what may be styled the whole nation, that noted
chiefs came from all parts far and near, to his