o day. And, on the penalty of my displeasure, you must not
make the same dish twice, during his stay here. My treasurer will
supply you with all the money you may want for this purpose. And even
though you be forced to cook gold and diamonds in lard, do it! I would
rather be ruined than put to the blush before him."

Thus spake the duke; and the dwarf replied with a low obeisance: "It
shall be as you say, my master; God willing, I will so provide that
this prince of epicures shall be satisfied."

The little cook put forth all his skill. He spared neither his master's
money nor himself. And he might be seen the livelong day in the midst
of clouds of smoke and flame, while his voice sounded constantly
through the kitchen, as he ordered the under-cooks and scullions about
like a prince. (Sire, I might imitate the camel-drivers of Aleppo, who,
in relating their stories to the travellers, make their heroes sit
down to the most sumptuous banquets. They will use a whole hour in
their description of the food with which the table is supplied, and
thereby create such ardent longings and uncontrollable hunger in
their hearers that the caravans are constantly halting for a meal, and
the camel-drivers come in for a full share of the provisions so
involuntarily opened. I say I might imitate them, but I will not.)

The duke's guest had now been fourteen days with him, and had been well
entertained. They ate not less than five times a day, and the duke was
contented with the skill of his dwarf, for he saw satisfaction on the
brow of his guest. But on the fifteenth day, it happened that the duke
sent for the dwarf while they sat at table, and presented him to his
guest, with the inquiry how the dwarf's cooking had pleased him.

"You are a marvelous cook," replied the prince, "and know what
constitutes good cheer. In all the time I have been here, you have not
given us the same dish twice, and every thing has been well prepared.
But tell me why it is you have let so long a time pass without
producing the queen of dishes, the Pastry Souzeraine?"

The dwarf was all of a tremble, for he had never heard of this queen of
pastries; but still he recovered himself, and replied: "O Sire! I had
hoped that the light of your countenance would be shed on this palace
for many days yet; therefore I delayed this dish; for what could be a
more appropriate compliment from the cook on the day of your departure,
than the queen of the pastries?"

"Inde