e more
the great story of his adventures.

"Well, well," said the King at the end of it, when he had received
their tribute of admiration. "Those are just a few of the little
adventures that happen in war time." He turned to Coronel. "And so
you, I understand, wish to marry my daughter?"

"Does that surprise your Majesty?"

"Well, no, it doesn't. And she, I understand, wishes to marry you."

"Yes, please, Father."

"That," said Coronel simply, "is much more surprising."

Merriwig, however, was not so sure of that. He liked the look of
Coronel, he liked his manner, and he saw at once that he knew a good
story--when he heard one.

"Of course," he said, "you'll have to win her."

"Anything your Majesty sets me to do. It's as well," he added with a
disarming smile, "that you cannot ask for the whiskers of the King of
Barodia. There is only one man who could have got those."

Truly an excellent young man.

"Well, we'll arrange something," said Merriwig, looking pleased.
"Perhaps your Prince Udo would care to be a competitor too."

Hyacinth and Coronel interchanged a smile.

"Alas, Father," she said, "his Royal Highness is not attracted by my
poor charms."

"Wait till he has seen them, my dear," said Merriwig with a chuckle.

"He has seen them, Father."

"What? You invited him here? Tell me about this, Hyacinth. He came
to stay with you and he never----"

"His Royal Highness," put in Coronel, "has given his affections to
another."

"Aha! So that's the secret. Now I wonder if I can guess who she is.
What do you say to the Princess Elvira of Tregong? I know his father
had hopes in that direction."

Hyacinth looked round at Coronel as if appealing for his support. He
took a step towards her.

"No, it's not the Princess Elvira," said Hyacinth, a little nervously.

The King laughed good-humouredly.

"Ah, well, you must tell me," he said.

Hyacinth put out her hand, and Coronel pressed it encouragingly.

"His Royal Highness Prince Udo," she said, "is marrying the Countess
Belvane."

CHAPTER XXI

A SERPENT COMING AFTER UDO

Belvane had now had twenty-four hours in which to think it over.

Whatever her faults, she had a sense of humour. She could not help
smiling to herself as she thought of that scene in the garden.
However much she regretted her too hasty engagement, she was sure Udo
regretted it still more. If she gave him the least opportunity he
would draw back from it.