ottle; and setting off again she stayed not till she came to
Big Valley, where she went straightway to the royal palace, and sent
word that she was come to cure the Prince.

Then the King ordered her to be brought before him, and he was
astonished at seeing a girl undertake a thing which the best doctors in
his kingdom had failed to do. However, a trial could do no harm; and so
he said he wished greatly to see the experiment made. But Grannonia
answered, "If I succeed, you must promise to give him to me for a
husband." The King, who looked on his son to be even as already dead,
answered her, "If you give him to me safe and sound, I will give him to
you sound and safe; for it is no great matter to give a husband to her
that gives me a son."

So they went to the chamber of the Prince, and hardly had she anointed
him with the blood, when he found himself just as if nothing had ever
ailed him. Grannonia, when she saw the Prince stout and hearty, bade
the King keep his word; whereupon he, turning to his son, said, "My
son, a moment ago you were all but dead, and now I see you alive, and
can hardly believe it. Therefore, as I have promised this maiden that
if she cured you she should have you for a husband, now enable me to
perform my promise, by all the love you bear me, since gratitude
obliges me to pay this debt."

When the Prince heard these words, he said, "Sir, I would that I was
free to prove to you the love I bear you. But as I have already pledged
my faith to another woman, you would not consent that I should break my
word, nor would this maiden wish that I should do such a wrong to her
whom I love; nor can I, indeed, alter my mind!"

Grannonia, hearing this, felt a secret pleasure not to be described at
finding herself still alive in the memory of the Prince. Her whole face
became crimson as she said, "If I could induce this maiden to resign
her claims, would you then consent to my wish?" "Never," replied the
Prince, "will I banish from this breast the fair image of her whom I
love. I shall ever remain of the same mind and will; and I would sooner
see myself in danger of losing my place at the table of life than play
so mean a trick!"

Grannonia could no longer disguise herself, and discovered to the
Prince who she was; for, the chamber having been darkened on account of
the wound in his head, he had not known her. But the Prince, now that
he recognised her, embraced her with a joy that would amaze you,
tellin