ife." So saying, the dove flew away
quickly and vanished like the wind. The Prince, hearing the murmuring
of the dove, stood for a while stupefied. At length, he inquired whence
the pie came, and when the carver told him that a scullion boy who had
been taken to assist in the kitchen had made it, he ordered him to be
brought into the room. Then Filadoro, throwing herself at the feet of
Nardo Aniello, shedding a torrent of tears, said merely, "What have I
done to you?" Whereupon the Prince at once recalled to mind the
engagement he had made with her; and, instantly raising her up, seated
her by his side, and when he related to his mother the great obligation
he was under to this beautiful maiden and all that she had done for
him, and how it was necessary that the promise he had given should be
fulfilled, his mother, who had no other joy in life than her son, said
to him, "Do as you please, so that you offend not this lady whom I have
given you to wife." "Be not troubled," said the lady, "for, to tell the
truth, I am very loth to remain in this country; with your kind
permission I wish to return to my dear Flanders." Thereupon the Prince
with great joy offered her a vessel and attendants; and, ordering
Filadoro to be dressed like a Princess, when the tables were removed,
the musicians came and they began the ball which lasted until evening.

So the feast being now ended, they all betook themselves to rest, and
the Prince and Filadoro lived happily ever after, proving the truth of
the proverb that--

"He who stumbles and does not fall,
Is helped on his way like a rolling ball."

XVII

CANNETELLA

It is an evil thing to seek for better than wheaten bread, for a man
comes at last to desire what others throw away, and must content
himself with honesty. He who loses all and walks on the tops of the
trees has as much madness in his head as danger under his feet, as was
the case with the daughter of a King whose story I have now to tell you.

There was once on a time a King of High-Hill who longed for children
more than the porters do for a funeral that they may gather wax. And at
last his wife presented him with a little girl, to whom he gave the
name Cannetella.

The child grew by hands, and when she was as tall as a pole the King
said to her, "My daughter, you are now grown as big as an oak, and it
is full time to provide you with a husband worthy of that pretty face.
Since, therefore, I love you as my