And
so saying, he struck his heels into the faggot, and in a dashing gallop
he was quickly at home, with such a train of little boys at his heels
that if his mother had not been quick to shut the door they would soon
have killed him with the stones and sticks with which they pelted him.

Now came the question of marrying Vastolla to some great prince, and
her father invited all he knew to come and visit him and pay their
respects to the Princess. But she refused to have anything to say to
either of them, and only answered, "I will marry none but the young man
who rode on the faggot." So that the King got more and more angry with
every refusal, and at last he was quite unable to contain himself any
longer, and called his Council together and said, "You know by this
time how my honour has been shamed, and that my daughter has acted in
such a manner that all the chronicles will tell the story against me,
so now speak and advise me. I say that she is unworthy to live, seeing
that she has brought me into such discredit, and I wish to put her
altogether out of the world before she does more mischief." The
Councillors, who had in their time learned much wisdom, said, "Of a
truth she deserves to be severely punished. But, after all, it is this
audacious scoundrel who has give you the annoyance, and it is not right
that he should escape through the meshes of the net. Let us wait, then,
till he comes to light, and we discover the root of this disgrace, and
then we will think it over and resolve what were best to be done." This
counsel pleased the King, for he saw that they spoke like sensible,
prudent men, so he held his hand and said, "Let us wait and see the end
of this business."

So then the King made a great banquet, and invited every one of his
nobles and all the gentlemen in his kingdom to come to it, and set
Vastolla at the high table at the top of the hall, for, he said, "No
common man can have done this, and when she recognises the fellow we
shall see her eyes turn to him, and we will instantly lay hold on him
and put him out of the way." But when the feasting was done, and all
the guests passed out in a line, Vastolla took no more notice of them
than Alexander's bull-dog did of the rabbits; and the King grew more
angry than ever, and vowed that he would kill her without more delay.
Again, however, the Councillors pacified him and said, "Softly, softly,
your Majesty! quiet your wrath. Let us make another banquet to-mor