when the grand ball-room was lighted up and the musicians played sweet
music, none was so graceful in the dance as the fairy prince.

Nerle soon tired of the games and dancing, for he had been accustomed
to them at his father's castle; and moreover he was shy in the society
of ladies; so before many weeks had passed he began to mope and show a
discontented face.

One day the prince noticed his esquire's dismal expression of
countenance, and asked the cause of it.

"Why," said Nerle, "here I have left my home to seek worries and
troubles, and have found but the same humdrum life that existed at my
father's castle. Here our days are made smooth and pleasant, and there
is no excitement or grief, whatever. You have become a carpet-knight,
Prince Marvel, and think more of bright eyes than of daring deeds. So,
if you will release me from your service I will seek further
adventures."

"Nay," returned the prince, "we will go together; for I, too, am tired
of this life of pleasure."

So next morning Marvel sought the presence of King Terribus and said:

"I have come to bid your Majesty adieu, for my esquire and I are about
to leave your dominions."

At first the king laughed, and his long nose began to sway from side to
side. Then, seeing the prince was in earnest, his Majesty frowned and
grew disturbed. Finally he said:

"I must implore you to remain my guests a short time longer. No one
has ever before visited me in my mountain home, and I do not wish to
lose the pleasure of your society so soon."

"Nevertheless, we must go," answered the prince, briefly.

"Are you not contented?" asked Terribus. "Ask whatever you may desire,
and it shall be granted you."

"We desire adventures amid new scenes," said Marvel, "and these you can
not give us except by permission to depart."

Seeing his guest was obstinate the king ceased further argument and
said:

"Very well; go if you wish. But I shall hope to see you return to us
this evening."

The prince paid no heed to this peculiar speech, but left the hall and
hurried to the courtyard of the castle, where Nerle was holding the
horses in readiness for their journey.

Standing around were many rows and files of the Gray Men, and when they
reached the marble roadway they found it lined with motionless forms of
the huge giants. But no one interfered with them in any way, although
both Prince Marvel and Nerle knew that every eye followed them as they
rode forward