was very kind of you to return so soon to my poor castle," said the
king to Prince Marvel, in his sweet voice.

"We could not help it," laughed the prince, in reply; "for the road
wound right and left until we knew not which way we traveled; and then
it finally circled around again to your castle. But to-morrow we shall
seek a new path and bid you farewell forever."

"Still," remarked the king, gravely, "should you again miss your way, I
shall be glad to welcome your return."

The prince bowed politely by way of reply, and turned to address the
little maiden he had once saved from death by poison. And so in
feasting, dancing and laughter the evening passed pleasantly enough to
the prince, and it was late when he called Nerle to attend him to their
apartment.

12. The Gift of Beauty

The following morning Marvel and Nerle once more set out to leave the
Kingdom of Spor and its ugly king. They selected another pathway
leading from the castle and traveled all day, coming at nightfall into
view of the place whence they had started, with its solemn rows of
giants and Gray Men standing ready to receive them.

This repetition of their former experience somewhat annoyed the prince,
while Nerle's usually despondent face wore a smile.

"I see trouble ahead," murmured the esquire, almost cheerfully. "Since
the king can not conquer us by force he intends to do it by sorcery."

Marvel did not reply, but greeted the king quietly, while Terribus
welcomed their return as calmly as if he well knew they could not
escape him.

That evening the prince made another pass toward the king with his hand
and muttered again the magic word. Nerle was watching, and saw the
upper eye of Terribus glide still farther down his forehead and the
other eye move again toward the left. The swaying nose shrank to a few
inches in length, and the skin that had once been so brilliantly
crimson turned to a dull red color. This time the courtiers and ladies
in waiting also noticed the change in the king's features, but were
afraid to speak of it, as any reference to their monarch's personal
appearance was by law punishable by death. Terribus saw the startled
looks directed upon him, and raised his hand to feel of his nose and
eyes; but thinking that if any change in his appearance had taken
place, he must be uglier than before, he only frowned and turned away
his head.

The next day the king's guests made a third attempt to leave his
domi