and
erudite men; and, for as much as the matter is difficult, they are
divided among themselves, and the staff whereon we leaned is broken.
Speak, therefore, your mind."

Then the President of the Council looked earnestly at Duke Deodonato,
but the Duke veiled his face with his hand.

"Answer truly," said he, "without fear or favor. So shall you fulfill
Our pleasure."

And the President, looking round upon the company, said:

"It is, your Highness, by all reasonable, honest, just, proper, and
honorable intendment, as good, sound, full, and explicit an offer of
marriage as hath ever been had in this duchy."

"So be it," said Duke Deodonato; and Dr. Fusbius smiled in triumph,
while the maiden grew pale again.

"And," pursued the President, "it binds, controls, and rules every man,
woman, and child in these your Highness' dominions, and hath the force
of law over all."

"So be it," said Deodonato again.

"Saving," added the President, "your Highness only."

There was a movement among the company.

"For," pursued the President, "by the ancient laws, customs, manners,
and observances of the Duchy, no decree or law shall in any way
whatsoever impair, alter, lessen, or derogate from the high rights,
powers, and prerogatives of your Highness, whom may Heaven long
preserve. Although, therefore, it be, by and pursuant to your
Highness' decree, the sure right of every man in this Duchy to be
accepted in marriage of any damsel whom he shall invite thereunto, yet
is this right in all respects subject to and controlled by the natural,
legal, inalienable, unalterable, and sovereign prerogative of your
Highness to marry what damsel soever it shall be your pleasure to bid
share your throne. Hence I, in obedience to your Highness' commands,
pronounce and declare that this damsel is lawfully and irrevocably
bound and affianced to the learned Dr. Fusbius, unless and until it
shall please your Highness yourself to demand her hand in marriage.
May what I have spoken please your Highness!" And the President sat
down.

Duke Deodonato sat a while in thought, and there was silence in the
hall. Then he spoke:

"Let all withdraw, saving the damsel only."

And they one and all withdrew, and Duke Deodonato was left alone with
the damsel.

Then he arose and gazed long on the damsel; but the damsel would not
look on Duke Deodonato.

"How are you called, lady?" asked Duke Deodonato.

"I am called Dulcissima," said she.

"W