ast of the Princess who would suit you," they said
to him. "She is so beautiful that the trees stop gossiping and the
flowers stop breathing when she passes by; and she is so silent that if
it were not for the wonderful expression in her eyes it would be
impossible to hold any conversation with her at all."

"Ah," said King Grumbelo, nodding his royal head approvingly; "and is
she very foolish as well?"

"That she must be, your Majesty," said the Comptroller of Whole
Holidays, looking nervously towards the Professor of Practical Jokes,
"because, your Majesty,--well, because--"

"Because she has refused to have anything to do with your Majesty,"
boldly interrupted the Professor.

"What?" cried the King, astounded. "She does not _wish_ to be my
Queen?"

"Not exactly that, your Majesty," stammered the Comptroller of Whole
Holidays; "but she declares she could never marry any one who--who--"

"Who has so ridiculous a name as your Majesty!" said the Professor of
Practical Jokes without a moment's hesitation.

King Grumbelo stepped down from his throne and merely smiled.

"That is of no consequence," he observed. "Evidently she knows nothing
about me except my unfortunate name, and that I certainly did not give
myself. Tell me at once where this wonderful Princess is to be found."

"That is exactly what we do not know, your Majesty," they confessed,
reluctantly. "As soon as the Princess heard that your Majesty wished
to make her a Queen she fled from the country, and we have not been
able to discover where she has hidden herself!"

"No matter," said King Grumbelo, actually omitting to scold them for
their stupidity; "it is never difficult to find the most beautiful
Princess in the world! Bring me my horse at once; you can make ready
for the royal wedding as soon as you please."

The country was very badly governed while the King was away; but it was
certainly not dull. Every person in the kingdom was occupied in making
preparations for the royal wedding, and it was going to be such a
particularly grand royal wedding that the people were kept thoroughly
amused by looking forward to it alone. When, however, the last touch
had been put to the preparations, and there was positively nothing left
for any one to do, the people began to grumble. It was clear that
there could not be a marriage if nobody was there to be married, and no
tidings had been received of King Grumbelo since he rode away to fetch
his brid