y dress, and said: "Without
doubt you must be the devil in man's form!"

"Certainly I am a devilkin; you called me, and on your summons I came.
I will serve you, and marry you to Mistafor's daughter." "How is that
possible?" said Goria: "I am known down yonder by every one--the very
dogs know me." But the stranger replied: "Nay, it is not so. No one, I
promise, will recognise you: every one will mistake you for Prince
Dardavan, to whom Mistafor's daughter Dogada is betrothed."

"Good, very good," said Goria, "if what you say prove true." "It shall
all come to pass as I have said," replied the other. And thereupon the
stranger desired Goria to go three steps backward and shut his eyes,
and then open them again. On a sudden Goria saw before him a splendid
palace of white marble, and in amazement, he exclaimed: "You are in
truth the devil himself, and no man, to do such marvellous things!"

"I tell the truth, you see, and do not deceive you," replied the
stranger; "and now I make you a present of this marble palace, and
will remain with you and serve you faithfully. Call me Prituitshkin!"

Thereupon the servant conducted his new master Goria, the shoemaker,
into the courtyard, where he beheld a great throng of servants,
horses, and carriages, in the most splendid array; and the servants
all made their obeisance to him, as to the Prince, and the musicians
played on all sorts of instruments; and when the music ceased, Goria
the shoemaker went into the marble palace, where he saw a table
covered with all kinds of dishes; so he seated himself at the table,
ate and drank his fill, and lived in this palace like a great man.

Meanwhile Prince Dardavan, after his betrothal with Dogada, was
travelling on business to another city; and the trusty servant
Prituitshkin thought this a favourable opportunity to marry Goria the
shoemaker to Dogada. So he went to his master, the shoemaker, and
said: "Now is the time to settle this affair; we must contrive that
Mistafor takes you for Dardavan." So saying, he went out in front of
the marble palace, raised a large tent, and ordered all the musicians
to strike up. When Mistafor heard such a variety of beautiful sounds
he bethought himself that Prince Dardavan must be arrived, and sent to
inquire. As soon as he was informed that the supposed Prince Dardavan
had arrived, he sent a number of his people to invite his dear
son-in-law to a feast. Then the messengers went to Goria, bowed humbly