d that he was now
going to make an end of the war and utterly vanquish Farda-Kinbras. But
no sooner had he given the order to charge than the Spaniels, who had
mingled with his troops unperceived, leaped each upon the horse nearest
to him, and not only threw the whole squadron into confusion by the
terror they caused, but, springing at the throats of the riders,
unhorsed many of them by the suddenness of their attack; then turning
the horses to the rear, they spread consternation everywhere, and made
it easy for Prince Mannikin to gain a complete victory. He met
Brandatimor in single combat, and succeeded in taking him prisoner; but
he did not live to reach the Court, to which Mannikin had sent him: his
pride killed him at the thought of appearing before Sabella under these
altered circumstances. In the meantime Prince Fadasse and all the others
who had remained behind were setting out with all speed for the conquest
of the Ice Mountain, being afraid that Prince Mannikin might prove as
successful in that as he seemed to be in everything else, and when
Mannikin returned he heard of it with great annoyance. True he had been
serving the Princess, but she only admired and praised him for his
gallant deeds, and seemed no whit nearer bestowing on him the love he so
ardently desired, and all the comfort Mousta could give him on the
subject was that at least she loved no one else, and with that he had
to content himself. But he determined that, come what might, he would
delay no longer, but attempt the great undertaking for which he had come
so far. When he went to take leave of the King and Queen they entreated
him not to go, as they had just heard that Prince Fadasse, and all who
accompanied him, had perished in the snow; but he persisted in his
resolve. As for Sabella, she gave him her hand to kiss with precisely
the same gracious indifference as she had given it to him the first time
they met. It happened that this farewell took place before the whole
Court, and so great a favourite had Prince Mannikin become that they
were all indignant at the coldness with which the Princess treated him.

[Illustration]

Finally the King said to him:

'Prince, you have constantly refused all the gifts which, in my
gratitude for your invaluable services, I have offered to you, but I
wish the Princess to present you with her cloak of marten's fur, and
_that_ I hope you will not reject!' Now this was a splendid fur mantle
which the Prince