nces as he met upon the road;
and as it is ill talking and progressing at the same time, he
soon brought himself to a full stop when he had occasion for
conference.

"The prince endured this for some time; at length putting his
head out of the window, he said, in the purest Tuscan,
'_Avanti! avanti! tirate via!_'

"'How much do you give for _buona-mano_?' answered the driver,
turning round upon his box.

"'Why do you speak to me of your _buona-mano_?' said the prince.
'I have given your master twelve piastres, on condition that it
should include every thing.'

"'The _buona-mano_ does not concern the master,' responded the
driver; 'how much do you give?'

"'Not a sou--I have paid.'

"'Then, your excellence, we will continue our walk.'

"'Your master has engaged to take me to Florenco in six hours,'
said the Prince.

"'Where is the paper that says that--the written paper, your
excellence?'

"'Paper! what need of a paper for so simple a matter? I have no
paper.'

"'Then, your excellence, we will continue our walk.'

"'Ah, we will see that!' said the Prince.

"'Yes, we _will_ see that!' said the driver.

"Hereupon the prince spoke to his German servant, Frantz, who
was sitting beside the coachman, and bade him administer due
correction to this refractory fellow.

"Frantz descended from the voiture without uttering a word,
pulled down the driver from his seat, and pummelled him with
true German gravity. Then pointing to the road, helped him on
his box, and reseated himself by his side. The driver
proceeded--a little slower than before. One wearies of all
things in this world, even of beating a coachman. The prince,
reasoning with himself that, fast or slow, he must at length
arrive at his journey's end, counselled the princess his mother
to compose herself to sleep; and, burying himself in one corner
of the carriage, gave her the example.

"The driver occupied six hours in going from Livorno to
Pontedera; just four hours more than was necessary. Arrived at
Pontedera, he invited the Prince to descend, as he was about to
change the carriage.

"'But,' said the Prince, 'I have given twelve piastres to your
master on condition that the carriage should not be changed.'

"'Where is the paper?'

"'Fellow, you know I have none.'