r he had been
married for many years, and was quite an old man, his wife Renzolla
presented him with a fine daughter, whom they called Cannetella.

She grew up into a beautiful girl, and was as tall and straight as a
young fir-tree. When she was eighteen years old her father called her to
him and said: 'You are of an age now, my daughter, to marry and settle
down; but as I love you more than anything else in the world, and desire
nothing but your happiness, I am determined to leave the choice of a
husband to yourself. Choose a man after your own heart, and you are sure
to satisfy me.' Cannetella thanked her father very much for his kindness
and consideration, but told him that she had not the slightest wish to
marry, and was quite determined to remain single.

The king, who felt himself growing old and feeble, and longed to see an
heir to the throne before he died, was very unhappy at her words, and
begged her earnestly not to disappoint him.

When Cannetella saw that the king had set his heart on her marriage, she
said: 'Very well, dear father, I will marry to please you, for I do not
wish to appear ungrateful for all your love and kindness; but you must
find me a husband handsomer, cleverer, and more charming than anyone
else in the world.'

The king was overjoyed by her words, and from early in the morning
till late at night he sat at the window and looked carefully at all the
passers-by, in the hopes of finding a son-in-law among them.

One day, seeing a very good-looking man crossing the street, the king
called his daughter and said: 'Come quickly, dear Cannetella, and look
at this man, for I think he might suit you as a husband.'

They called the young man into the palace, and set a sumptuous feast
before him, with every sort of delicacy you can imagine. In the middle
of the meal the youth let an almond fall out of his mouth, which,
however, he picked up again very quickly and hid under the table-cloth.

When the feast was over the stranger went away, and the king asked
Cannetella: 'Well, what did you think of the youth?'

'I think he was a clumsy wretch,' replied Cannetella. 'Fancy a man of
his age letting an almond fall out of his mouth!'

When the king heard her answer he returned to his watch at the window,
and shortly afterwards a very handsome young man passed by. The king
instantly called his daughter to come and see what she thought of the
new comer.

'Call him in,' said Cannetella, 'that we may