at the Princess would
return with him, that he made every preparation to receive her. The
ambassador arrived at the palace of the Princess with a hundred horses
and as many servants. With great ceremony, he presented the King's
gifts of pearls and diamonds, together with his message. The Princess,
however, did not favor the King's suit, and sent back his gifts with
a polite refusal. When the ambassador returned without the Princess,
every one blamed him for his failure; and the King's disappointment
was so great that no one could console him.

Now at the King's court was a young man so handsome and clever that he
was called Charming. Every one loved him, except some who were envious
because he was the King's favorite. One day Charming rashly remarked
that if the King had sent _him_ for the Princess, she would have
come back with him. His enemies at once went to the King and used the
remark to influence him against Charming.

"He thinks himself so handsome that the Princess could not have
resisted him, although she refused his King," they told his Majesty.

The boastful words so offended the King that he ordered Charming to be
shut up in the tower, where he had only straw to lie on and bread and
water to eat. In this miserable state he languished for some time, not
knowing why he had been imprisoned. One day the King happened to be
passing the tower and heard him exclaim:

"I am the King's most faithful subject; how have I incurred his
displeasure?" Then, in spite of the protests of Charming's enemies,
the King ordered the tower-door opened and Charming brought forth. His
old favorite sadly knelt and kissed his hand, saying:

"Sire, how have I offended?"

The King told him of the boast his enemies had repeated.

"True, Sire, I did say that had I been sent to plead your cause, it
would not have failed for lack of eloquence. Could the Princess see
you as my tongue would picture you, I would not return without her."

The King at once saw that he had been deceived, and restored Charming
to favor. While at supper that night, he confided to him that he was
as much in love with Goldilocks as ever, and could not be reconciled
to her answer.

"Do you think," asked the King, "that she could be induced to change
her mind?"

Charming replied that he was at the King's service and willing to
undertake the task of winning the Princess for him. The King was
delighted and offered him a splendid escort, but he asked only for a