“For you are brave!” said Molinda, feeling quite a respect for him.
“But neither your heart nor mine is ours to give. Since mine was another’s, I understand too well the feeling of yours! Do not let us buy life at the price of happiness and honour.”
Then, turning to the king, the prince said:
“Sir, is there no way but by death or marriage?
You say you cannot keep half only of your promise; and that, if I accept the reward, I must also unite myself with my unwilling cousin. Cannot the whole proclamation be annulled, and will you consider the bargain void if I tear up this flimsy scroll?”
And here the prince fluttered the cheque for £1,000,000 in the air.
For a moment the king was tempted; but then he said to himself:
“Never mind, it’s only an extra penny on the income-tax.” Then, “Keep your dross,” he shouted, meaning the million; “but let me keep my promise. To chapel at once, or—” and he pointed to the executioner. “The word of a king of Pantouflia is sacred.”
“And so is that of a crown prince,” answered Prigio; “and mine is pledged to a lady.”
“She shall be a mourning bride,” cried the