“No!” he thundered, when the groom rode up to attend him on his journey. “No one comes with me! I ride alone!”
Through forest and dale, through valley, stream, and over stubble the king rode, on, and on, and on, until he came to the home of the enchanter, Herlo.
Thrice he knocked at the door, and a deep voice bade him enter.
“Good-day, Enchanter,” said the king, lifting the latch and entering; “I have come on a most important errand.”
“I know your errand,” replied Herlo; “you wish to gain the princess Viola for a wife, and you fear she will not love you enough to marry you.”
“How can she, when she sees my face?” said the king. “I have come to ask your help. Is there anything you can do for me?”
The enchanter stopped to think, then he raised his head and told the king, “Yes; I have a plan, but it needs your own help. I can change your features if you will do as I tell you.”
The king was very glad, and he promised to do everything the enchanter bade him do.
“Very well,” said Herlo. “I will make you a magic mask of thinnest wax. It will be exactly the shape of your face, and no one will know that you are wearing it except yourself. I will paint it with my magic paint so that your features will look kind and pleasant, instead of fierce and stern. I will fasten it upon your face so that you need never take it off.”
“Make it”—said the king, “as handsome and attractive as you possibly can, and I will pay you any price you ask.”