The giant could scarcely suppress a laugh. "I think," said he, dryly, "that walking would be an easier mode of travelling. With your permission, I shall accompany you on foot."
GOFASTER ESCORTED TO THE KING'S PALACE.
The party then set out, and made their way through the town to the royal palace. Curious crowds lined the narrow streets, and were with difficulty kept back by the police, so eager were they to see this gigantic stranger.
"Count," said the monarch, as he received him in the palace, "we have sent for you because we were impatient to thank you in this public manner for the service you so promptly rendered to our person, and to welcome to our Court a nobleman whom we hope to see one of its chiefest ornaments. Let me present you to Count Snarlitz, our Prime-minister."
Gofaster and Snarlitz bowed to each other, the former with good-humor, and the latter with a sneer on his lip and a twinkle of ill will in his eye which the giant did not fail to recognize.
"In faith," said the giant to himself, "I feel this to be an enemy, and will have to be on guard. He fears that I will be a favorite, and may interfere with his hold on the King."
The King now descended from his throne, followed by the Princess, to whom Gofaster was presented. At a signal from the King, Snarlitz and the others fell back, and the Princess added her thanks in a manner that showed her appreciation of the service rendered and but half-concealed admiration for the new-comer.
At command of the King, Gofaster was assigned apartments in the royal palace, and a week thereafter, the faithful tailor having fully stocked his wardrobe, he took possession of them.