He approached the door and knocked, but there was no response, and one would have supposed the palace was uninhabited. He knocked again, but everything was silent except the clamorous echoes which he himself had aroused. Then the prince climbed up to the nearest window, opened the blinds, and found himself in a marvellous saloon which was uninhabited. He pursued his way through beautiful halls and apartments, until he came to a room more beautiful than the rest. On a bed of gold, Mirza was reclining, and as he approached she arose and exclaimed: "Who has dared enter my palace?" "Powerful princess," said the young man, "I am your slave. Do with me as you will." "Who are you?" she cried. "The king of all this country—the most unfortunate of men since I have seen you." At these words the young girl smiled, and from her lips fell a rose. She took a few steps forward, and precious stones covered the carpet where she walked. "What do I see?" exclaimed the prince, filled with astonishment. "Are you not Mirza, my affianced?" "Yes," cried the happy girl, "I am Mirza, who loves you; I am Mirza, whose hand you demanded in marriage through an ambassador." At the remembrance of her misfortunes tears shone in her eyes, and pearls fell therefrom. The prince was overjoyed; he had been deceived, but he was now happy. Mirza told him all, and he would have had the deceitful servants burned at the stake, but the princess interceded for them and they were banished from the country. The prince and Mirza lived long and happily together. XII THE KING OF THE LIONS A Donkey one day thought that the time had come for him to go and seek his fortune; so he broke his halter and ran away into the broad fields. The grass was high and rank, and there was no lack of thistles. Happy over his good fortune, Brother Donkey brayed so loud and so joyously that Mr. Lion, who happened to be passing that way, stopped to inquire what the matter could be. At the sight of Brother Donkey, Mr. Lion was paralyzed with astonishment. Never, in all his wanderings, had he seen such a creature. Mr. Lion looked at Brother Donkey from a distance. Then he approached a little nearer, and finally mustered up courage to say: "Who are you, and what is your name?" "My name is Brother Donkey," replied the other, "and I am the ruler of all Donkeydom." "I do not know that country," said Mr. Lion, "but I myself am a monarch, and the most of the other animals have chosen me for their king." "If that is the case," said Brother Donkey, "we are brothers, and we will continue our travels together." "With the greatest pleasure," responded Mr. Lion. "One can only gain by being in good company."