"Without entering into personalities," replied King Sidney, "which are better avoided at all times, I may say that an alliance with a family whose nature is so--er--amphibious could not be seriously entertained by any civilised monarch." "It would be _too_ grotesque!" said Queen Selina, "even in a country like _this_!" "I have set my heart on becoming the Father-in-law of a Prince of the Royal blood," said the Lake King, "and I will not be denied." "Now--now--now," protested King Sidney, "what _is_ the good of taking that tone? If we were in England I should say this was a matter that could be settled in few minutes by our respective solicitors. As it is, you had better tell us how much you'll take to compromise it. I don't admit that your daughter has suffered any material damage--still, if you're reasonable in your ideas of compensation, you'll find us disposed to meet you--as far as we can, you know, as far as we _can_," he added hastily, as he remembered his shrunken gold sacks. "My terms are these," the Lake King answered. "Unless the betrothal of Prince Clarence to my daughter Forelle be proclaimed throughout the City before nightfall, the waters of the Crystal Lake shall overflow and submerge the whole land to the tops of the highest houses. It is for ye to choose." "That would be an outrageous thing to do, if you could do it," said the Queen, "but you know very well you can't!" "Can I not?" retorted the Lake King. "Behold if I have boasted vainly or not!" And he waved his sceptre, which was surmounted by a crystal fish. Instantly the artificial lake came pouring over its marble border, and the Royal Family were ankle-deep in water. "It's no good!" said King Sidney, as the flood spread and threatened to rise higher still, "we've _got_ to give in." "Nothing but the safety of our poor subjects would make me consent," declared the Queen, "but as it is, I must. Stop this horrid flood, and we'll agree to everything!" The water flowed back into the basin at a motion of the Lake King's sceptre. "It is agreed, then," he said, smiling for the first time, "that the betrothal is to be proclaimed before nightfall, and that the nuptials shall take place within eight days?" "Oh, very well," said Queen Selina pettishly, "I can't think your daughter will ever settle down or be really _happy_ with us--but that is _her_ affair, and--and I will try my _best_ to be a Mother to her." "It is enough," said the King of the Crystal Lake, "I have your word. Should ye retract now, what follows will be upon your own heads!" And, with these parting words, he merged into a column of water which towered up as before, its spray falling like fine bronze dust against the now purple sky. "I don't much think I shall ever get on with _him_," was all Clarence could find to say, as they walked back with wet feet. "But Forelle--well, she really isn't at all bad-looking--in her way." "Has she got the same coloured hair as her father?" inquired Edna.