When we were at the end of our repast, and were trifling with our grapes and wine, my black host addressed himself directly to me. I was in a mellow mood; I felt that I could scarcely have denied him anything; and as for his daughter, if she had bade me run for her sake to the ends of the-- Well, the wine was excellent; I sniffed in it the same aroma I had noticed twice before; and I was in consequence of it in that state of peace which in other circumstances would have preceded slumber. My host leaned toward me in the friendliest attitude. _The Black Prince Tells His Story_ “My dear Solario,” said he, “you are asking yourself, all this while, who I am. I am a Prince, heir to the throne of the distant kingdom of Wen. My skin was formerly white, like my daughter’s. It was changed, as you see it now, by the power of an enemy, and I am awaiting here, in exile, with my daughter and my friend, the release which day and night I dream of. If you are not too weary, I will relate to you the adventure which brought me here and changed my skin.” “With all my heart,” said I; whereupon, without further preamble, he commenced THE STORY OF THE BLACK PRINCE “Know, most excellent Solario,” he began, “that my father the King of Wen called me to him one day, and sitting down with me addressed me as follows. ‘My son,’ said he--” _“Is it a long story?” asked the King, yawning behind his hand._ _“It is very interesting,” said the old tailor._ _“Not what I asked,” said the King. “Is it long?”_ _“Well,--well--” said the old man._ _“Then we will hear it another time,” said the King. “Pray let us hear what happened to you.”_ _The old man bowed, quite crestfallen, and proceeded with his story._ _“Oh, shucks,” said Bojohn to Bodkin._ When the Black Prince had concluded his own tale, he paused, and then said to me: “Now, Solario, as to those circumstances of my misfortune which precede the tale I have just told you, I will, if you consent, call on my good friend here, who was personally concerned in them, to relate them to you.” Whereupon he nodded to my companion, who at once commenced THE STORY OF THE COURTEOUS STRANGER “You must know,” he began, “that soon after my arrival at the city of--” _“What has this got to do with your being enchanted by the witch?” said the King._ _“Well,” said Solario, “its bearing on what afterward happened to me is perhaps a little indirect, but I assure your majesty that--”_ _“No, no,” said the King. “I never sit up late, and it’s getting on toward my bedtime.”_ _The old man sighed._ When the Courteous Stranger had finished his story, the Black Prince gazed at me for a moment. “Solario,” said he, “I will tell you the conclusion of the whole matter in a word. To him who shall deliver me from this spell, I will give five hundred thousand pieces of gold, of the money of your country. And, Solario,” he said, bending toward me and pointing at me with his finger, “I believe you are the man.”