At the end the King begged him to relate the story of his enchantment and his sister’s, and he readily consented; whereupon he commenced, without being asked a second time, THE STORY OF THE TALKING SEAL AND HIS SISTER “You must know,” he began-- _“I am very sorry,” said the Princess Dorobel, interrupting, “but it is Bojohn’s bedtime, and I fear we shall have to hear this story another time.”_ _“Oh, mother!” said Bojohn. “I couldn’t go to sleep if I tried. Please don’t--”_ _“No, my dear,” said the Princess Dorobel, “not to-night. Pray go on with Alb’s story, Solario.”_ When the seal’s story was finished (said Alb), the King begged the One-Armed Sorcerer to remain with him as his friend and adviser; and this the sorcerer consented to do. “And now,” said the King, turning to me, “what reward shall be yours? I will deny you nothing.” I knelt before him, and made my request boldly. I knew that my whole future hung upon that moment. “The hand of my lady Princess,” said I, “if she is willing.” “What do you say, my dear?” said the King. The Princess said nothing, but turned red as a rose, and buried her head on her father’s shoulder. She was mine! I took her hand in mine and kissed it. “_That’s_ settled,” said the King. “And you, sir,” said he to the fat young man, “what gift shall I bestow upon you?” “A little more of the custard pie, if you please,” said the fat young man. [Illustration] THE FIFTH NIGHT THE CITY OF DEAD LEAVES _Solario was sitting cross-legged on his worktable, and before him, in a row, sat the Executioner, Bodkin, Bojohn, Prince Bilbo, the Princess Dorobel, and the Queen._ _“This _time,” said Bojohn, “we want to hear the story of Montesango’s Cave.”_ _Solario shook his head. “The story is too dreadful altogether,” said he. “I fear you would lie awake all night if--”_ _“Then tell us about the Roving Griffin,” said Bodkin._ _“Or the Blind Giant,” said Bojohn._ _“I am very curious myself,” said the Princess Dorobel, “to hear the story of the seal and his sister. What do you say, mother?”_