He could hardly believe the news, and, when the meeting was over and he had held his daughter in his arms and knew that it was no dream, but the real, happy truth, he turned to the Prince. “I cannot speak to you now,” he said, “but to-morrow you must tell me the story with your own lips, and, were you to ask me for my kingdom, it should be yours.” The next morning the Ugly Prince was summoned to the old man’s presence. He told the story of the Princess’s rescue, making very light of his own brave deeds, but the King was not easily deceived; and, as he sent also for the little boy, he soon got at the whole truth. “And now,” he said, at the end of the tale, “is there anything in the wide world that I can do for you? My kingdom and all I have is yours if you will only take it. Have you no wish—no matter what it may be—that I can gratify?” “I have loved your daughter since the first moment that I saw her,” said the Ugly Prince. * * * * * One evening the Ugly Prince and the Princess were walking on the terrace of the palace garden. The sunset glowed along the western sky, the birds were twittering in the deepening silence, and the heavy scent of masses of roses which climbed over balconies and pillars steeped the air. A minstrel was singing softly inside one of the open windows, and his song reached them as they stood looking out over the balustrade on to the country lying spread before them. “Do you remember,” said the Prince, “that, when you threw me the Golden Heart, you told me I should have to suffer almost more trouble than I could bear?” “Yes,” she answered. “Well,” continued he, “I nearly gave myself up for lost in the tunnel of rock; but, after all, I came safely through it. And it was a small price to pay for this,” he added, taking her hand. “How brave you are!” said she. He laughed. “But now,” he said, “I cannot imagine anything happier than the present. I have no wish unfulfilled but one, and that is to make you my wife, which I shall do in a few days.” The Princess looked down. “I have one wish ungratified,” she replied. “But you have only to say it,” exclaimed he; “surely you know I would do anything for you—anything. I promise it.” “I can hardly ask you. It would seem as though I did not trust you. It troubles me very much,” she said, with tears in her eyes. “Do not keep anything from me,” he implored. “I cannot be content now until I know what it is. You shall not go from here until you tell me.” “If you would, only once, before our wedding-day, let me see your face.” The Prince groaned. “But you promised,” urged the Princess. For a moment he hesitated, then he turned away and took off the black mask. When he faced her again a shriek rang over the garden and she fell senseless.