You smile, my prince, and you think it vain trouble for an old fellow; that I cannot win the favor of the ladies under any pretension; so you must undertake for me the reconciliation and the hush-money." "I am prepared for any thing which your majesty imposes upon me; only I would defend myself against the interpretation which you give my smile--and--" "Which was very near the truth," interrupted the king.

"I have called you from the banquet of life, and I have interrupted the dancers, crowned with roses in the midst of their dance, which they would finish before you.

I pray you, then, indemnify the enraged beauties, and let us go forth with a quiet conscience, that we in no respect are indebted to any one." "Oh, sire, it will be impossible for me to go to the field with a quiet conscience upon this point." "Permit me to extend to you the means to do so," replied the king, graciously smiling.

"Take this little box; it contains a wonderful elixir, proof against all the infirmities and weaknesses of humanity, of one of the greatest philosophers of human nature.

By the right use of it, tears of sorrow are changed to tears of joy, and a Megerea into a smiling angel, as by enchantment.