But I WAS cured.

I awoke one morning from a feverish dream--it was getting near the time for me to lay that tiresome fire and lay that tedious egg upon it--and I saw two people, a man and a woman.

They were sitting on a carpet--and when I accosted them civilly they narrated to me their life-story, which, as you have not yet heard it, I will now proceed to relate.

They were a prince and princess, and the story of their parents was one which I am sure you will like to hear.

In early youth the mother of the princess happened to hear the story of a certain enchanter, and in that story I am sure you will be interested.