CHAPTER XVIII.
_The Very Last_.
The princes returned to Gluckstein on the carpet, and went to the best inn, where they dined together and slept.

Next morning they, and the ambassador, who had been told all the story, and Lady Rosalind, floated comfortably on the carpet back to Falkenstein, where the king wept like anything on the shoulders of Alphonso and Enrico.

They could not make out why he cried so, nor why Lady Molinda and Lady Kathleena cried; but soon they were all laughing and happy again.

But then--would you believe he could be so mean ?--he refused to keep his royal promise, and restore Prigio to his crown-princeship! Kings are like that.
But Prigio, very quietly asking for the head of the Firedrake, said he'd pour the magic water on _that_, and bring the Firedrake back to life again, unless his majesty behaved rightly.

This threat properly frightened King Grognio, and he apologised.