Page:A Picture-book without Pictures and Other Stories (1848).djvu/176

 “Ah, that is superbe!” said the Princess when she passed by, “I have never heard prettier compositions! Go in and ask him the price of the instrument; but mind, he shall have no more kisses!”

“He will have a hundred kisses from the Princess!” said the lady who had been to ask.

“I think he is not in his right senses!” said the Princess, and walked on, but when she had gone a little way, she stopped again. “One must encourage art,” said she, “I am the Emperor’s daughter. Tell him he shall, as on yesterday, have ten kisses from me, and may take the rest from the ladies of the court.”

“Oh!—but we should not like that at all!” said they. “What are you muttering?” asked the Princess; “if I can kiss him, surely you can. Remember that you owe everything to me.” So the ladies were obliged to go to him again.

“A hundred kisses from the Princess!” said he, “or else let every one keep his own.”

“Stand round!” said she; and all the ladies stood round her whilst the kissing was going on.