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502 Fortuné, having returned to the ambassador's hotel, where he had taken up his abode, called Eater to him, and said, "Now is the time for thee to prepare thyself to eat bread: everything depends upon it." He thereupon told him what he had promised the Emperor. "Do not make yourself uneasy, master," said Eater; "I shall eat till they will be tired of feeding me." Fortuné, however, could not help fearing the result of his exertions, and forbade them to give him any supper, that he might eat his breakfast the better; but this precaution was useless.

The Emperor, the Empress, and the Princess, placed themselves in a balcony, that they might better see all that took place. Fortuné arrived with his little retinue; and he perceived in the great square six large mountains of bread, higher than the Pyrennees: he could not avoid turning pale. With Eater it had a contrary effect; for the anticipation of eating so much good bread delighted him: he begged they would not keep the smallest morsel from him, declaring he would not leave a bit for a mouse. The Emperor and all the Court amused themselves at the expense of Fortuné and his attendants; but Eater, becoming impatient, demanded the signal to commence. It was given to him by a flourish of drums and trumpets: at the same instant he threw himself upon one of the mountains of bread, which he devoured in less than a quarter of an hour, and gulped down all the rest at the same rate. Never was greater astonishment. Everybody asked if their eyes had not deceived them, and went, to satisfy themselves, by touching the place where they had placed the bread. Every creature that day, from the Emperor to the cat, was compelled to dine without bread.

Fortuné, delighted with his great success, approached the Emperor, and very respectfully asked if it was agreeable for him to keep his word with him. The Emperor, rather irritated at being so duped, said, "Mr. Ambassador, it will not do to eat so much without drinking, therefore you, or some one of your people, must drink all the water out of the fountains, aqueducts, and reservoirs that are in the city, and all the wine that can be found in the cellars." "Sire," said Fortuné, "you are endeavouring to make it impossible for me to obey your orders: however, I would not mind attempting the adventure, if I might flatter myself you would