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504 Princess, my daughter. I swear by all the elements, that if she be beaten I will give every satisfaction to your master." Fortuné did not refuse this challenge; he told the Emperor that he accepted it, and Matapa immediately added that it should be in two hours. He sent to his daughter to get ready—it was an exercise she was accustomed to from her earliest infancy: she appeared in an avenue of orange-trees three leagues long, and which was so beautifully gravelled, that not a stone the size of a pin's head could be seen in it: she had on a light rose-coloured taffety dress, embroidered down the seams with gold and silver spangles; her beautiful hair was tied by a ribbon at the back, and fell carelessly upon her shoulders; she wore extremely pretty little shoes without heels, and a girdle of jewels, which displayed her figure sufficiently to prove there had never been seen one more beautiful—the young Atalanta could never have disputed it with her.

Fortuné arrived, followed by the faithful Swift, and his other attendants. The Emperor took his seat with all his Court. The ambassador announced that Swift would have the honour of running against the Princess. The Turkey-leather trunk had furnished him with a Holland cloth suit trimmed with English lace, flame-coloured silk stockings, feathers to match, and some beautiful linen. In this dress he looked very handsome; the Princess accepted him as her competitor, but before they set off she had some sort of liqueur brought her, which would strengthen, and give her additional speed. Swift said he ought to have some as well, and that the advantages ought to be equal. "Willingly," said she, "I am too just to refuse you." She immediately poured some out for him, but as he was not accustomed to this water, which was very strong, it mounted suddenly into his head; he made two or three turns, and falling down at the foot of an orange-tree, went fast asleep.

In the meanwhile the signal was given for starting. They had already given it three times; the Princess kindly waited for Swift to awake; she thought at last that it was of great consequence to free her father from the perplexity he was in, and accordingly she set off with wonderful grace and speed. As Fortuné was at the other end of the avenue, with all his people, he knew nothing of what was passing, till he saw the Princess running alone, and hardly half a league from