Page:Fairytales00auln.djvu/565

Rh lemonade would have puzzled you a little." "You would have been much more puzzled, if I had not upset the boats," said Boisterous. "I have been silent till now," interrupted Eater, "but I must remark that it was I who opened the ball in the great events which have passed; and that if I had left but a crust of bread, all would have been lost."

"My friends," said Fortuné, with a commanding air, "you have all done wonders; but we ought to leave it to the King to acknowledge our services. I should be very sorry to be rewarded by any other hand than his. Believe me, let us leave all to his will; he sent us to recover his treasures, and not to steal them. The thought of it even is so shameful, that I am of opinion it should never be mentioned again; and I assure you, I myself will do so much for you, that you will have nothing to regret, if it be possible the King should neglect you."

The seven gifted men, deeply penetrated by their master's remonstrance, fell at his feet, and promised him that his will should be theirs; and with this determination they finished their journey. But the charming Fortuné, as he approached the city, felt agitated by a thousand various anxieties;—the joy at having rendered such a considerable service to the King,—to him for whom he felt so much affection,—the hope of seeing him—of being favourably received,—all this flattered him delightfully. On the other hand, the fear of again irritating the Queen, and experiencing renewed persecutions from her, and from Floride, distressed him very much. At length he arrived; and all the people, overjoyed to see the immense quantity of valuables he had brought back with him, followed him with a thousand acclamations, the noise of which reached the palace.

The King could not believe in so extraordinary an event, and ran to the Queen, to inform her of it. She was at first quite thunderstruck, but afterwards recovered herself a little. "You see," said she, "that the gods protect him: he has fortunately succeeded, and I am not surprised that he undertakes that which appears impossible to others." As she uttered these words, she saw Fortuné enter. He informed their majesties of the success of his journey, adding that the treasures were in the park, as there was so much gold, jewels, and furniture, there were no places sufficiently large to put