Page:Foggerty.djvu/288

284 Prince bowed. "We want to know all about the wickedness of the world, and we have sent for you that you may give us some information on the subject."

"Ah," said the Prince. "Exactly. Do you want to know everything?"

"Everything!" they all exclaimed.

"Do you insist on my telling you everything?"

"Most decidedly."

"What shall I begin with? Love?"

"Sir!" exclaimed the Queen of the Fairies, "you forget that you are addressing ladies."

"Pardon me," said the Prince, "but if the bare mention of love shocks you, I think I would rather leave the selection of the matters on which you wish to be instructed in your hands."

"What was the nature of the business on which you were proceeding when we interrupted you?" said Queen Mary.

"I was going to fight a duel. I was going to kill a man if I could, and he was going to kill me if he could."

"A duel!" exclaimed the Queen. "Horrible! And why were you going to fight this duel?"

"Well," said the Prince, "there was a lady in the case."

"Stop!" said the Queen, much shocked. " Go onto something else. Are you in debt? You don't mind my speaking openly?"

"Not at all—Oh, yes; I'm in debt."

"You owe more than you can pay?"

"I'm afraid I do."

"Well!" said the Queen. "Upon my word! And how did that come to pass?"