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290 her regard for Prince Snob led her to tell Prince Paragon a story. So she told him that she had lost the money at play. Prince Paragon spoke to her very kindly and very sorrowfully, and represented to her how unladylike it was to gamble for such high stakes. The good Prince still loved her, and was dreadfully distressed to see her going, not step by step, but staircase by staircase (if I may so express myself), to her ruin. At length, actuated by his sincere regard for her, he refused to advance her any more money, and the miserable Fairy Queen was in utter despair.

A scene ensued with Prince Snob which is almost too terrible for description. However, here it is.

"Ma'am," said the Prince, when he heard that she could supply him with no more money, " I am terribly disappointed in you."

"Dear Snob," said the Fairy Queen, "don't be hard on me. I've done my best—indeed I have."

"Ma'am," said the Prince, "you have done nothing of the kind."

"Indeed, I have borrowed money for you, until I can't induce anyone to lend me any more."

"Yes, you have borrowed money—but you have not yet stolen money. Steal!"

"Oh, Snob, you are joking."

"Do I look as if I were joking? "And indeed he did not. "Steal immediately, or I have done with you."

The Fairy Queen was at last aroused to a sense of her position.

"Prince Snob, you require of me that which is not