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198 "What a fuss they do make with that bought girl!—just as if she were a princess!"

"What did you say?" cried the prince, seizing the coachman by the arm. "Is Libena not our sister?"

The coachman was frightened; after a moment's hesitation he mumbled that he did not say anything.

"You did," said the prince. "If you do not tell me what it was, I will complain to my father."

"I only said," apologised the coachman, "what the other servants have told me—that his majesty bought the Princess Libena at some village."

Upon hearing this the prince went immediately to seek his brothers.

"Brothers!" he exclaimed with great joy, "I have just heard that Libena is not our sister."

"Then I shall take her for my wife," cried the eldest brother.

"No! I shall take her. I shall take her!" cried the other brothers.

"I am the eldest, and have the greatest right to her," continued the eldest prince. "I will go at once and ask father to give her to me for my wife."

He then went to the king, and his brothers followed him. The king and the queen were much surprised when their sons told them, with great delight, how they had heard that Libena was not their sister.