Page:The Complete Works of William Makepeace Thackeray Vol.20.pdf/273

Rh The fact is, that when Captain Hedzoff entered into the court of Snapdragon Castle, and was discoursing with King Padella, the Lions made a dash at the open gate, gobbled up the six beef-eaters in a jiffy, and away they went with Rosalba on the back of one of them, and they carried her, turn and turn about, till they came to the city where Prince Giglio’s army was encamped.

When the heard of the  arrival, you may think how he rushed out of his breakfast-room to hand her

Majesty off her Lion! The Lions were grown as fat as pigs now, having had Hogginarmo and all those beef-eaters, and were so tame, anybody might pat them.

While Giglio knelt (most gracefully) and helped the Princess, Bulbo, for his part, rushed up and kissed the Lion. He flung his arms round the forest monarch; he hugged him, and laughed and cried for joy. “Oh, you darling old beast-oh! how glad I am to see you, and the dear, dear Bets—that is, Rosalba.”

“What, is it you, poor Bulbo ?” said the Queen. “Oh, how glad I am to see on!” And she gave him her hand to kiss. King Giglio slapped him most kindly on the back, and said, “Bulbo my boy, I am delighted for your sake, that her Majesty has arrived.”

“So am I,” said Bulbo; “and you know why.” Captain