Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 4).djvu/663

 "Yes," said Zerbin, "but where is the table?"

"Here I am, here I am!" replied a mellow voice. And a fine mahogany table marched in with all the dignity of a matron, and placed itself before the guests.

"This is charming," said the Princess, "but where are the plates?"

"Here we are, here we are!" cried the little tinkling voices, as thirty dishes, with their sisters, the plates, and their cousins, the knives and forks, and their aunts, the salt-cellars, all took their places in admirable order round the table, upon which stood already game, fruits of all kinds, and flowers.

"My Lord Zerbin," said Mistigris, "you see what I have done for you. All this is my work."

"Story-teller!" cried a voice.

Mistigris looked around, but could see no one; it was the voice of one of the pillars.

"Your Highness," he said, "I think no one can accuse me of insincerity. I have always spoken the truth."

"Storyteller," said the voice.

"This palace is hateful," thought Mistigris. "If walls speak the truth I shall never be minister. I must alter this."

"My Lord Zerbin," he continued, "rather than live in this lonely place, would you not prefer to be surrounded by people who would be your devoted soldiers, and upon whom you could levy taxes."

"What! be a King?" said Zerbin. "What for?"

"Dear Zerbin," said Aleli, "let us remain here; we are both of us very happy."

"All of us," said Mistigris. "I am the happiest of men; when I am with you, I wish for nothing better."

"Story-teller," said the voice.

"Do not listen to this, my Lord," cried Mistigris. "I esteem and respect you, believe me."

"Story-teller," replied the voice, relentlessly.

"Oh, if all you say is untrue," said Zerbin, "be off to the moon, it is the country of lies."

These words were no sooner uttered than Mistigris flew up in the air like an arrow and disappeared above the clouds.

We do not know whether he has ever returned, though certain historians assure us that he has, under another name. One thing is certain, and that is, that he has never been seen in a palace where even the walls speak the truth.

were now left to themselves. Zerbin folded his arms and gazed upon the sea, whilst Aleli gave herself up to sweet daydreams and castles in the air. What dream can be sweeter than to live in an enchanted solitude by the side of one whom you love? Aleli took Zerbin's arm, and set off to inspect her new home. The palace was surrounded with beautiful meadows, through which flowed sparkling