"Well then," said the Lady Abracadabra, "upon those terms I will give you a fresh trial. I know a fair, gentle boy, whose temper and disposition the Prince will do well to imitate. His father, foolish man! is anxious to get him a place at court,-little knowing what he desires for him. Methinks it would be well that he should see the experiment tried. It may be of benefit to both parties. So I shall set about it at once.'

And thereupon the Lady Abracadabra gradually faded away, or at any rate seemed to do so, till she wholly disappeared.

CHAPTER III.

Another Heir Started.

"More swift than lightning can I flye

About this aery welkin soone,

And in a minute's space descrye

Each thing that's done below the moone."

Ben Jonson.

MANY and many a mile from King Katzekopf's Court,-in a valley among those Giant Mountains, which separated his territories from the neighbouring kingdoms, stood the Castle of Taubennest, in which, at the date of our tale, dwelt Count Rudolf and his family.

And a happy family they were, all except the Count, who was a discontented man. He had