Part 11 (1/2)

Exactly.

TReVELe.

Happy time! Where did they reign?

G.o.dLER.

At Bagdad.

TReVELe.

Thank you.

G.o.dLER.

This king and this queen had an only son, who was to succeed them. This son, 23 years old, took much too seriously his part of heir-presumptive.

But what was the use of having a crown, if, in his turn, he was not to have an heir to leave it to? However, nothing in the young prince indicated the least inclination towards love, legitimate or otherwise.

TReVELe.

He was not like you.

G.o.dLER.

No, he was not like me.

TReVELe.

Go on.

G.o.dLER.

Always study; always reflection; always indifference.

TReVELe.

A strange prince!

G.o.dLER.

The amba.s.sadors opened negotiation upon negotiation uselessly with foreign courts in view of a political alliance. Several young princesses of surrounding countries, of Hindostan, of Persia, and even of Europe....

TReVELe.

How well you relate a thing!

G.o.dLER.

Were waiting full-dressed, their hair well-dressed and splendidly perfumed, for the king of Bagdad to ask their hand for his son. The telegraph replied always: Wait! Wait!