Opening, part 31 · page 21 2101By dint of spying through keyholes and listening at doors, he learned that the king, old and ugly though he was, had fallen in love with the Princess Bella-Flor, who would have nothing to say to him, and had hidden herself in some mountain castle, no one knew where.102'That will do nicely,' thought the scoundrel, rubbing his hands. '103It will be quite easy to get the king to send my brother in search of her, and if he returns without finding her, his head will be the forfeit.104Either way, he will be out of MY path.'105So he went at once to the Lord High Chamberlain and craved an audience of the king, to whom he declared he wished to tell some news of the highest importance.106The king admitted him into the presence chamber without delay, and bade him state what he had to say, and to be quick about it.107'Oh, sire! the Princess Bella-Flor--' answered the man, and then stopped as if afraid.108'What of the Princess Bella-Flor?' asked the king impatiently.109'I have heard--it is whispered at court--that your majesty desires to know where she lies in hiding.'110'I would give half my kingdom to the man who will bring her to me,' cried the king, eagerly. '111Speak on, knave; has a bird of the air revealed to you the secret?'112'It is not I, but my brother, who knows,' replied the traitor; 'if your majesty would ask him--' But before the words were out of his mouth the king had struck a blow with his sceptre on a golden plate that hung on the wall.113'Order Jose to appear before me instantly,' he shouted to the servant who ran to obey his orders, so great was the noise his majesty had made; and when Jose entered the hall, wondering what in the world could be the matter, the king was nearly dumb from rage and excitement.114'Bring me the Princess Bella-Flor this moment,' stammered he, 'for if you return without her I will have you drowned!'115And without another word he left the hall, leaving Jose staring with surprise and horror.116'How can I find the Princess Bella-Flor when I have never even seen her?' thought he. '117But it is no use staying here, for I shall only be put to death.'118And he walked slowly to the stables to choose himself a horse.119There were rows upon rows of fine beasts with their names written in gold above their stalls, and Jose was looking uncertainly from one to the other, wondering which he should choose, when an old white horse turned its head and signed to him to approach.120'Take me,' it said in a gentle whisper, 'and all will go well.'121Jose still felt so bewildered with the mission that the king had given him that he forgot to be astonished at hearing a horse talk.122Mechanically he laid his hand on the bridle and led the white horse out of the stable.123He was about to mount on his back, when the animal spoke again:124'Pick up those three loaves of bread which you see there, and put them in your pocket.'125Jose did as he was told, and being in a great hurry to get away, asked no questions, but swung himself into the saddle.126They rode far without meeting any adventures, but at length they came to an ant-hill, and the horse stopped.1 2← previousOpening, part 30next →Opening, part 32↑ back to The Orange Fairy BookThis page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3027/31/page/2/