cover, which they at once removed; and the young man made the round

of the company, and pressed these confections upon every one's

acceptance with an exaggerated courtesy. Sometimes his offer was

laughingly accepted; sometimes it was firmly, or even harshly,

rejected. In these latter cases the new-comer always ate the tart

himself, with some more or less humorous commentary.

At last he accosted Prince Florizel.

"Sir," said he, with a profound obeisance, proffering the tart at

the same time between his thumb and forefinger, "will you so far

honour an entire stranger? I can answer for the quality of the

pastry, having eaten two dozen and three of them myself since five

o'clock."

"I am in the habit," replied the Prince, "of looking not so much to

the nature of a gift as to the spirit in which it is offered."

"The spirit, sir," returned the young man, with another bow, "is

one of mockery."

"Mockery?" repeated Florizel. "And whom do you propose to mock?"

"I am not here to expound my philosophy," replied the other, "but

to distribute these cream tarts. If I mention that I heartily

include myself in the ridicule of the transaction, I hope you will

consider honour satisfied and condescend. If not, you will

constrain me to eat my twenty-eighth, and I own to being weary of

the exercise."

"You touch me," said the Prince, "and I have all the will in the

world to rescue you from this dilemma, but upon one condition. If

my friend and I eat your cakes - for which we have neither of us

any natural inclination - we shall expect you to join us at supper

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