by many who has slept well below my roof,' continued the old

gentleman, mounting the stairs before his guest; 'for good food,

honest wine, a grateful conscience, and a little pleasant chat

before a man retires, are worth all the possets and apothecary's

drugs. See, sir,' and here he opened a door and ushered Otto into a

little white-washed sleeping-room, 'here you are in port. It is

small, but it is airy, and the sheets are clean and kept in

lavender. The window, too, looks out above the river, and there's

no music like a little river's. It plays the same tune (and that's

the favourite) over and over again, and yet does not weary of it

like men fiddlers. It takes the mind out of doors: and though we

should be grateful for good houses, there is, after all, no house

like God's out-of-doors. And lastly, sir, it quiets a man down like

saying his prayers. So here, sir, I take my kind leave of you until

to-morrow; and it is my prayerful wish that you may slumber like a

prince.'

And the old man, with the twentieth courteous inclination, left his

guest alone.

CHAPTER III - IN WHICH THE PRINCE COMFORTS AGE AND BEAUTY AND

DELIVERS A LECTURE ON DISCRETION IN LOVE

THE Prince was early abroad: in the time of the first chorus of

birds, of the pure and quiet air, of the slanting sunlight and the

mile-long shadows. To one who had passed a miserable night, the

freshness of that hour was tonic and reviving; to steal a march upon

his slumbering fellows, to be the Adam of the coming day, composed

and fortified his spirits; and the Prince, breathing deep and

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