The Bronze Ring (14)

The Bronze Ring (14)

" It is impossible ! " cried the King.

" Do you wish me to prove what I say ? This young man returned in a vessel which I fitted out for him, an unseaworthy ship with a black battered hull, and sails were infirm and crippled. "

" It is quite true, " said the King.

" It is false, " cried the minister's son. " I do not know this man ! "

" Sure, " said the young captain, " order your daughter's betrothed to be stripped, and see if the mark of my ring is not branded upon his back. "

The King was about to give this order, when the minister's son, to save himself from such an indignity, admitted that the story was true.

" And now, sire, " said the young captain, " do not you recognise me ? "

" I recognise you, " said the Princess ; " you are the gardener's son whom I have always loved, and it is you I wish to marry. "

" Young man, you shall be my son-in-law, " cried the King.
" The marriage festivities are already begun, so you shall marry my daughter this very day. "

And so that very day the gardener's son married the beautiful princess.

(14/22)