“ ‘Proclamation! No. What proclamation?’ rejoined the prince⁠—for he had travelled along the by and little-frequented ways, and knew nothing of what had passed upon the public roads, such as they were.

“ ‘Why,’ replied the peasant, ‘the foreign lady that our prince wished to wed, is married to a foreign noble of her own country, and the king proclaims the fact, and a great public festival besides; for now, of course, Prince Bladud will come back and marry the lady his father chose, who they say is as beautiful as the noonday sun. Your health, sir. God save the king!’