of. The prince was rather surprised at it; but, nevertheless, did not pay much attention to the circumstance. All the ladies of the court lamented his absence. They talked of nothing but Leander, and wished him back again. "Alas," said they, "there are no more pleasures at court now Leander has left it. That wicked Furibon was the cause of his departure. Must he needs hate Leander, because he is more amiable and more beloved than himself? Must Leander dislocate his own bones, and split his mouth from ear to ear, in order to resemble him? screw up his eyes, and pull off his nose, to gratify this little baboon? who will never be happy as long as he lives; for he will never find any one so ugly as he is."
However wicked princes may be, they will always have flatterers, and, indeed, those who are wicked find more parasites than the others. Furibon had his share: his influence over the mind of the queen made them fear him. They told him what the ladies said of him, and put him almost into a frenzy with passion. He rushed into the queen's chamber in this state, and vowed he would kill himself before her eyes, if she did not instantly find some means of destroying Leander. The queen, who hated the poor youth, because he was handsomer than her monkey of a son, replied that she had long looked upon Leander as a traitor, that she would willingly put him to death with her own hand. She advised Furibon to go out hunting with the most trustworthy of his confidants, that Leander would join the chase, and that then they might teach him how to make himself loved by everybody. Furibon accordingly went out hunting. When Leander heard the hounds and horns in the wood, he mounted his horse and rode to see who the hunters were. He was much surprised at meeting suddenly the prince. He dismounted and saluted him respectfully. Furibon received him more graciously than he could have hoped, and bade him follow in his suite. At the same time, turning to the assassins, he made signs to them to make sure of their blow. He then galloped away, when suddenly a lion of an enormous size rushed out of a cavern, and springing upon him pulled him to the ground. His attendants fled in every direction, leaving Leander alone to combat the furious animal. Sword in hand, he advanced at the hazard of being torn to pieces, and by his courage and skill rescued his most cruel enemy.
