for him. An affection of this kind appeared to him the most dreadful thing in the world. Her confidant, who knew the whole secret, was exasperated with her mistress, for striving to sacrifice the flower of all chivalry.
Fortuné took in the Turkey-leather trunk all that was necessary for his journey. He was not satisfied with dressing himself magnificently; he wished his seven attendants who accompanied him to make as good an appearance: and as they had all of them excellent horses, and Comrade seemed rather to fly through the air, than to gallop over the ground, they arrived in a very little time at the capital city in which the Emperor Matapa resided. It was larger than Paris, Constantinople, and Rome put together, and so populated, that all the cellars, garrets, and lofts were inhabited.
Fortuné was surprised to see a city of such a prodigious extent. He demanded an audience of the Emperor; but when he announced the subject of his embassy, although with a grace which added much to the effect of his arguments, the Emperor could not help smiling. "If you were at the head of five hundred thousand men," said he, "one might listen to you; but they tell me you have but seven." "I never undertook, my Lord," said Fortuné, "to make you restore what my master wishes by force, but by my very humble remonstrances." "Neither one way nor the other," added the Emperor. "You will never succeed, unless you can accomplish something that has just occurred to me. It is, that you should find a man who has so good an appetite, that he can eat for his breakfast all the hot bread baked for the inhabitants of this great city."
The Chevalier was most agreeably surprised at this proposition; but as he did not answer directly, the Emperor burst into a fit of laughter. "You see," said he, "it is natural to return a ridiculous answer to a ridiculous request." "Sire," said Fortuné, "I accept your offer. To-morrow I will bring a man who shall eat all the new bread, and likewise all the stale bread in this city. Order it to be brought into the great square, and you will have the pleasure of seeing him demolish it all, to the very crumbs." The Emperor gave his assent. Nothing was talked of for the rest of the day, but the folly of the new ambassador; and Matapa swore he would put him to death, if he did not keep his word.
