the use of the sculptor's girl without life, or of the tailor's dress without speech? You have conferred upon her the greatest gifts—life and speech,—consequently she belongs to you by right."
"You have decided about yourself," said Vanek. "I have given to you speech and new life, consequently you belong to me by right."
Then one of the king's councillors said,—
"His majesty the king will give you a rich reward, because you have succeeded in unloosing his daughter's tongue; but you cannot take her for your wife, because you are of mean birth."
And the king added,—
"Because you are of mean birth I will give you, instead of my daughter, a rich reward."
But Vanek would not even so much as hear of any other reward, and answered,—
"The king promised, without exception, that whoever would make his daughter speak might take her for his wife. The king's word is law: if the king wish that the people should keep the law, he must keep it first himself. Consequently the king must give me his daughter for a wife."
"Guards, seize him!" cried the same councillor.
"Whoever dares to say what the king should do, offends the royal majesty, and is guilty of death. May your
