THE WINNING OF VANELLA
MY father was a rich merchant, and I naturally expected that he would give me enough to insure me a fair start in life. Consequently, after the celebration of my twenty-first birthday, I was not surprised when he told me that he wished to hold a serious conversation with me in his study. I found him sitting upon his favorite green silk divan.
He motioned to me to be seated.
"My son," he began, "it is time you chose your career."
"Most true, Parent revered," was my answer.
"Unfortunately," he went on, "the pirates have lately captured six of my largest galleys loaded with emeralds, topazes, and notions, and I shall be unable to provide for you as I wished to do. But the money, which it seems was fated to be lost, would have been only a disappointment, and you can now show me what you are capable of doing by your unaided efforts."
"It is an excellent opportunity," I agreed.
"Your brothers, as you know, have already attempted to cope with the world."
"I know," I assented.
"But hitherto I have not told you of their fortunes. The King of a neighboring country seeks a husband for his only daughter, and promises to abdicate as soon as he has found a suitable son-in-law for the place."
"What sort of a son-in-law does his Majesty desire?"
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