`` Well , he is the greatest villain in history , '' said Ricardo . `` You must have read about him , sir , the Yellow Dwarf . '' `` Yes , I have certainly studied what is told us about him , '' said the king . `` He is no favourite of mine . '' `` He is the only one , if you notice , sir , of all the scoundrels about whom our ancestors inform us , who escaped the doom which he richly merited at the sword of a good knight . '' You may here remark that , since Dick took to his studies , he could speak , when he chose , like a printed book , which was by no means the case before . `` If you remember , sir , he polished off -- I mean , he slew -- the King of the Golden Mines and the beautiful , though frivolous , Princess Frutilla . All that the friendly Mermaid could do for them was to turn them into a pair of beautiful trees which intertwine their branches . Not much use in that , sir ! And nothing was done to the scoundrel . He may be going on still ; and , with your leave , I 'll go and try a sword-thrust with him . Francalanza says I 'm improving uncommon . '' `` You 'll take the usual Sword of Sharpness , '' said his Majesty . `` What , sir , to a dwarf ? Not I , indeed : a common small sword is good enough to settle him . '' `` They say he is very cunning of fence , '' said the king ; `` and besides , I have heard something of a diamond sword that he stole from the King of the Golden Mines . '' `` Very likely he has lost it or sold it , the shabby little miscreant ; however , I 'll risk it . And now I must make my preparations . '' The king did not ask what they were ; as a rule , they were simple . But , being in the shop of the optician that day , standing with his back to the door , he heard Dick come in and order a pair of rose-coloured spectacles , with which he was at once provided .
The people XXXXX Pantouflia were accustomed to wear them , saying that they improved the complexions of ladies whom they met , and added cheerfulness to things in general .
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