In a moment these were provided ; he bathed , dressed , drank a glass of wine , packed up the head and tail of the Firedrake , sat down on the flying carpet , and knocked at the door of the English ambassador as the clocks were striking eight in Gluckstein . Punctuality is the politeness of princes ! and a prince is polite , when he is in love ! The prince was received at the door by a stout porter and led into the hall , where several butlers met him , and he laid the mortal remains of the Firedrake under the cover of the flying carpet . Then he was led upstairs ; and he made his bow to the pretty lady , who , of course , made him a magnificent courtesy . She seemed prettier and kinder than ever . The prince was so happy , that he never noticed how something went wrong about the dinner . The ambassador looked about , and seemed to miss someone , and spoke in a low voice to one of the servants , who answered also in a low voice , and what he said seemed to displease the ambassador . But the prince was so busy in talking to his lady , and in eating his dinner too , that he never observed anything unusual . He had never been at such a pleasant dinner ! CHAPTER XII . A Terrible Misfortune . When the ladies left , and the prince and the other gentlemen were alone , the ambassador appeared more gloomy than ever . At last he took the prince into a corner , on pretence of showing him a rare statue . `` Does your royal highness not know , '' he asked , `` that you are in considerable danger ? '' `` Still ? '' said the prince , thinking of the Firedrake . The ambassador did not know what he meant , for he had never heard of the fight , but he answered gravely : `` Never more than now . '' Then he showed the prince two proclamations , which had been posted all about the town . -LCB- The ambassador showing the Prince the proclamation : p82.jpg -RCB- Here is the first : TO ALL LOYAL SUBJECTS .
Whereas , Our eldest son , Prince Prigio , hath XXXXX late been guilty of several high crimes and misdemeanours .
TO about at by in into of on that under