But poor Molinda merely cried . Then his majesty was almost driven to say that he would give the reward to whoever produced the hoofs by that day week . But no sooner had he said this than the prince brought them out of his wallet , and displayed them in open Court . This ended the case ; and Benson , after being entertained with sherry and sandwiches in the steward 's room , was sent back to his master . And I regret to say that his temper was not at all improved by his failure to better himself . On the contrary , he was unusually cross and disagreeable for several days ; but we must , perhaps , make some allowance for his disappointment . But if Benson was irritated , and suffered from the remarks of his fellow - servants , I do not think we can envy Prince Prigio . Here he was , restored to his position indeed , but by no means to the royal favour . For the king disliked him as much as ever , and was as angry as ever about the deaths of Enrico and Alphonso . Nay , he was even more angry ; and , perhaps , not without reason . He called up Prigio before the whole Court , and thereon the courtiers cheered like anything , but the king cried : `` Silence ! McDougal , drag the first man that shouts to the serpent-house in the zoological gardens , and lock him up with the rattlesnakes ! '' After that the courtiers were very quiet . `` Prince , '' said the king , as Prigio bowed before the throne , `` you are restored to your position , because I can not break my promise . But your base and malevolent nature is even more conspicuously manifest in your selfish success than in your previous dastardly contempt of duty . Why , confound you ! '' cried the king , dropping the high style in which he had been speaking , and becoming the father , not the monarch , -- `` why , if you could kill the Firedrake , did you let your poor little brothers go and be b -- b -- b -- broiled ? Eh ! what do you say , you sneak ? ` You did n't believe there were any Firedrakes ? '
That just comes XXXXX your eternal conceit and arrogance !
For On about as by if like of than to