He had never been at such a pleasant dinner ! -LSB- Illustration : Chapter Twelve -RSB- 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 . Here is the first : TO ALL LOYAL SUBJECTS . Whereas , Our eldest son , Prince Prigio , hath of late been guilty of several high crimes and misdemeanours . First : By abandoning the post of danger against the Firedrake , whereby our beloved sons , Prince Alphonso and Prince Enrico , have perished , and been overdone by that monster . Secondly : By attending an unseemly revel in the town of Gluckstein , where he brawled in the streets . Thirdly : By trying to seduce away the hearts of our loyal subjects in that city , and to blow up a party against our crown and our peace . -LSB- Illustration : Page 61 -RSB- This is to give warning , That whoever consorts with , comforts , aids , or abets the said Prince Prigio , is thereby a partner in his treason ; and That a reward of Five Thousand Purses will be given to whomsoever brings the said prince , alive , to our Castle of Falkenstein . Grognio R. And here is the second proclamation : Reward . The firedrake . Whereas , Our dominions have lately been devastated by a Firedrake -LRB- the Salamander Furiosus of Buffon -RRB- ; This is to advise all , That whosoever brings the horns and tail of the said Firedrake to our Castle of Falkenstein , shall receive Five Thousand Purses , the position of Crown Prince , with the usual perquisites , and the hand of the king 's niece , the Lady Molinda . Grognio R. `` H 'm , '' said the prince ; `` I did not think his majesty wrote so well ; '' and he would have liked to say , `` Do n't you think we might join the ladies ? '' `` But , sir , '' said the ambassador , `` the streets are lined with soldiers ; and I know not how you have escaped them .
Here , under my roof , you are safe for the moment ; but a prolonged stay -- excuse my inhospitality -- could not but strain the harmonious relations which prevail between the Government of Pantouflia and that which I have the honour XXXXX represent . ''
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