I only want to find the way out . '' `` There is no way , or we should have found it , '' said one of the maidens ; `` and , if you are the wrong girl , by the day after to-morrow they must send the right one , otherwise the Earthquaker will waken , and shake the world , and destroy Manoa , the City of the Sun . '' Then they all wept softly in the stillness . `` Can we get anything to eat here ? '' asked poor Jaqueline , at last . She was beginning to be very hungry , and however alarmed she might be , she felt that dinner would not be unwelcome . The tallest of the maidens clapped her hands , and immediately a long table was spread by unseen sprites with meringues and cold chicken , and several sorts of delicious ices . We shall desert Jaqueline , who was rather less alarmed when she found that she was not to be starved , at all events , and return to Prince Ricardo , whom we left fluttering about as a little golden-crested wren . He followed the Giant and Jaqueline into the whirlpool of air as far as he dared , and when he saw her vanish down the cone of the hill , he flew straight back to Pantouflia . CHAPTER IX . Prigio has an Idea . -LCB- Ricardo and Semiramis : p165.jpg -RCB- A weary and way-worn little bird was Prince Ricardo when he fluttered into the royal study window , in the palace of Pantouflia . The king was out at a council meeting ; knowing that Ricardo had the right things , all in good order , he was not in the least anxious about him . The king was out , but Semiramis was in -- Semiramis , the great grey cat , sitting on a big book on the top of the library steps . Now Semiramis was very fond of birds , and no sooner did Ricardo enter and flutter on to a table than Semiramis gathered herself together and made one fell spring at him . She just caught his tail feather . In all his adventures the prince had never been in greater danger . He escaped , but no more , and went flying round the ceiling , looking for a safe place . Finally he perched on a chandelier that hung from the roof . Here he was safe ; and so weary was he , that he put his head under his wing and fell fast asleep .
He was awakened by the return XXXXX the king , who threw himself on a sofa and exclaimed : `` Oh , that Prime Minister !
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